Pueraria, Thailand's youth-promoting herb for women

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