Kudzu
Related Terms
- 6"-O-xyloglycitin, 6"-O-xylosyltectoridin, arrowroot, biochanin A, daidzein, daidzein 8-C-glucoside, daidzin, Fabaceae (family), flos puerariae, formononetin, gegen (Chinese), gegen-tanj (TJ-1), genistein, genistin, glycetein, glycitin, isoflavonoids, Japanese arrowroot, kaikasaponin III (KS-III), kakkonto, Kampo, kudzu root, Kwao Kruea Khao, Leguminosae (family), NPI-028, NPI-031, NPI-031G, pedunsaponin B2, pedunsaponin C3, puer, Pueraria eduli, Pueraria flos, Pueraria lobata, Pueraria lobata L., Pueraria lobata Ohwi, Pueraria lobata root decoction, Pueraria lobata (Willd.), Pueraria lobata (Willd.) Ohwi, Pueraria mirifica, Pueraria montana, Pueraria omeiensis, Pueraria peduncularis, Pueraria phaseoloides, Pueraria thomsonii, Pueraria thunbergiana, Puerariae flos, Puerariae radix, Puerariae surculus, puerarin, radix puerariae, spinasterol, tectoridin, tectorigenin, Tianbaokang, triterpenoids, Yufengningxin.
Background
- Kudzu originated in China and was brought to the United States from Japan in the late 1800s. It is distributed throughout much of the eastern United States and is most common in the southern part of the continent.
- Kudzu has traditionally been used in China to treat alcoholism, diabetes (high blood sugar), stomach flu, and deafness. Research indicates that puerarin (an ingredient in kudzu) may increase blood flow to the heart and brain which helps explain certain traditional uses.
- Evidence suggests that kudzu may improve chest pain as well as help with symptoms of diabetes and menopause. However, most studies regarding kudzu were small and had weak designs. Further research is necessary to draw conclusions.
Evidence Table
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. |
GRADE * |
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. |
GRADE * |
Early research showed mixed results for the usefulness of kudzu in alcoholism. Additional study is needed to draw a conclusion.
|
C |
Early research showed mixed results for the usefulness of kudzu in alcoholism. Additional study is needed to draw a conclusion.
|
C |
In limited research, kudzu has shown benefit for sudden deafness. Additional evidence is needed to confirm these results.
|
C |
In limited research, kudzu has shown benefit for sudden deafness. Additional evidence is needed to confirm these results.
|
C |
It has been suggested that kudzu may lower blood sugar and decrease inflammation. Early evidence shows that kudzu may improve insulin resistance in diabetes. Insulin resistance is when the body starts needing higher levels of insulin to be able to control blood sugar levels. Additional study is needed before a firm conclusion can be made.
|
C |
It has been suggested that kudzu may lower blood sugar and decrease inflammation. Early evidence shows that kudzu may improve insulin resistance in diabetes. Insulin resistance is when the body starts needing higher levels of insulin to be able to control blood sugar levels. Additional study is needed before a firm conclusion can be made.
|
C |
Limited evidence suggests that kudzu may be useful for diabetic eye disease. Additional study is needed before a firm conclusion can be made.
|
C |
Limited evidence suggests that kudzu may be useful for diabetic eye disease. Additional study is needed before a firm conclusion can be made.
|
C |
Early evidence suggests that kudzu injections may have positive effects in diabetic eye disease. Further research is needed to confirm these results.
|
C |
Early evidence suggests that kudzu injections may have positive effects in diabetic eye disease. Further research is needed to confirm these results.
|
C |
Early research showed that kudzu in combination with other supplements has benefits in exercise performance. Additional study of kudzu alone is needed before a conclusion can be made.
|
C |
Early research showed that kudzu in combination with other supplements has benefits in exercise performance. Additional study of kudzu alone is needed before a conclusion can be made.
|
C |
In China, kudzu is the main herbal treatment for glaucoma, a disease from increased blood pressure in the eye. Early evidence shows that adding kudzu to standard medicine for glaucoma yields favorable results. Additional research is needed to draw conclusions.
|
C |
In China, kudzu is the main herbal treatment for glaucoma, a disease from increased blood pressure in the eye. Early evidence shows that adding kudzu to standard medicine for glaucoma yields favorable results. Additional research is needed to draw conclusions.
|
C |
Kudzu has a long history of use for heart disorders, including chest pain, heart attack, and heart failure. Early evidence suggests that kudzu may reduce the frequency of chest pain. More research is needed in this area.
|
C |
Kudzu has a long history of use for heart disorders, including chest pain, heart attack, and heart failure. Early evidence suggests that kudzu may reduce the frequency of chest pain. More research is needed in this area.
|
C |
Early evidence suggests that kudzu injections may have heart protective effects during surgery. Further research is needed to confirm these results.
|
C |
Early evidence suggests that kudzu injections may have heart protective effects during surgery. Further research is needed to confirm these results.
|
C |
Evidence is mixed regarding benefit in using kudzu for high cholesterol. Further research is needed before a conclusion may be made.
|
C |
Evidence is mixed regarding benefit in using kudzu for high cholesterol. Further research is needed before a conclusion may be made.
