Kudzu (Pueraria montana) is a member of the bean family which has been called 'The Vine That Ate the South.' Kudzu vines have been known to grow a foot a day during the summer months, choking out nutrients and sunlight to neighboring trees and plants. Thousands of acres of land in the Southeastern United States have been overrun by kudzu since its first importation in 1876.
The kudzu plant is native to China and Japan, where it is used for medicinal teas, animal feed and a folk remedy for alcoholism. In 1876, representatives from Japan brought kudzu to the United States Centennial celebration held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Kudzu was used as part of a larger exhibition of flowering Japanese plants. The plant caught the eye of a Florida-based plant nursery owner, who took samples of kudzu back home for further study. Soon afterwards, Southern gardeners began to plant kudzu as a protective ground cover and decorative foliage in gardens.
During the Depression, the US government hired men to plant kudzu on farms to prevent costly soil erosion. The climate conditions in the South were much better for kudzu growth than Japan or China, so the vines began to grow at a phenomenal rate. The uncontrolled growth of kudzu led to acres of valuable forests and farmland becoming essentially worthless. By 1953, kudzu was declared an official weed by the US government.
This is not to say that kudzu does not have any redeeming qualities. Kudzu leaves are a very popular food source for grazing animals such as goats and sheep. The vines can be woven into baskets and other decorative items. Kudzu blossoms, which generally appear in late summer, are very fragrant and can yield a type of edible jam. Scientists are currently trying to develop a viable treatment for alcoholics from kudzu roots.
Eradicating kudzu has become a full-time occupation for many Southerners, but the plant has proven notoriously difficult to kill. Even with the best herbicides available, it may take up to ten years to successfully kill a kudzu vine. The winter season in the South is not cold enough or long enough to freeze kudzu into submission. The most common approaches to kudzu growth control are to introduce grazing animals to the area and to mechanically harvest the plants and resell them to kudzu enthusiasts.
Visitors to the Southeastern United States who are interested in viewing kudzu in action should look to open fields along the highway. The large green leaves which completely cover trees, power lines and abandoned structures are part of the kudzu vine system. In late summer, small flowers should appear, along with a pleasant fragrance. In certain parts of the Deep South, entire acres of land have been completely overrun by kudzu, creating a surreal green landscape.
Kudzu contains a variety of phytochemicals, which are potent antioxidant compounds found naturally in plants, that help to prevent and treat disease in humans. Kudzu contains the phytochemicals quercetin, which has antihistamine and anti-inflammatory properties, and genistein which works as a free radical scavenger. The most important phytochemicals are, however, the isoflavone compounds -- daidzein, daidzin, tectorigenin and puerarin.
Due to the isoflavones, kudzu supplements are used by the practitioners of Chinese medicine to help to relieve headaches and migraines, eye pain, vertigo, tinnitus and stiff neck. Kudzu is also purported to treat colds, flu, sinusitis, fever, psoriasis and gastrointestinal problems; as well as lower high blood sugar levels and thereby help to treat diabetes. These uses are based primarily on anecdotal and not scientific evidence.
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center states that more research needs to be done, but the isoflavone tectaorigenin that is found in kudzu may help to stop the replication and proliferation of cancer cells and tumors and therefore help to prevent and treat cancer. Due to the isoflavone pueraria found in kudzu, kudzu may also help to treat menopausal and perimenopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes and night sweats.
The isoflavones found in kudzu root extract are also used to treat alcohol related disorders. Kudzu is beneficial to alcoholism because it is purported to suppress alcohol cravings and reduce alcohol consumption. It also helps to shorten the duration of alcohol induced sleep and lower peak alcohol levels. In addition, kudzu has been found to help reduce the effects of alcohol hangovers, such as headaches, dizziness, upset stomach and vomiting.
Kudzu may also help to promote cardiovascular system health in a variety of ways. "Nursing Herbal Remedies Handbook" states that the isoflavones found in kudzu reduce high cholesterol levels, lower high blood pressure and help to prevent the blood from becoming sticky, clumping together and forming blood clots. In addition, kudzu extracts help to dilate blood vessels and increase oxygen and blood flow to the heart and brain, and kudzu is sometimes used to treat angina.
Kudzu is sold in capsule, tablet and extract form and the recommended therapeutic dose is 120 to 150 mg daily. There are no reported adverse reactions, but kudzu may interact negatively with a variety of medications, including antidiabetic and anticoagulant drugs. Kudzu also demonstrates estrogenic effects and may decrease the effectiveness of hormonal contraceptives. Individuals with hormone-sensitive cancers should avoid kudzu.
