Page 184 - Lost Book Remedies

The Lost Book of Herbal Remedies

Kudzu, petiole of a leaf trio. Bean-shaped seed pods of approx-
imately 2 inches (5 cm) in length form from each
Pueraria lobata, flower cluster. They are greenish-bronze when mature
and covered with fine hairs and turn brown when
P. thunbergiana dried.

Farmers began importing Kudzu in the 1930’s and Edible Use: The leaves, vine tips, flowers, and roots
40’s, hoping that the plant would control soil erosion are all edible. The vine stems are not. The roots contain
and provide fodder for cattle. Kudzu grows very fast starch and can be roasted and eaten like potatoes, or
and was a major agricultural problem in the South in dried and powdered to make a starch much like corn-
the 1960’s, and early 70’s. It has been fought back and starch. The flowers make a delicious jelly.
is no longer as prevalent as it once was. However, many Medicinal Use: Kudzu root is easily dried and pow-
patches still exist. Luckily almost the entire plant is ed- dered and is the part used for medicine.
ible. It is a legume in the Fabaceae (Pea) Family.
Estrogen-like Effects: Kudzu root has estrogen-
Identification: Kudzu is a twining and trailing per- like effects that are beneficial for pre-menopausal and
ennial vine that grows quickly and covers everything in post-menopausal women.
its path. Folks in the south joke that if you go on vaca-
tion, your house may be completely swallowed by the It alleviates the symptoms of menopause including
time you get back. It is a familiar sight to find kudzu headaches, hot flashes, and irregular bleeding.
covering abandoned houses, telephone poles, trees, Heart Problems, Cardiovascular System:
and fields. Kudzu root decoction is useful for increasing blood
Leaves are flow in the body by expanding the arteries and vessels.
grouped into It increases oxygen supply to the brain and body. It
formations of lowers blood pressure and reduces chances of clotting
three leaflets at and strokes. It is also a potent weapon against myocar-
each node. dial ischemia.
Each leaflet has Relieves Digestive Spasms: Kudzu root soothes
its own stalk or digestive spasms and helps treat digestive cramping,
petiole. The Crohn’s disease, and Irritable Bowel Syndrome. It
central leaf has works for both acute and chronic conditions.
3 lobes and a
petiole that is Measles: Kudzu reduces the infection rate and short-
about 3/4 inch ens cases of measles. It also works as a preventative for
(1 cm) long. The family members. People who take kudzu root get well
leaves on either faster than those who do not.
side have
shorter petioles
and usually 2
lobes. Leaves may not have any lobes or may have
many more. The leaves are medium-green and grow to
be about 5 to 6 inches (12.5 cm to 15 cm) long and are
covered in very fine hairs. The vines are long and cov-
ered in small bristles that help it climb and cling to ver-
tical surfaces. The vines grow rapidly and become thick
and woody as they mature. The vines also grow hori-
zontally, putting down roots at each node.
In August or September, purple or reddish-purple
flowers appear in clusters. Each cluster is up to 8
inches (20 cm) long and emerges from the central Kudzu leaves, Bubba73 (Jud McCranie) - Own work, CC by SA 3.0
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