Kudzu what is it good for

For over a decade, our team has combed through thousands of research articles published in reputable journals. To help you make educated decisions, and to better understand controversial or confusing supplements, our medical experts have digested the science into these three easy-to-follow ratings. We hope this provides you with a helpful resource to make informed decisions towards your health and well-being.

For a supplement, little scientific support. Kudzu is most famous as a quick-growing weed in the southern United States. Alcoholic hamsters one of the few animals to become so besides humans were found to have decreased interest in drinking when fed kudzu extract.

Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners generally recommend 3 to 5 grams of root three times per day; some herbal practitioners also suggest that 3 to 4 ml of tincture taken three times per day may also be helpful to reduce alcohol cravings.

Nonetheless, a double-blind trial using 1. On the other hand, supplementing with a kudzu extract 1, mg three times a day for seven days significantly reduced the amount of beer consumed by heavy alcohol drinkers in a short-term experiment.

Kudzu is used in modern Chinese medicine as a treatment for angina. Standardized root tablets 10 mg tablet is equivalent to 1. Kudzu root has been known for centuries in Traditional Chinese Medicine as ge-gen. The first written mention of the plant as a medicine is in the ancient herbal text of Shen Nong circa A. 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 , thirst, headache, and stiff neck with pain due to high blood pressure.

The historical application for drunkenness has become a major focal point of modern research on kudzu. It is also used in modern Chinese medicine as a treatment for angina pectoris. 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. A animal study showed that both daidzin and daidzein inhibit the desire for alcohol. However, a small controlled clinical trial with alcoholic adults taking 1.

The Chinese Pharmacopoeia suggests 9—15 grams of kudzu root per day. Some sources recommend 30— mg of the extract two to three times per day. Yaoxue Xuebao ; Daidzin and daidzein suppress free-choice ethanol intake by Syrian Golden hamsters. This effect has been seen in other studies as well. In some instances, even a single dose of kudzu extract reduced alcohol consumption and prevented binge drinking 4 , 5.

Thus, scientists need to do more research in this area on the effects of kudzu root specifically. Kudzu root is rich in antioxidants , compounds that protect cells from oxidative stress that can lead to disease. The isoflavone puerarin is the most abundant antioxidant compound in the kudzu vine 6. One study in mice found that kudzu vine extract was highly beneficial in treating alcohol-induced liver damage by scavenging harmful free radicals and boosting the natural antioxidant system 6.

Some health companies sell the kudzu root species Pueraria mirifica as a supplement for menopausal and postmenopausal women.

Kudzu root contains phytoestrogens , plant compounds that scientists have found act similarly to estrogen in the human body 7 , 8. Kudzu root may help treat some of the most common menopausal complaints, including hot flashes and night sweats. Small studies in people have observed noteworthy improvements in these menopausal symptoms, among others, like vaginal dryness 9 , However, other research has found inconclusive evidence for this use While scientists need to do more research on the health effects of kudzu, some studies suggest that kudzu root may have other health benefits worth considering.

Kudzu root may help treat alcohol dependence, liver damage, and menopausal symptoms. Scientists need to do more human studies to determine its effectiveness in other areas, like inflammation, heart health, and headaches. While kudzu root may offer a few specific benefits, there are also some potential downsides to consider.

There is some evidence that kudzu root dietary supplements may cause liver injury. One study in mice found that taking 10 mg per day of kudzu root extract for 4 weeks caused liver toxicity In one human case study, a previously healthy year-old man went to the hospital with liver injury after taking mistletoe extract for 1 month and kudzu root extract for 10 days Scientists need to do more research to investigate the potential of kudzu root to cause liver injury in humans.

Kudzu root may also interact with certain medications. For instance, it may reduce the effectiveness of birth control due to its estrogenic effects 8 , Anecdotal sources also note that kudzu root may lower blood sugar too much or slow down blood clotting.

However, there is no available scientific evidence for this. Nevertheless, it may be a good idea to avoid if you use blood thinning or diabetes medications. Kudzu root may increase the risk of liver injury or interact with certain medications, like birth control.

Anecdotal sources say it may also be harmful to take with medications for diabetes or blood clotting. Speak with a healthcare provider before taking it.

Some research specifically on the kudzu species Pueraria mirifica suggests that doses of 50— mg per day appear to have a low risk of adverse side effects For targeting alcohol dependence, studies have used dosages of 1. Scientists need to do more research on the safe and effective dosages of kudzu root for various uses. There is no standard dosing for kudzu root. Various studies have used single, one-time doses or daily doses for a week without reported adverse effects.

Kudzu root Gegen in Chinese is the dried root of Pueraria lobata Willd. Ohwi, a semi-woody, perennial and leguminous vine native to South East Asia. It is often used interchangeably in traditional Chinese medicine with thomson kudzu root Fengen in Chinese , the dried root of P.

For more than years, kudzu root has been used as a herbal medicine for the treatment of fever, acute dysentery, diarrhoea, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.