Kudzu root – unknown properties and uses you need to know about

Kudzu is a medicinal plant that is becoming increasingly popular in Poland and Europe, used for a variety of health problems. In the medicine of ancient Asian peoples, plants from the Pueraria family, to which kudzu belongs, were used to prevent heart disease, fever and diabetes. Today, kudzu is not only a popular dietary supplement, but also an interesting addition to sauces and soups. What is worth knowing about kudzu, and where can its unique effects be felt?

Properties and effects of Kudzu Root – how does it affect humans?

Kudzu, also known as Pueraria montana, is a climbing plant native to Far East Asia. Kudzu Root is very popular on the Asian continent due to its rich nutritional and therapeutic properties. The plant can be recognised by its vine-like tendrils and clusters of purple flowers.

The properties of kudzu have led to the plant being used for hundreds of years in medical preparations, as a food additive, and as one of the most well-known hangover remedies. Kudzu root is also used to treat fever, diarrhoea, and even circulatory problems.

Kudzu contains, among other things:

• Flavonoids and isoflavones – puerarin, daidzein, genistein
• Coumarins
• Sterols – including beta-sitosterol
• Saponins
• Proteins
• Minerals

Isoflavones – the secret to Kudzu's health-promoting potential?

The isoflavones present in kudzu have remarkable antioxidant and anti-ageing properties. Isoflavones are a subcategory of flavonoids, molecules known to combat damage caused by free radicals by preventing the accumulation of advanced glycation end products. Their protective effect helps to combat ageing and prevent certain diseases.

Kudzu root contains isoflavones such as:

• Daidzein – has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties
• Genistein
• Puerarin – the main component of kudzu roots. It has cardioprotective and hepatoprotective properties.

Kudzu application – where does it work?

Kudzu Root contains over 70 different organic compounds, some of which may be responsible for the root's potential health benefits. What are the unique properties of kudzu good for?

• Inflammation – kudzu contains active substances with anti-inflammatory properties. This is also one of the reasons why kudzu is used to treat inflammatory reactions in the body, similar to turmeric. The anti-inflammatory properties of kudzu are useful for certain types of skin inflammation, such as eczema and acne. Reduced risk of cardiovascular disease – Traditional Chinese and Japanese medicine praise the positive effects of kudzu on the heart. Indeed, kudzu helps reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and protect the arteries. Kudzu root improves the overall functionality of the cardiovascular system, protecting the heart while reducing high levels of bad cholesterol (LDL).
• Blood sugar regulation – Kudzu is also known to help regulate blood glucose levels. This is due to puerarin, which increases glucose tolerance and lowers blood sugar levels, thereby increasing glucose storage in the form of glycogen.
• Relieves hangover symptoms – kudzu is a good ally in relieving symptoms caused by excessive alcohol consumption. As we have noted, Asian healing arts have been using kudzu for hundreds of years as part of the detoxification of the body after excessive alcohol consumption. The saponins it contains support liver function and promote its detoxification.

Does kudzu also support preventive measures in relation to other ailments or unwanted conditions? Absolutely. Let's take a look at what these are.

Kudzu root for weight loss – does it help?

Can kudzu help with weight loss? As we know, the effects of kudzu are related to the beneficial properties of the flavonoids and isoflavones it contains. Its hepatoprotective, blood sugar regulating and blood thinning effects contribute to a direct acceleration of metabolism.

What is more, kudzu is a useful ingredient for digestive disorders. It helps to improve the frequency of bowel movements and thus the proper passage of food in the intestines. Ultimately, this contributes to a noticeable improvement in getting rid of excess fat in the body.

Kudzu – an ally of the liver

Kudzu root is rich in compounds that protect the body's cells from excessive oxidative stress, which can lead to the development of many serious diseases, including cancer. Isoflavone, such as puerarin, is the most abundant antioxidant compound in kudzu.

In vitro studies in mice seem to show that kudzu extract has a very beneficial effect on alcohol-induced liver damage. By scavenging harmful free radicals and strengthening the natural antioxidant system, kudzu appears to promote the well-being of the liver and, consequently, the entire body.

Kudzu root and alcoholism – what is worth knowing?

