In hormone replacement therapy, the benefits outweigh the risks. However, if you seek a natural alternative and if you want to rule out any of the above-mentioned risks, you may want to consider pueraria mirifica as an HRT.

Pueraria mirifica is an herb that has been used traditionally as a rejuvenating agent and vitality enhancer, especially for older women. It is also called kwao krua, kwao keur, kwao kruea, or white kwao krua. The herb is an excellent phytoestrogen (including soy isoflavones) source, yet it also contains chromenes – a phytoestrogen class that rivals estrogen in potency.

Alternative medicine proponents assert that pueraria mirifica is a potent antioxidant that can neutralize free radicals that can harm the body’s cells. Aside from its pro-estrogenic qualities, the herb’s antioxidant effects are deemed useful to treat women-specific conditions like:

• Hot flashes
• High cholesterol
• Mood swings
• Low libido
• Vaginal dryness
• Osteoporosis

A 12-week study that was conducted on 82 postmenopausal women in 2017 – published in Menopause – stated that a vaginal gel with pueraria mirifica was almost as effective as conjugated estrogen cream to prevent vaginal atrophy.

Another similar study was also conducted previously involving a double-blind, randomized, and placebo-controlled study with 71 post-menopausal women for a 24-week period. The study determined that pueraria mirifica exhibited estrogenicity to relieve vaginal dryness and improve vaginal atrophy signs.

Pueraria mirifica can positively affect blood cholesterol levels. In a 2008 Japanese study on 17 postmenopausal women, they were given a placebo or a pueraria mirifica supplement for two months.

At the study’s end, the women on pueraria mirifica showed a 17% drop in LDL (bad) cholesterol and a 34% increase in HDL (good cholesterol). The herb seems to mimics estrogen in the body by raising the rate by which sugar and carbohydrates are metabolized.

Theoretically, this can lower cholesterol while controlling blood sugar and promoting weight loss. However, more studies need to be conducted.

Estrogen is also vital to regulate bone turnover. There is evidence in a 2016 Journal of Endocrinology study, which determined that bone loss slowed significantly in osteoporotic postmenopausal monkeys after being on a 16-week diet aided with pueraria mirifica powder.

Likewise, a 2007 study published on the Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand found that the high dose consumption of pueraria mirifica in Japanese quails led to increased calcium levels in short tibial bones, serum, and delay in epiphysis. Other studies reported positive effects on blood chemistry profiles: cholesterol, protein, and calcium.

As with the benefits, further studies are needed to analyze the side effects that come with taking pueraria mirifica. Because it has estrogen properties, some side effects may include cramps, bloating, headache, breast tenderness, irregular periods, and weight changes.

The herb should also not be used during breastfeeding or pregnancy. Women with estrogen-sensitive conditions like ovarian cancer, breast cancer, uterine fibroids, and endometriosis should also not take pueraria mirifica.

The supplement is legal and is sold as a dietary supplement in the United States. Health food stores sells pueraria mirifica in tablet, capsule, and soft gel forms. It also comes in topical creams and serum. Instead of for vaginal purposes, most topical products are meant for the breasts or face.

Oral supplements are sold in 100mg to 1,000mg range doses. Currently, there are no guidelines on pueraria mirifica’s appropriate use. Studies suggested that humans can safely consume 50mg a day. Generally, begin taking with the lowest dose and gradually increase dosage if needed.