Effect:
-
Areas of application:
Menopause, relieves symptoms of menopause such as headaches, hot flashes, irregular bleeding; lowers blood pressure, heart problems, cardiovascular system, reduces the risk of blood clots and strokes, ischemia of the heart muscle, relieves digestive spasms, Crohn's disease, irritable bowel syndrome, shortens the duration of illness in measles, stabilizes blood sugar levels, inhibits craving for alcohol, alcohol addiction
Plant parts used:
root
Collection time:
-
To find:
Comes from East Asia and is widespread. The plant colonizes gardens, road embankments and lake shores. Wherever it occurs, it suffocates entire trees. Their presence has a significant negative impact on the maintenance costs of infrastructure, biodiversity and the protective function of the forest.
Ingredients:
Starch, water, proteins, carbohydrates, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, daidzin
Miscellaneous:
Kudzu vine is a twining perennial liana that grows quickly and covers anything in its path. It can grow up to 2 meters long. The leaves are grouped in formations of three leaflets at each node. Each leaflet has its own stalk or petiole. The central leaf has 3 lobes and a petiole that is about 1.9 cm long. The leaves on either side have shorter petioles and usually 2 lobes. It may happen that the leaves have no lobes at all or have many lobes. The leaves are medium green, about 12.5 to 15 cm long and are covered with very fine hairs. The tendrils are long and have small bristles that allow them to climb and hold onto vertical surfaces. The vines grow quickly and become thick and woody as they age. The tendrils also grow horizontally and form roots at each node. The purple or reddish-purple flowers appear in clusters in August or September. Each tuft is up to 20 cm long and arises from the central petiole of a trio of leaves. Each flower cluster produces bean-shaped seed capsules about 5 cm long. They are greenish-bronze when ripe and covered in fine hairs, turning brown when dry. The fresh flowers smell like vanilla.
The leaves, shoot tips, flowers and roots are edible, unlike the stems. The roots contain starch and can be roasted and eaten like potatoes. A jelly can be made from the flowers.
In Switzerland it is also called kopou bean.
The leaves are very suitable as pasture feed for sheep and goats.
For example, the 2 to 3 mm long, solid fibers from the stem are made into textiles and greenish, cream-colored paper.
Use as a dietary supplement
Kudzu root and extracts are also offered as dietary supplements in German-speaking countries, especially on the Internet. The plant is then sometimes referred to as “world green” or “kopou bean”. The basis is the tradition of use in East Asia and recent research results there. A study by the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment from 2012 came, among other things, to the following conclusions: “There are no reports of harmful effects of the root powder of P. lobata or the extracts made from it.... ... Due to a lack of data, the root drug of P. lobata and extracts made from it should not be taken during pregnancy and breastfeeding as a precaution, and they should also not be consumed by children or by women in the postmenopausal phase until further data are available. ... Based on the available scientific data, health risks cannot be ruled out, particularly from long-term consumption of P. lobata roots and their preparations.” According to the EU Novel Food Regulation, placing products made from kudzu root on the market requires approval , which is only granted upon request. This is not yet available. In a ruling dated January 30, 2014, the Celle Higher Regional Court banned a provider from offering kudzu capsules. This legal situation also applies to all other providers. (Excerpt from Wikipedia)
According to the IUCN, kudzu is one of the 100 most aggressive invasive neophytes worldwide. In just a few years, under favorable site conditions, the plant species can completely cover and destroy existing vegetation. Originally planted in the USA to protect against erosion, the economic damage is now estimated at over half a billion dollars per year.