3 Health Benefits of Kudzu Root (Pueraria montana)

December 8, 2023 Agric4Profits

Kudzu (Pueraria montana) is also known as backyard invading plant. In fact, it was this invasive trait that made the plant necessary to aid with soil erosion issues, especially in the South where dust storms harmed prairies. The Soil Conservation Service gave as much as $8 per acre to anyone willing to plant the vine since the need was so great.

Through planting competitions and even a kudzu queen competition, it gained popularity. A 20,000-member organization called the Kudzu Club of America set out to cover 8 million acres of the South with kudzu. Now it makes sense why almost every resident of the South is familiar with kudzu.

Before taking kudzu root, you should be informed of several known hazards. Given that kudzu also has actions that are similar to estrogen, birth control pills and kudzu may interact. Kudzu may lessen the effectiveness of birth control pills when taken in conjunction with them.

Kudzu may prevent blood clots. Before consuming kudzu in any form, please see your doctor first as it may result in bruising and bleeding if you are taking medications that slow blood clotting.

The combination of kudzu and diabetes drugs may result in dangerously low blood sugar levels.

Kudzu may lessen the efficacy of several medications by influencing the body’s production of estrogen. In any case, make sure to check with your doctor if you’re on any medications.

Read Also: 7 Health Benefits of Hyssop

3 Health Benefits of Kudzu Root (Pueraria montana)

Although kudzu is an unusual plant that may have health advantages, further research is necessary before we can fully comprehend the advantages of kudzu root and this climbing plant as a whole. However, there are various signs that suggest it can be beneficial for someone who is an alcoholic.

Eating kudzu root, drinking it as a tea, or taking it as a supplement can also reduce hot flashes and nocturnal sweats, upset stomach, and inflammation.

Find out more about kudzu root and how it might benefit you. Although the advantages seem encouraging, there are drawbacks as well. For instance, kudzu root may interfere with specific medications, and the plant itself is a troublesome invader.

Native to Asia, specifically China, Japan, and Korea, kudzu has long been employed in Eastern medicine. Five species of the genus Pueraria are related to it (P. Montana, P. Lobata, P. Edulis, P. Phaseoloides, and P. Thomsoni).

Even though kudzu vine may be discovered practically everywhere in the South by driving down a country road, kudzu root is perhaps most well-known as a supplement or as kudzu root tea, both of which can be purchased at most health food stores.

However, be sure to read the label carefully to find out how much kudzu is in it. Some say that the labels are falsely suggesting that there is more kudzu content than there is.

Kudzu is frequently present in cuisines from the South that are eaten raw, sautéed, deep-fried, baked, and jellied, but if you need to harvest kudzu, you must do so carefully. Since it resembles poison ivy, make sure to distinguish it properly, and stay away from kudzu that has been sprayed with chemicals or pesticides.

What portion of kudzu can be eaten? Kudzu also has edible leaves and vine tips in addition to the root. The fragrant, purple blossoms that the kudzu plant actually produces are turned into jellies, syrups, and candies.

Kudzu roots can be prepared similarly to potatoes or dried and ground into a powder that works well as a breading for fried meals or thickening for sauces.

3 Health Benefits of Kudzu Root (Pueraria montana)

1. May Help Treat Alcoholism

Although it has been acknowledged that kudzu root can lessen the unpleasant effects of a hangover, it appears that excessive use of the herb could have the opposite effect.

However, research suggests that it might lessen alcoholism. Increasing the alcohol levels, it allows the user to experience the effects of alcohol without consuming as much of it.

17 men between the ages of 21 and 33 were treated for four weeks as part of a study that was published in Psychopharmacology. These guys had a diagnosis of alcohol addiction and/or dependence and reported drinking 27.6 to 6.5 drinks per week. They regularly ingested matched placebo or kudzu extract.

The individuals were questioned about their use of and desire for alcohol. The number of drinks drunk each week decreased by 34 to 57 percent, and the frequency of heavy drinking days decreased, but there was no change in the desire for alcohol. The kudzu extract also markedly enhanced the total number of days, including consecutive days, without alcohol.

An experiment conducted discovered that participants who took the kudzu supplement before drinking actually drank 20% less alcohol than usual.

Although more research is required, kudzu may hold promise for those struggling with alcoholism. This in turn might aid in the prevention or treatment of cirrhosis and other alcohol-related illnesses.

2. Ease Stomach Upset

Kudzu is recommended by the Preventative Medicine Center (PMC) as a treatment for upset stomachs brought on by digestive problems. Kudzu aids in bettering digestion and bowel movements.

The umeboshi plum neutralizes excess acid, which is a necessary outcome because too much acid can cause diarrhea, according to the PMC, making the combination of kudzu and umeboshi plum the best.

Similar to the gastric mucus that covers the stomach and shields it from too much hydrochloric acid, kudzu has a thick, sticky consistency. Strongly alkaline umeboshi plums counteract the negative effects of too much stomach acid. Together, they help the digestive system and can provide relief from heartburn and stomach ulcers.

The anti-inflammatory properties of umeboshi and the fiber in kuzu work together to reduce inflammation, which helps to alleviate the symptoms of acute diverticulitis and irritable bowel syndrome. Additionally, this combination can treat the leaky gut syndrome.

3. Helps In Treating And Stopping Hot Flashes And Night Sweats

Due to the estrogen-like properties of kudzu, it is believed to aid in the treatment of menopausal and perimenopausal symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats.

Although there is conflicting evidence regarding the effects of kudzu on menopausal symptoms, some studies indicate that consuming kudzu by mouth can lessen hot flashes and improve vaginal dryness in women going through menopause. Additionally, it might aid postmenopausal women in developing their mental faculties.

Pueraria Mirifica (also known as Thai kudzu) roots, which have been consumed by native Thai people for centuries to treat postmenopausal symptoms, are effective because they contain phytoestrogens like isoflavones, deoxymiroestrol, and megestrol.

In some foods and dietary supplements, the herb Pueraria Mirifica is used to treat hot flashes and nocturnal sweats in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women while lowering blood lipid levels.