KUDZA

What it is KUDZA

Kudzu root, also called Japanese arrowroot, is native to China, Japan, and Korea. These cultures have used it widely for centuries. Today, kudzu grows in other parts of the world as well, including in the southern United States.

The plant is a trailing vine that often grows over other plants and trees. As such, some people consider it to be an invasive weed.

For over 2,000 years, people have used kudzu root in traditional Chinese medicine for purposes like treating fevers, diarrhea, and even diabetes and heart disease

In its raw form, kudzu root resembles other root tubers, such as potatoes or yams. It has tan skin, white flesh, and an oblong shape.

The kudzu plant resembles poison ivy, so it’s important to know how to identify it correct

Kudzu root is the edible part of a trailing vine native to several Asian countries. People have used it for many years in traditional Chinese medicine, and it resembles other root tubers, like yams.

HOW TOUses KUDZU

Today, the most popular ways to use kudzu root are as an herbal supplement or a root tea.

However, you can also consume kudzu root as a food. People often eat different parts of the plant raw, sautéed, deep-fried, baked, or jellied.

You can eat the root as you would other root vegetables, like potatoes or rutabagas. Kudzu roots can be dried and ground into a powder, which some people use as breading for fried foods or as a thickener for soups and sauces.

What’s more, the kudzu plant leaves, vine tips, and purple flower blossoms are also edible.

People typically use kudzu root as an herbal supplement or tea. You can also cook and eat it or use it in dried and powdered form as a breading or thickening agent.

Kudzu root benefits

Kudzu root contains more than 70 plant compounds, some of which may be responsible for the root’s potential health benefit

May reduce alcohol dependence

Some studies suggest kudzu root may help treat alcohol use disorder or alcohol dependence.

One small study looked at the effects of kudzu in 17 men ages 21–33 who reported drinking approximately 22–35 drinks per week. The researchers gave participants either kudzu extract or a placebo every day for 4 weeks

The participants reported their desire for and consumption of alcohol for the duration of the study. Researchers found that the kudzu extract had no effect on alcohol cravings, but it reduced the number of weekly alcoholic drinks by 34–57%

Furthermore, the men who took kudzu had fewer heavy drinking days per week and had significantly more consecutive days with no alcohol consumption

Another study found that people who took puerarin, an isoflavone extract from the kudzu plant, prior to drinking took longer to consume alcoholic beverages

This effect has been seen in other studies as well. In some instances, even a single dose of kudzu extract reduced alcohol consumption and prevented binge drinking

It’s important to note that these studies used kudzu extract, which may have contained other parts of the kudzu plant besides the root. Thus, scientists need to do more research in this area on the effects of kudzu root specifically.

May help treat liver damage

Kudzu root is rich in antioxidants, compounds that protect cells from oxidative stress that can lead to disease. The isoflavone puerarin is the most abundant antioxidant compound in the kudzu vine

One study in mice found that kudzu vine extract was highly beneficial in treating alcohol-induced liver damage by scavenging harmful free radicals and boosting the natural antioxidant system

May alleviate menopausal symptoms

Some health companies sell the kudzu root species Pueraria mirifica as a supplement for menopausal and postmenopausal women.

Kudzu root contains phytoestrogens, plant compounds that scientists have found act similarly to estrogen in the human body

Kudzu root may help treat some of the most common menopausal complaints, including hot flashes and night sweats.

Small studies in people have observed noteworthy improvements in these menopausal symptoms, among others, like vaginal dryness

However, other research has found inconclusive evidence for this use

Other potential benefits

While scientists need to do more research on the health effects of kudzu, some studies suggest that kudzu root may have other health benefits worth considering.

Some of these include:

• May reduce inflammation. One animal study found that isoorientin, a compound isolated from kudzu root, boosted antioxidant levels and reduced inflammation markers in mice with swollen paws

• May promote heart health. Kudzu root offered heart-protective benefits to mice with burn-induced heart injuries. People have also used it in traditional Chinese medicine for heart disease, but scientists need to do more research on this

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