uses of kudzu

Kudzu (Pueraria lobata) is a climbing vine that belongs to the pea family. Its f
lowers and starchy white roots have been used in traditional Chinese medicine fo
r centuries.
Uses for Kudzu
In alternative medicine, kudzu is typically used for the following conditions:
alcoholism
menopausal symptoms
diabetes
common cold
fever
Health Benefits of Kudzu
Kudzu contains isoflavones, estrogen-like compounds thought to offer various hea
lth benefits.
So far, scientific support for the benefits of kudzu is limited.

1) Postmenopausal Women
For a study published in 2003, researchers assigned 127 postmenopausal women (ag
ed 50 to 65 years) to receive hormone replacement therapy, kudzu supplements (de
livering 100 mg of isoflavone daily), or no treatment for three months. While on
ly participants in the HRT group had a reduction in cholesterol levels, HRT- and
kudzu-receiving study members both showed improvements in cognitive function an
d attention span.
A more recent study, published in 2007, found taking kudzu extract in capsule fo
rm daily for 24 weeks helped alleviate vaginal dryness in postmenopausal women.
2) Alcohol Intake
Kudzu extract may be helpful in reducing alcohol intake, according to a 2005 stu
dy. Using a real-life setting (an apartment with a television, reclining chair,
and refrigerator stocked with beer), researchers performed an experiment involvi
ng heavy drinkers.
They found that those who took kudzu capsules for seven days prior to the experi
ment drank an average of 1.8 beers in 90 minutes (compared to the average of 3.5
beers consumed by those who took a placebo prior to the study).
Learn more about the use of kudzu in reduction of alcohol intake.
3) Cluster Headache
In a 2009 study of 16 people who had reported using kudzu to treat cluster heada
che, researchers determined that kudzu may help decrease the frequency, duration
, and intensity of attacks, with minimal side effects.
4) Metabolic Syndrome
Animal research published in 2009 indicates that kudzu may help manage metabolic
syndrome, a condition marked by a cluster of health problems (including excess
belly fat, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and insulin resistance) that a
re known to raise your risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
For the study, a group of female rats with metabolic syndrome was fed a diet sup
plemented with kudzu extract. After two months, the kudzu-fed rats had gained le
ss weight than rats that weren't fed kudzu. Rats in the kudzu group also had hea
lthier levels of blood pressure, insulin, and cholesterol than their study count
erparts.
Caveats
Individuals with breast cancer as well as anyone using diabetes medications shou
ld avoid kudzu.
Supplements haven't been tested for safety and due to the fact that dietary supp
lements are largely unregulated, the content of some products may differ from wh
at is specified on the product label.
Also keep in mind that the safety of supplements in pregnant women, nursing moth
ers, children, and those with medical conditions or who are taking medications h
as not been established.
You can get tips on using supplements here, but if you're considering the use of
kudzu, talk with your primary care provider first. Self-treating a condition an
d avoiding or delaying standard care may have serious consequences.
Sources

Manonai J, Chittacharoen A, Theppisai U, Theppisai H. "Effect of Pueraria mirifi

ca on vaginal health." Menopause. 2007 14(5):919-24.
Peng N, Prasain JK, Dai Y, Moore R, Arabshahi A, Barnes S, Carlson S, Wyss JM. "
Chronic dietary kudzu isoflavones improve components of metabolic syndrome in st
roke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats." J Agric Food Chem. 2009 26;57(16):7
268-73.
Sewell RA. "Response of cluster headache to kudzu." Headache. 2009 49(1):98-105.
Woo J, Lau E, Ho SC, Cheng F, Chan C, Chan AS, Haines CJ, Chan TY, Li M, Sham A.
"Comparison of Pueraria lobata with hormone replacement therapy in treating the
adverse health consequences of menopause." Menopause. 2003 10(4):352-61.
Disclaimer: The information contained on this site is intended for educational p
urposes only and is not a substitute for advice, diagnosis or treatment by a lic
ensed physician. It is not meant to cover all possible precautions, drug interac
tions, circumstances or adverse effects. You should seek prompt medical care for
any health issues and consult your doctor before using alternative medicine or
making a change to your regimen.