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Kudzu | | |
Kudzu is a coarse, high-climbing, twining, trailing, perennial vine. The
huge root, which can grow to the size of a human, is the source of
medicinal preparations used in traditional Chinese medicine and modern
herbal products. Kudzu grows in most shaded areas in mountains, fields,
along roadsides, thickets, and thin forests throughout most of China and
the southeastern United States. The root of another Asian species of
kudzu, Pueraria thomsonii, is also used for herbal
products.(1)
Kudzu is cooked as food in China, and also is used as
a traditional Chinese medicine herb. In the United States, however, kudzu
has become an invasive pest. This perennial vine that has choked out other
vegetation and killed trees has been the subject of recent study. Long
used in traditional Chinese medicine for conditions such as hypertension,
neck and backaches, and coronary heart disease, kudzu has been shown to be
effective in curbing alcohol consumption. The amazing results of a recent
clinical trial that took place at McLean Hospital in Belmont Massachusetts
were just released: in a naturalistic laboratory setting, kudzu
supplementation led to fewer beers consumed, smaller sips, and a greater
amount of time between sips.
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| Common Name | | | Kudzu
| | | Botanical Latin Name / Classification | | | Pueraria lobata
| | | Parts Used | | | Roots, vines and flowers
| | | Other Names | | | Kuzu (Japanese), Pueraria, Gat Gun, Ge Gan, Ge-Gen, Gwat Gun,
Mile-a-minute Vine, Foot-a-night Vine, Vine that ate the south.
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| | | Description | | | Kudzu is one of about 20 species in the genus Pueraria in the pea family
Fabaceae, sub-family Faboideae. It is native to southern Japan and
southeast China in eastern Asia. The name comes from the Japanese
"kuzu", meaning "vine".
Kudzu is a climbing,
woody or semi-woody perennial vine capable of reaching heights of 20 - 30
meters in trees, but also scrambles extensively over lower vegetation. The
leaves are deciduous, alternate and compound, with a leaf stem of 10 - 20
centimeters long and three broad leaflets that are 14 - 18 centimeters in
length and 10 centimeters in width. The kudzu flowers are 10 - 25
centimeters long with 30 - 80 individual blooms at the nodes on the stems.
Each flower is about 1 - 1.5 centimeters long, purple in color and highly
fragrant.
The non-woody parts of the plant are edible with the
young leaves being used for salads or cooked as a leaf vegetable. The
flowers are battered and fried (like squash flowers); and the roots can be
prepared as with any root vegetable.
Kudzu is sometimes referred to
as 'the plant that ate the south,' a reference to how kudzu's explosive
growth has been most prolific in the southeastern United States due to
nearly ideal growing conditions. Significant sums of money and effort are
spent each growing season to prevent kudzu from taking over roads,
bridges, power lines and local vegetation.
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| | | Traditional Internal Uses | | | Studies have shown that kudzu can reduce both hangovers and alcohol
cravings. The mechanism for this is not yet established, but it may have
to do with both alcohol metabolism and the reward circuits in the brain.
Kudzu also contains a number of useful isoflavones, including daidzein (an
anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial agent), daidzin (a cancer
preventitive) and genistein (an antileukemic agent). Kudzu is also a
unique source of a fourth isoflavone, puerarin. Kudzu root compounds can
affect neurotransmitters (including serotonin, GABA and glutamate) and it
has shown value in treating migraine and cluster headaches. Kudzu has
traditionally been used for a variety of condition including migraine,
hypertension (high blood pressure), pain and stiffness in the neck and
shoulders, allergies, and angina.
The first written mention of the
plant as a medicine is in the ancient herbal text of Shen Nong (circa
A.D.100).
In traditional Chinese medicine, kudzu root is used in
prescriptions for the treatment of "wei", or
"superficial" syndrome (a disease that manifests just under the
surface - mild, but with fever).1 It has also been used in the treatment
of tinnitus and vertigo.
Official in the 1985 Chinese
Pharmacopoeia, kudzu root or "ge-gen" is traditionally used as a
diaphoretic for fevers accompanied by discomfort or pain in the neck and
back. It is also used to relieve thirst caused by fevers, and for
hypertensive headaches, and coronary heart disease.
Experimentally,
intravenous injections of the active component of the root (flavonoids,
including daidzin, daidzein, and puerarin) reduces blood pressure and
venous obstruction. Oral administration of the crude root slightly reduces
blood pressure.
Kudzu is used as a folk remedy to sober-up an
unconscious drunk. For this purpose the root is pulverized to obtain the
fresh juice, enough to obtain 12 shot-glassfuls. This treatment is said to
help the drunk regain consciousness (Foster and Yue 1992).
