Botanical Overview
Pueraria lobata (Fabaceae), commonly known as Kudzu root or Ge Gen, is a climbing vine native to East Asia. The medicinal part is the root (radix), widely used in Traditional Chinese Medicine and increasingly studied in Western herbal practice.
Energetics
Kudzu root exhibits a cooling and moistening energetic profile, with a sweet and acrid taste. It has an ascending directionality and is generally relaxing in tonicity, primarily influencing the body’s qi.
Primary Actions
- Antioxidant
- Anti-inflammatory
- Cardioprotective
- Detoxifying
- Muscle relaxant
Indications
Western
- Hypertension
- Alcohol intoxication
- Migraine
- Fever
- Diarrhea
- Neck stiffness
Syndromes
- Cardiovascular disorders
- Alcohol-related conditions
- Muscle tension
TCM
- Neck stiffness and pain
- Fever
- Diarrhea
- Thirst
- Headache
- Flushed face
Syndromes
- Exterior syndrome with muscle tightness
- Muscle and joint pain
- Yang deficiency-related diarrhea
Ayurveda
Not traditionally used or insufficient data available.
Unani
No significant traditional uses documented.
Constituents & Mechanisms
The root contains isoflavones such as puerarin, daidzein, daidzin, genistein, flavonoids, and saponins which contribute to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cardiovascular effects.
Dosage & Preparations
- Decoction 9-30 g daily
- Powder 3-10 g daily
- Extract standardized to puerarin 10-30 mg/day
- Tincture 1:5 30-40% ethanol 2-5 mL 1-3 times daily
Safety & Contraindications
Generally safe with appropriate use. Use cautiously during pregnancy and lactation due to lack of sufficient safety data. Possible interactions with antihypertensives and anticoagulants warrant monitoring. Overconsumption may lead to gastrointestinal upset.
Astrological Correspondences
No reliably sourced planetary or elemental rulers are identified for Pueraria lobata.
Selected References
- WHO Monographs on Selected Medicinal Plants: Pueraria lobata (Willd.) Ohwi (2007)
- Pharmacopoeia of the People’s Republic of China (2020)
- NIH/National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, Kudzu Root (2020)
- Zhang et al., Phytochemistry and pharmacology of Pueraria lobata (2019)