At an outdoor market in Thailand, I examined what looked like large, dried yams. “Pueraria mirifica,” my botanist friend remarked. “Women use it, especially as they age.” He made a comment to the woman selling the herb, and she pointed to her breasts with a friendly smile. I was unsure how to take that.

Thailand’s most famous herb, Pueraria mirifica (Pueraria for short) belongs to the same family as soy, and contains the same estrogen-like compounds genistein and daidzein, found in that popular bean. But Pueraria also contains miroestrol and deoxymiroestrol, which possess even higher estrogenic activity. These natural agents function like estrogen in the body. Thus Pueraria plays a valuable role in the health of women approaching menopause, or during menopause. At this time of life, estrogen levels drop, and women experience reduced suppleness of skin, diminished sex drive and lubrication, and mood swings as well.

In Thailand, Pueraria is known as an age retarding agent. Women who use Pueraria report improved breast firmness, increased suppleness of skin, more lustrous hair, increased lubrication, and elevated sex drive. Toxicity tests show that Pueraria is safe at recommended levels, and human clinical studies show that Pueraria does in fact improve physical and mood symptoms of menopause.

The two most popular uses for Pueraria among Thai women concern improved breast firmness and enhanced sexual function. Accounts of improved breast firmness resulting from a daily dose of only 100 milligrams of the root are too numerous to ignore. For the claims of improved sexual function, there is some clinical evidence.

Thailand’s Ministry Of Public Health, similar to our own NIH, unreservedly endorses Pueraria, and has devoted a great deal of science to this herb. With a long history of safe use and a low dose required, Pueraria mirifica seems well worth trying for women approaching menopause.