In many
parts of Asia, kudzu is roasted in a dry pan in order to make an excellent
tonic for the spleen, and to help treat diarrhea. Kudzu is both a
traditional Chinese herb and a food in China. Cooked as a food, it is used
as a thickening agent in making sauces, soups and puddings. It can be used
as a starch for people who do not digest grains well. The young leaves,
shoots, and flowers can be steamed or sautéed as a vegetable. They
may also be pickled.
The roots of the kudzu vine provide a fiber
for the textile industry. The process for extracting the starch from the
roots is tedious and can take up to 120 days, during which it is chopped,
washed, pounded into a mass, and filtered up to 50 times.
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| | | Indications | | | Primary Indications: Alcoholism
Secondary Indications: Angina Pectoris (Chest Pain)
Secondary Indications: Back Pain
Other Indications: Diarrhea (Diarrhoea)
Fever
Other Indications: Food Allergies / Sensitivities
Secondary Indications: Healthy Heart Support, Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
Other Indications: Measles
Secondary Indications: Migraine Headache Support
Other Indications: Spleen Disorders
Thirst
Secondary Indications: Vein Health / Venous Insufficiency
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| | | Actions | | | Alexteric
Antemetic, Anti-Arrhythmic, Anti-Diarrheal, Anti-Emetic, Anticonvulsant, Antidote (Anti-Toxic), Antioxidant, Antipyretic, Antispasmodic, Antiviral
Cardiotonic
Demulcent, Detoxifying, Diaphoretic
Digestive, Diuretic, Emetic, Febrifuge
Galactogogue
Hypoglycemic (Anti-Hyperglycemic), Hypotensive (Anti-Hypertensive), Immunity-enhancing
Nervine, Refrigerant, Sialagogue
Vaso-Protective, Vasodilator
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| | | Constituents / Nutrients | | | Kudzu contains the following phytochemicals:
The primary chemical
constituents of kudzu include starch, isoflavonoids, puerarin, daidzein,
and phytoestrogens. Kudzu root is high in isoflavones, such as daidzein,
as well as isoflavone glycosides, such as daidzin and puerarin. Depending
on its growing conditions, the total isoflavone content varies from 1.77
to 12%, with puerarin in the highest concentration, followed by daidzin
and daidzein.2
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| | | Pharmacological Summary | | | Extracts of kudzu containing a variety of isoflavones have been shown to reduce alcohol drinking in rats and hamsters. The reason for the success of kudzu, where alcohol consumption is concerned, is that the weed contains isoflavones which naturally reduced the urge to consume alcohol in research subjects. Until very recently, this effect has been limited to animal test subjects. For humans, recent clinical trials at McLean Hospital in Belmont Massachusetts have concluded that an extract of this leguminous plant may be a useful adjunct in reducing alcohol intake in a naturalistic setting.
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| | | Scientific Research and Pharmacologicial Actions | | | In 1992, the Shin-Yang University in China issued a press release stating
that two professors of psychiatry had reduced the alcohol-intake of
alcohol-preferring rats by giving them a compound derived from a mixture
of seven Chinese herbs, including kudzu. In the next six months, David
Overstreet and Amir Rezvani fielded more than 60 telephone calls, mostly
from people who wanted to get some of the mixture for a friend or
relative. The callers thought that their loved ones could "take this
medicine and maintain the myth that they're not alcoholic,"
Overstreet says, "because they're taking something that's natural and
good for you." The idea of using an herbal remedy to help fight
alcoholism might sound strange. But many modern medicines, including
aspirin and morphine, were derived from plants or herbal preparations,
Rezvani says. In 1992, the National Institutes of Health established the
Office of Alternative Medicine, which awards small grants for the study of
treatments such as herbal medicine, hypnosis and acupuncture.
In
May 2005, the Research Society on Alcoholism conducted a study wherein
both male and female "heavy" drinkers were treated with either a
placebo or kudzu for a period of seven days and then given the opportunity
to drink their preferred brand of beer or wine in a naturalistic
laboratory setting. It was found that kudzu treatment resulted in a
significant reduction in the number of drinks consumed and an increase in
the number or sips it took a participant to consume their beverage and
also increase in the length of time it took a participant to consume their
beverage. This data suggests that kudzu may be a useful adjunct in
reducing alcohol intake. Kudzu is now gaining notoriety for lessening the
pain in those who suffer with migraine headaches and/or cluster headaches.
After discovering that kudzu contains serotonin, some long-time sufferers
tried kudzu and achieved promising results. Among the first 20 users,
approximately 70 percent reported an improvement.
