Butea Superba

Last Updated: September 28 2022

Butea Superba (Red Kwao Krua) is a herb from Thai medicine sometimes thought to be the male equivalent of Pueraria Mirifica, a phytoestrogen known as White Kwao Krua; evidence for Butea Superba for these claims is lacking.

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Butea Superba is most often used for

Summary

Butea Superba is a tuber vegetable that looks visibly similar to Pueraria Mirifica yet appears to be opposite in effect. This tuber has traditionally been used for the enhancement of male vitality and as an aphrodisiac in Thailand, and appears to be a source of androgenic compounds.

When studies investigated the androgenic effects, there appears to be the classical signs of direct androgenic activation (particularly, an increase in liver enzymes in some studies and growth of male sex organs; a decrease in testosterone levels in serum has been noted possibly due to negative feedback) but unlike its sister herb (Pueraria Mirifica) the bioactives mediating these androgenic effects are not currently known nor are their potencies relative to testosterone known.

Low doses of Butea Superba appear to be safe for human consumption, based on limited evidence, although higher doses have been connected to mutagenicity in mice (300-1000mg/kg, a human equivalent of 48mg/kg or above) and as such are not advisable.

Both studies on Butea Superba and its erectogenic effects appear to have their flaws, so although this herb could potentially be an erectogenic aid it is currently not proven to do so.

What else is Butea Superba known as?
Note that Butea Superba is also known as:
  • Red Kwao Krua
Butea Superba should not be confused with:
Dosage information

There is not enough information to recommend supplementation of butea superba, but it appears to be traditionally used in the range of 100-250mg. The exact bioactives that underlie its effects are not known

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References
3.^Ngamrojanavanich N, Loontaisong A, Pengpreecha S, Cherdshewasart W, Pornpakakul S, Pudhom K, Roengsumran S, Petsom ACytotoxic constituents from Butea superba RoxbJ Ethnopharmacol.(2007 Jan 19)
6.^Nuengchamnong N, de Jong CF, Bruyneel B, Niessen WM, Irth H, Ingkaninan KHPLC coupled on-line to ESI-MS and a DPPH-based assay for the rapid identification of anti-oxidants in Butea superbaPhytochem Anal.(2005 Nov-Dec)
8.^Ingkaninan K, Temkitthawon P, Chuenchom K, Yuyaem T, Thongnoi WScreening for acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity in plants used in Thai traditional rejuvenating and neurotonic remediesJ Ethnopharmacol.(2003 Dec)
9.^Tocharus C, Smitasiri Y, Jeenapongsa RButea superba Roxb. enhances penile erection in ratsPhytother Res.(2006 Jun)
10.^Tocharus C, Sooksaen P, Shimbhu D, Tocharus JButea superba (Roxb.) improves penile erection in diabetic ratsAndrologia.(2012 May)
11.^Cortés-González JR, Arratia-Maqueo JA, Gómez-Guerra LS, Holmberg ARThe use of Butea superba (Roxb.) compared to sildenafil for treating erectile dysfunctionBJU Int.(2010 Jan)
12.^Goswami SK, Pandre MK, Jamwal R, Dethe S, Agarwal A, Inamdar MNScreening for Rho-kinase 2 inhibitory potential of Indian medicinal plants used in management of erectile dysfunctionJ Ethnopharmacol.(2012 Dec 18)
14.^Manosroi A, Sanphet K, Saowakon S, Aritajat S, Manosroi JEffects of Butea superba on reproductive systems of ratsFitoterapia.(2006 Sep)
15.^Cherdshewasart W, Bhuntaku P, Panriansaen R, Dahlan W, Malaivijitnond SAndrogen disruption and toxicity tests of Butea superba Roxb., a traditional herb used for treatment of erectile dysfunction, in male ratsMaturitas.(2008 Jun 20)
16.^Malaivijitnond S, Ketsuwan AN, Watanabe G, Taya K, Cherdshewasart WAndrogenic activity of the Thai traditional male potency herb, Butea superba Roxb., in female ratsJ Ethnopharmacol.(2009 Jan 12)
17.^Malaivijitnond S, Ketsuwan A, Watanabe G, Taya K, Cherdshewasart WLuteinizing hormone reduction by the male potency herb, Butea superba RoxbBraz J Med Biol Res.(2010 Sep)
18.^Chaiyasit K, Wiwnaitkit VHyperandrogenemia due to ingestion of Butea superbaIndian J Endocrinol Metab.(2012 May)
19.^Cherdshewasart W, Mahapanichkul T, Boonchird CEstrogenic and anti-estrogenic activities of the Thai traditional herb, Butea superba RoxbBiosci Biotechnol Biochem.(2010)
20.^Cherdshewasart W, Sutjit W, Pulcharoen K, Chulasiri MMutagenic and antimutagenic effects of the traditional herb used for treating erectile dysfunction, Butea superba RoxbBiosci Biotechnol Biochem.(2010)
21.^Pongpanparadon A, Aritajat S, Saenphet KThe toxicology of Butea superba, RoxbSoutheast Asian J Trop Med Public Health.(2002)