Hi everyone!

It supposed to be sunny today!BBC weather lied! hahaha….

As I said in my last note, searching for a healthy benefits of Ginseng and Ginkgo I have found not very popular medical plant by name Kudzu. Kudzu is native to Asia, particularly China, Japan and Korea, and has been used in Eastern medicine for centuries.

Kudzu is a unique plant/vine that may offer health benefits, but keep in mind that more research is needed to gain a better understanding of the benefits of kudzu root and this climbing plant as a whole. Kudzu contains a variety of phytochemicals, which are potent antioxidant compounds found naturally in plants, that help to prevent and treat disease in humans. Kudzu contains the phytochemicals quercetin, which has antihistamine, anti-inflammatory properties and genistein which works as a free radical scavenger. The most important phytochemicals are the isoflavone compounds — daidzein, daidzin, tectorigenin and puerarin.

Make sure to learn more about kudzu root and how it may help you. While the benefits are promising, there are also downsides. For instance, kudzu root can interact with certain drugs, and the plant itself is an invader in the garden that’s difficult to control. Make sure to speak with your health care provider before utilizing this ancient remedy.

Due to the isoflavones, kudzu supplements are used by the practitioners of Chinese medicine to help to relieve headaches and migraines, eye pain, vertigo, tinnitus and stiff neck. Kudzu is also purported to treat colds, flu, sinusitis, fever, psoriasis and gastrointestinal problems; as well as lower high blood sugar levels and thereby help to treat diabetes.

Cancer and Menopause: Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center states that more research needs to be done, but the isoflavone tectaorigenin that is found in kudzu may help to stop the replication and proliferation of cancer cells and tumors and therefore help to prevent and treat cancer. Due to the isoflavone pueraria found in kudzu, kudzu may also help to treat menopausal and perimenopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes and night sweats.

Alcoholism: The isoflavones found in kudzu root extract are also used to treat alcohol related disorders. Kudzu is beneficial to alcoholism because it is purported to suppress alcohol cravings and reduce alcohol consumption. It also helps to shorten the duration of alcohol induced sleep and lower peak alcohol levels. In addition, kudzu has been found to help reduce the effects of alcohol hangovers, such as headaches, dizziness, upset stomach and vomiting.

Cardiovascular Benefits: Kudzu may also help to promote cardiovascular system health in a variety of ways. “Nursing Herbal Remedies Handbook” states that the isoflavones found in kudzu reduce high cholesterol levels, lower high blood pressure and help to prevent the blood from becoming sticky, clumping together and forming blood clots. In addition, kudzu extracts help to dilate blood vessels and increase oxygen and blood flow to the heart and brain, and kudzu is sometimes used to treat angina.

Kudzu is sold in capsule, tablet and extract form and the recommended therapeutic dose is 120 to 150 mg daily. There are no reported adverse reactions, but kudzu may interact negatively with a variety of medications, including antidiabetic and anticoagulant drugs. Kudzu also demonstrates estrogenic effects and may decrease the effectiveness of hormonal contraceptives.

Individuals with hormone-sensitive cancers should avoid kudzu.

You can also use Kudzu in the kitchen as an outstanding jelling and thickening for gravies and create yummy alfredo sauce for pasta. Make Kudzu-ko chocolate mousse, or apple kudzu pudding!

Enjoy!:)