Some studies suggest that regular supplementation with kudzu may reduce the craving for alcohol, thereby positively promoting recovery in people suffering from alcohol addiction. It is therefore a natural alternative to synthetic agents used in alcohol withdrawal.

One of the reasons for this is the effect of daidzein contained in kudzu. Isoflavone inhibits enzymes that play an important role in the proper breakdown of alcohol. People who consume alcohol while supplementing with kudzu feel similar to those who simultaneously take alcoholic products and agents used to break alcohol binges, such as disulfiram.

What is more, kudzu not only reduces the craving for alcohol, but can also reduce both the immediate and long-term negative effects of alcohol consumption. The immediate consequences, i.e. the next day's hangover, can be prevented by supplementing with kudzu. Consuming kudzu root leads to increased excretion of acetaldehyde, which is produced when the body breaks down alcohol. Acetaldehyde is responsible for typical hangover symptoms such as headaches, palpitations and nausea.

Kudzu – how does it affect the endocrine system?

During menopause, oestrogen and progesterone levels drop, which can cause various unpleasant symptoms. These include hot flushes, excessive sweating, insomnia, mood swings, irritability and depression. A decrease in oestrogen in women and men also promotes the development of osteoporosis, i.e. the loss of original bone density.

Isoflavones, which are related to phytoestrogens, i.e. plant substances similar to the oestrogen found in the human body, can effectively mitigate the effects of hormonal changes in the body. Kudzu root is therefore regularly used to alleviate the symptoms of menopause. What is more, some clinical studies show that kudzu actually has a preventive effect on changes associated with hormonal imbalance. It helps to reduce night sweats and hot flushes, and also significantly reduces the risk of mental disorders associated with hormonal dysfunction.

Dosage and use of kudzu root – what does it look like?

Taking kudzu root extracts three times a day seems to be the most beneficial form of supplementation for healthy adults. Kudzu is available in tablet form, as well as powdered root, ideal for soups, sauces or herbal teas. The most popular kudzu dosages are as follows:

• Capsules and tablets – up to 800 mg per day
• Powdered root – 1 teaspoon per cup, two to four times a day

What are the dosages for specific ailments?

• Reducing alcohol consumption – 1000 mg of extract, three times a day
• Symptoms of hormonal changes – up to 800 mg, three times a day

However, it is important to remember that these are popular recommended dosages for this herb. Each dose should be determined by a doctor or specialist according to the individual needs of each person.

Kudzu root – possible side effects

Kudzu is relatively non-toxic. When used as directed by a doctor or according to the instructions on the packaging, it does not cause any visible side effects, although there are reports of possible side effects associated with intravenous or intramuscular administration of powdered kudzu. These include:

• Fever
• Headache
• Anaemia

Despite this, there is no concrete evidence that consuming kudzu roots is in any way toxic to the human body. Of course, the use of the root is not recommended for pregnant and breastfeeding women, as well as children under 12 years of age.

Bibliography

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‘Recent Advances in Methods of Puerarin Biotransformation’ – G. Liu, Z. Liu, S. Yuan, scientific journal Mini Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, BenthamScience, 2016.

‘Puerarin for OVX-Induced Postmenopausal Osteoporosis in Murine Model: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis’ – X. Yang, H. Zheng, Y. Liu, D. Hao, B. He, L. Kong, scientific journal Current Stem Cell Research & Therapy, BenthamScience, 2020.

‘Management of Diabetes Mellitus with Puerarin, a Natural Isoflavone From Pueraria lobata’ – X. Chen, J. Yu, J. Shi, scientific journal The American Journal of Chinese Medicine, World Scientific, 2018.

‘Kudzu root: an ancient Chinese source of modern antidipsotropic agents’ – W. M. Keung, B. L. Vallee, scientific journal Phytochemistry, Elsevier, 1998.

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‘A single dose of kudzu extract reduces alcohol consumption in a binge drinking paradigm’ – D. M. Penetar, L. H. Toto, D. Y-W. Lee, S. E. Lukas, scientific journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence, Elsevier, 2015.

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‘The effects of puerarin on CYP2D6 and CYP1A2 activities in vivo’ – J. Zheng et al., scientific journal Archives of Pharmacal Research, Springer, 2010.