The Health Benefits of Kudzu

Kudzu (Pueraria lobata) is a climbing vine that belongs to the pea family. Its flowers and starchy white roots have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries.

Kudzu contains isoflavones, estrogen-like compounds thought to offer various health benefits. So far, scientific support for the benefits of kudzu is limited.

In alternative medicine, kudzu is typically used for the following conditions:

• alcoholism
• menopausal symptoms
• diabetes
• common cold
• fever

Not all of these uses are supported by clinical evidence. Here's what the research says so far about kudzu health benefits.

For a study published in 2003, researchers assigned 127 postmenopausal women (aged 50 to 65 years) to receive hormone replacement therapy, kudzu supplements (delivering 100 mg of isoflavone daily), or no treatment for three months. While only participants in the HRT group had a reduction in cholesterol levels, HRT- and kudzu-receiving study members both showed improvements in cognitive function and attention span.

A more recent study, published in 2007, found taking kudzu extract in capsule form daily for 24 weeks helped alleviate vaginal dryness in postmenopausal women.

Kudzu extract may be helpful in reducing alcohol intake, according to a 2005 study. Using a real-life setting (an apartment with a television, reclining chair, and refrigerator stocked with beer), researchers performed an experiment involving heavy drinkers. They found that those who took kudzu capsules for seven days prior to the experiment drank an average of 1.8 beers in 90 minutes (compared to the average of 3.5 beers consumed by those who took a placebo prior to the study).

Learn more about the use of kudzu in the reduction of alcohol intake.

In a 2009 study of 16 people who had reported using kudzu to treat a cluster headache, researchers determined that kudzu may help decrease the frequency, duration, and intensity of attacks, with minimal side effects.

Animal research published in 2009 indicates that kudzu may help manage metabolic syndrome, a condition marked by a cluster of health problems (including excess belly fat, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and insulin resistance) that are known to raise your risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

For the study, a group of female rats with metabolic syndrome was fed a diet supplemented with kudzu extract. After two months, the kudzu-fed rats had gained less weight than rats that weren't fed kudzu. Rats in the kudzu group also had healthier levels of blood pressure, insulin, and cholesterol than their study counterparts.

Individuals with breast (or any hormonal-sensitive) cancer, as well as anyone using diabetes medications, should avoid kudzu.

You should also not take kudzu if you take methotrexate or tamoxifen.

Liver damage was found in rats exposed to high doses of kudzu extract over a long period of time. But it is not known if this side effect occurs in humans.

There is not enough scientific data to provide a recommended dose of kudzu. But there are various doses that have been used in clinical trials.

In studies examining kudzu's use on alcohol intake, a dose of 1.5-3 grams of kudzu root extract was taken in three divided doses per day for up to four weeks. A single dose of two grams of kudzu extract was taken before a drinking episode.

The appropriate dose for you may depend on factors including your age, gender, and medical history. Speak to your healthcare provider to get personalized advice.

Supplements haven't been tested for safety and due to the fact that dietary supplements are largely unregulated, the content of some products may differ from what is specified on the product label.

Also keep in mind that the safety of supplements in pregnant women, nursing mothers, children, and those with medical conditions or who are taking medications has not been established. You can get tips on using supplements safely, but if you're considering the use of kudzu, talk with your primary care provider first. Self-treating a condition and avoiding or delaying standard care may have serious consequences.