A widely
publicized 1993 animal study showed that both daidzin and daidzein inhibit
the desire for alcohol.3 The authors concluded the root extract may in
fact be useful for reducing the urge for alcohol and as treatment for
alcoholism.
Kudzu flowers have been shown to be effective in
lessening the desire for alcohol, and thus are used in the treatment of
alcoholism. This herb also helps counteract poisons. A recent study
conducted by Harvard Medical Center indicates that kudzu can help reduce
the craving for alcohol. Of the available medications for treating
alcohol-related problems, none are universally effective, and all have
side effects that may limit their use. Extracts of kudzu containing a
variety of isoflavones have been shown to reduce alcohol drinking in rats
and hamsters.
Method: The study was designed to test the
efficacy of a kudzu extract in a clinical population. Male and female
"heavy" alcohol drinkers were treated with either placebo or a
kudzu extract for 7 days and then given an opportunity to drink their
preferred brand of beer while in a naturalistic laboratory setting.
Participants served as their own controls, and order of treatment exposure
was counterbalanced. Drinking behavior was monitored by a digital scale
that was located in the top of an end table.
Results: Kudzu
treatment resulted in significant reduction in the number of beers
consumed that was paralleled by an increase in the number of sips and the
time to consume each beer and a decrease in the volume of each sip. These
changes occurred in the absence of a significant effect on the urge to
drink alcohol. There were no reported side effects of kudzu treatment.4
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| | | Research | | | "Kudzu Helps Curb Binge Drinking"
"Turning Off Cravings For Alcohol?"
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| | | Precautions / Contraindications | | | Kudzu is considered safe for long-term use, although it is advised that
pregnant women avoid taking this herb. Anyone already taking prescription
medication, should consult a qualified healthcare practitioner before
taking kudzu supplements.
This medicinal plant has been used for
centuries in Asia and is not likely to cause harm when taken in commonly
recommended dosages and forms.
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| | | Interaction with Medications | | | Consult a qualified healthcare specialist, preferably one who is
well-versed in herbal medicine, to identify any specific adverse
interactions between kudzu and other herbs or prescription drugs that you
are already taking.
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| | | Possible Side Effects | | | None reported. Do not exceed recommended dosages.
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| | | Dosage | | | The 1985 Chinese Pharmacopoeia suggests 9-15 grams of kudzu root per day.5
In China, standardized root extracts (10 mg tablet is equivalent to 1.5
grams of the crude root) are used to treat angina
pectoris.
Dried Extract: Kudzu root capsules are generally
available in strengths that range from 500 to 1200 mg or higher. Within
herbal blends, quantities of kudzu root are significantly smaller.
Typically, a capsule strength of 400 to 600 mg is recommended to be taken
3 times daily. Some sources recommend a lower dosage of 30 to 120 mg of
the extract two to three times per day.5
Liquid Extract: For
alcoholism, 1 tsp. alcohol-free liquid extract 3 times daily.
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| | | Preparation | | | For an energizing tea, stir 1 teaspoon of kudzu into 1 cup cool water. Add
1/2 fresh grated ginger root and a few drops of tamari. Stir while
heating. Drink 1 cup daily.
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| | | References | | | 1. Foster S. Kudzu root monograph. Quart Rev Nat Med
1994;Winter:303-8.
2. Zhao SP, Zhang YZ. Quantitative TLC-densitometry
of isoflavones in Pueraria lobata (Willd.) Ohwi. Yaoxue Xuebao
1985;20:203-8.
3. Keung WM, Vallee BL. Daidzin and daidzein suppress
free-choice ethanol intake by Syrian Golden hamsters. Proc Natl Acad Sci
USA 1993;90:10008-12.
4. Lukas SE, Penetar D, Berko J, Vicens L,
Palmer C, Mallya G, Macklin EA, Lee DY. An extract of the Chinese herbal
root kudzu reduces alcohol drinking by heavy drinkers in a naturalistic
setting. Behavioral Psychopharmacology Research Laboratory, McLean
Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts 02478, USA. Alcohol Clin Exp Res. 2005
May;29(5):756-62.
5. Leung AY, Foster S. Encyclopedia of Common
Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics, 2d ed. New York:
John Wiley & Sons, 1996, 333-6.
Our thanks to the following
information resources: One-Garden.org, Vitacost.com,
WholehealthMD.com, Wikipedia.org, and American Botanical Council
(Herbalgram.org).
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| | 1 product | | | Kudzu (Read all about Kudzu.)
Botanical Latin Name: Pueraria lobata
Plant Part: Roots, vines and flowers | |
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Shea Butter (100% Natural & Unrefined) Enriched with Kudzu Root
2 oz / 57 g
Moisturizing and Emollient Effects Enhanced by Kudzu Root!
14.60 US
More Info
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