Kudzu

Pueraria lobata

Principal Proposed Uses
• None

Other Proposed Uses
• Alcoholism, Common Cold, Menopausal Symptoms

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   What Is Kudzu Used for Today?
   Dosage
   Safety Issues
   References

Kudzu is cooked as food in China, and also is used as an herb in ]]>traditional Chinese medicine]]> . However, in the United States, kudzu has become an invasive pest. It was deliberately planted earlier this century for use as animal fodder and to control soil erosion. It turned out to be incredibly prolific and soon spread throughout the South like an alien invader. The problem is that kudzu can grow a foot a day during the summer, and as much as 60 feet a year, giving it the folk name "mile-a-minute vine." It swallows telephone poles, chokes trees, and takes over yards.

What Is Kudzu Used for Today?

Besides cooking with it, feeding it to animals, and weaving baskets out of its rubbery vines, kudzu may also be useful in treating alcoholism]]> . In Chinese folk medicine, a tea brewed from kudzu root is believed to be useful in sobering up people who are intoxicated by alcohol. Taking the hint, a 1993 study evaluated the effects of kudzu in a species of hamsters known to enjoy drinking alcohol to intoxication. ]]>¹]]> Ordinarily, if given a choice, the Syrian golden hamster will prefer alcohol to water, but administration of kudzu reversed that preference.

This animal study, along with another one involving rats, ]]>³]]> led to widespread speculation that kudzu may be useful in the treatment of human alcoholism. However, the results of the two small reported human trials are conflicting. ]]>^{2, 5}]]>

In academic Chinese herbology (as opposed to Chinese folk medicine), kudzu has different applications. One classic herbal formula containing kudzu is used for the treatment of ]]>colds]]> accompanied by pain in the neck. However, there is no scientific evidence that it is effective for this condition.

Kudzu contains ]]>isoflavones]]> similar to those found in ]]>soy]]> . These substances are known to have an estrogen-like effect. On this basis, kudzu has been proposed as a treatment for ]]>menopausal symptoms]]> . However, the one published double-blind trial failed to find benefit. ]]>⁴]]>

Dosage

The standard dosage of kudzu ranges from 9 to 15 g daily, in tea or tablets.

Safety Issues

Based on its extensive food use, kudzu is believed to be reasonably safe. However, safety in young children, pregnant or nursing women, or those with severe kidney or liver disease has not been established.

References

1. Keung WM, Vallee BL. Daidzin and daidzein suppress free-choice ethanol intake by Syrian golden hamsters . Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A . 1993;90:10008-10012.

2. Shebek J, Rindone JP. A pilot study exploring the effect of kudzu root on the drinking habits of patients with chronic alcoholism. J Altern Complement Med. 2000;6:45-48.

3. Keung WM, Vallee BL. Kudzu root: an ancient Chinese source of modern antidipsotropic agents. Phytochemistry . 1998;47:499-506.

4. Woo J, Lau E, Ho SC, et al. Comparison of Pueraria lobata with hormone replacement therapy in treating the adverse health consequences of menopause. Menopause . 2003;10:352-61.

5. Lukas SE, Penetar D, Berko J et al. An Extract of the Chinese Herbal Root Kudzu Reduces Alcohol Drinking by Heavy Drinkers in a Naturalistic Setting. Alcohol Clin Exp Res . 2005;29:756-762.

Last reviewed April 2009 by EBSCO CAM Review Board]]>

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