Kudzu has a long history of use in traditional Chinese medicine for treating alcoholism, menopausal symptoms, diabetes and the common cold. The Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center reports clinical trials show it is effective against menopausal symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats and reduced cognitive function. The University of Pittsburgh Center notes mixed evidence on whether or not it can treat alcoholism. Kudzu appears to be a generally safe herb, but you should consult with a doctor knowledgeable in herbal medicine for guidance on safe usage. Certain circumstances, however, could make use problematic.
MSKCC reports kudzu has demonstrated estrogenic activity. Avoid this herb if you currently suffer from, have had in the past or have a risk of hormone-sensitive cancers like estrogen-receptor positive breast cancer. It might also interfere with the actions of tamoxifen, a common breast cancer treatment drug.
Allergic reactions have been reported. If taking this herb, watch for signs of an allergic reaction, including swelling, itching, sneezing, rash, watery eyes and trouble breathing.
Whether or not you can safely use kudzu while pregnant or nursing has not been established, meaning what kind of side effects might result remains unknown. In this instance, avoid use. Safe use in patients with liver or kidney disease has not been determined either. These organs are particularly sensitive to the drugs, herbs and other supplements you consume -- particularly when their function has been impaired -- and you should talk to your doctor before using any treatment, as it could potentially worsen symptoms of these conditions.
Kudzu might lower blood sugar levels; if you take medications to control your blood sugar, you might require dosage adjustments to compensate for the actions of the herb. Only your doctor can determine this. It might also interfere with the actions of the liver enzymes P450 2D6 and P450 1A2; if you take drugs that require these enzymes for metabolism, use of kudzu could potentially produce negative actions such as decreasing effectiveness or increasing the risk of side effects. This underscores the importance of seeking professional guidance before using herbs if you take prescription medications.
The following reviews have been selected:
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5 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Helps some people with cluster headaches, February 1, 2009
By
Debra J. Henzey "NCRedhead"
They don't know why, but these supplements can help about 1/3 of those with cluster headaches. It keeps mine from being severe and reduces the number of them during a cycle.
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Reason for taking: Alcoholism
Reviewer: Rich, 35-44, 11/6/2010 6:54:23 AM
Comment:
I take it three times a day with meals. It's effective in reducing the urge to drink, and if you can make it past the first couple of days, it's smooth sailing, but you must keep using it. You are going to feel different, at first, and many will contribute this to the Kudzu itself, but in reality you've just removed an energy source -- alcohol; not a good energy source, as your body uses alcohol first for energy, carbohydrates second, followed by protein. So if you're drinking and wondering why you're gaining weight, that would be why. Another tip, while I'm here.. stay AWAY from sugar. Alcohol and sugar feed the same receptors. That's why you'll see tons of sugary treats at AA meetings. Give up sugar and alcohol, let Kudzu feed your brain, and you're good to go. Good luck everyone.
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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars It works!, November 28, 2010
By
Gone2lunch
Here's my pattern: either I (a) eat too many simple sugars or I (b) forego the carbs until the craving for them takes over, whereupon the easiest way to get them into the bloodstream is through a drink or four. Either way, the calories were adding up and c'mon, who doesn't know by now that sugar is addictive and unhealthy? A friend told me about kudzu extract and I decided to give it a go. It really does seem to keep my blood sugar stabilized and my cravings at bay, to the point that I've actually walked by treats at the office thinking, "Hmm, no, not right now." For someone who's never been able to leave an open bag of chocolate chips or an open bottle of booze unmolested, this is a godsend. I've been struggling with an extra 10 pounds all my life and 3 of them are already gone after 2 weeks. I know that for anyone without the sugar jones, this sounds like complete gibberish but the relief of not being compelled to stuff every available sugary foodstuff or drink down my gob is unbelievable. I have a BMI of 26 - not really obese - but the compulsion to keep eating sweets aways made me feel freakish. Now instead of being the one sneaking back into the break room for seconds, thirds and fourths, I finally feel like a normal person who can take sweets or leave them. Once I get started I still tend to keep going, but now I contemplate simply leaving the sweets alone without the feeling of impossibility that previously accompanied any such idea. I seem to be the only person in Georgia who can't stick a bit of kudzu in the ground and have it grow, so I guess I'll be buying these supplements for a long, long time. It's totally worth it.
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Reason for taking: Menopausal symptoms
Reviewer: 45-54 Female, 7/1/2011 5:33:42 PM
Comment:
I was waking up at 5am and feeling panic and anxiety. It felt hormonal. Was recommended Thai kudzu and the symptons went quickly. Still use it now.
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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Kuzu works, October 17, 2010
By
Dahlia Rose...
Bought these for my son who has an alcohol abuse issue. They have helped him control his drinking tremendously.
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