Fabaceae
Kudzu
Pueraria montana
✓ Generally Safe
Caution in Pregnancy
Native to: East Asia, Southeast Asia
Also known as: Japanese Arrowroot, Kudzu Vine, Ge Gen
Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA
Parts Used
RootFlower
Therapeutic Uses
Alcohol dependence (puerarin reduces consumption — RCT evidence), menopausal symptoms, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, fever, diarrhea.
Herbal Actions
Antialcoholic (reduces cravings), phytoestrogenic, cardiovascular protective, antidiabetic, antipyretic
Active Constituents
Isoflavones (puerarin — primary active, daidzein, daidzin), starch, flavonoids
Preparation Methods
💊 Capsule🍵 Decoction🏺 Tincture
Traditional Preparation Notes
| Herbal Tea | 6–12g dried root simmered 20 min, 2x daily |
| Tincture | 4–6 ml (1:5, 40% ethanol), 2–3x daily |
| Notes | Puerarin increases blood flow to frontal cortex — reduces alcohol reward. Root flour (starch) used as culinary thickener. For alcohol support: 1000–1200mg standardized extract 3x daily. Also studied for angina. |
Safety Information
Safety Rating
✓ Generally Safe
Pregnancy
Caution in Pregnancy
Drug Interactions
Possible — consult doctor
Contraindications: Avoid in hormone-sensitive conditions (estrogenic). Caution with anticoagulants and antidiabetic drugs. Caution in early pregnancy.
Side Effects: GI upset. Rare allergic reactions. Headache. Very well tolerated generally.