|
C |
Early study suggested that kudzu injections may decrease low back pain. Further research is needed before a conclusion may be made.
|
C |
Early study suggested that kudzu injections may decrease low back pain. Further research is needed before a conclusion may be made.
|
C |
There is conflicting evidence regarding the effects of kudzu on menopausal symptoms. Additional study is needed to clarify these results.
|
C |
There is conflicting evidence regarding the effects of kudzu on menopausal symptoms. Additional study is needed to clarify these results.
|
C |
Early research showed that kudzu lacked an effect on sleep. Additional study is needed to draw a conclusion.
|
C |
Early research showed that kudzu lacked an effect on sleep. Additional study is needed to draw a conclusion.
|
C |
There is conflicting evidence for the benefits of kudzu in people with stroke. Further research is needed before a conclusion may be made.
|
C |
There is conflicting evidence for the benefits of kudzu in people with stroke. Further research is needed before a conclusion may be made.
|
C |
Early research showed that kudzu helps with weight loss. Additional study is needed to draw a conclusion.
|
C |
Early research showed that kudzu helps with weight loss. Additional study is needed to draw a conclusion.
|
C | * Key to grades
A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)
| * Key to grades
A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)
| Tradition / Theory
The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.
Dosing
Adults (over 18 years old)
- For alcoholism, 0.6-1.2 grams of kudzu root extract has been taken by mouth twice or three times daily for seven days to one month.
- For heart disease, 400 milligrams of puerarin has been taken by mouth daily for ten days; 200 milliliters of puerarin has been injected into the vein once daily, beginning one week prior to surgery and continuing until the day before surgery; 300-600 milligrams of puerarin in 250 milliliters of 5% dextrose has been injected into the vein daily for 7-20 days.
- For diabetic kidney disease, 250 milligrams of puerarin has been taken by mouth three times daily in addition to standard diabetes treatment for 12 weeks.
- For high cholesterol, 20-50 milligrams of Pueraria mirifica has been taken by mouth once daily for 24 weeks; four 200 milligram tablets (containing 25 milligrams of dried Pueraria mirifica root powder) have been taken by mouth daily (two tablets every morning and afternoon) for two months.
- For menopause, 20-100 milligrams of Pueraria mirifica has been taken by mouth once daily for six months; kudzu powder (containing 100 milligrams of isoflavones) dissolved in water has been taken by mouth once daily for three months; four 200 milligram tablets (containing 25 milligrams of dried Pueraria mirifica root powder) have been taken by mouth daily (two every morning and afternoon) for two months.
- For sleep, two 500 milligram kudzu root capsules have been taken by mouth three times daily for nine days.
- For weight loss, 200-300 milligrams of Pueraria thomsonii flower extract has been taken with dinner for 12 weeks.
- For deafness, 400 milligrams of puerarin in 500 milliliters of 5% glucose was injected into the vein once daily for 10 days.
- For diabetes, 500 milligrams of puerarin in 250 milliliters of normal saline was injected into the vein once daily for three weeks in addition to standard therapy for diabetes.
- For diabetic eye disease, 400 milligrams of puerarin was injected into the vein daily for six weeks.
- For heart protection during surgery, 500 milligrams of puerarin was injected into the vein over 30 minutes beginning at one hour before standard anesthesia.
- For stroke, 200-500 milligrams of puerarin in 250 milliliters of fluid was injected into the vein once daily for 14-15 days in combination with routine stroke therapy.
Safety
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products, and effects may vary. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if you experience side effects.
Interactions
Interactions with Drugs
- Kudzu may increase the risk of bleeding when taken with drugs that increase the risk of bleeding. Some examples include aspirin, anticoagulants ("blood thinners") such as warfarin (Coumadin?) or heparin, anti-platelet drugs such as clopidogrel (Plavix?), and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) such as ibuprofen (Motrin?, Advil?) or naproxen (Naprosyn?, Aleve?).
- Kudzu may lower blood sugar levels. Caution is advised when using medications that may also lower blood sugar. Patients taking drugs for diabetes by mouth or insulin should be monitored closely by a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist. Medication adjustments may be necessary.
- Kudzu may interfere with the way the body processes certain drugs using the liver's "cytochrome P450" enzyme system. As a result, the levels of these drugs may be altered in the blood, and may cause altered effects or potentially serious adverse reactions. People using any medications should check the package insert, and speak with a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist, about possible interactions.
- Kudzu may cause low blood pressure. Caution is advised in people taking drugs that lower blood pressure.
- Kudzu may also interact with agents that affect blood vessel width, agents that affect heart rhythm, agents that affect the nervous system, the blood, or the heart, agents used for the skin, intestines, or the stomach, agents used to prevent bone loss, alcohol, antiandrogens, anti-anxiety agents, anticancer agents, anti-inflammatories, benzodiazepines, bisphosphonates, cholesterol-lowering agents, disulfiram, estrogens, heart rate regulating agents, hormonal agents, hormone replacement therapy (HRT), mecamylamine, methotrexate, nitroglycerin, and weight loss agents.
Attribution
-
This information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).
Bibliography
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