Kudzu Vine

Pueraria montana

Physical Characteristics

Pueraria montana is a deciduous Perennial Climber growing to 10 m (32ft) by 0.3 m (1ft in) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. The flowers are pollinated by Bees, Insects. The plant is not self-fertile. It can fix Nitrogen. Suitable for: medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very acid soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

Distribution

E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines. New Guinea,th the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.

Habitats

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Flowers Leaves Root Shoots Stem Edible Uses: Root - cooked[105 , 171 ]. Rich in starch[109 ]. The root can be up to 1.8 metres long[174 ] and has been known to weigh 35 kilos or more[269 ]. The root contains about 10% of a fine quality starch - this can be extracted and used as a crispy coating in deep fried foods, or as a thickening agent in soups etc[174 , 183 , 303 ]. It can also be made into noodles, or like agar or gelatine is used as a gelling agent for salads[183 ]. The roots are a staple food in Japan, the peeled root contains about 2.1% protein, 0.1% fat, 27.1% carbohydrate, 1.4% ash[179 ]. The starch of the roots contains (per 100 g) 340 calories, 16.5 percent moisture, 0.2 g protein, 0.1 g fat, 83.1 g total carbohydrate, 0.1 g ash, 35 mg Ca, 18 mg P, 2.0 mg Fe, and 2 mg Na[269 ]. A nutritional analysis for the whole root is available. Flowers - cooked or made into pickles[183 ]. Stems and young leaves - raw or cooked[105 ]. A very nutritious food, the fresh young shoots taste like a cross between a bean and a pea[183 ]. The cooked leaves contain (per 100 g) 36 calories, 89.0 percent moisture, 0.4 g protein, 0.1 g fat, 9.7 g total carbohydrate. 7.7 g fibre, 0.8 fat, 34 mg Ca, 20 mg P, 4.9 mg Fe, 0.03 mg thiamine, 0.91 mg riboflavin, 0.8 mg niacin[269 ].

Medicinal Uses

Antidiarrhoeal Antidote Antiemetic Antipyretic Antispasmodic Demulcent Diaphoretic Digestive Dysentery Febrifuge Galactogogue Hypoglycaemic Hypotensive Poultice Skin Styptic The kudzu vine, known as Ge Gen in China, is commonly used in Chinese herbalism, where it is considered to be one of the 50 fundamental herbs[218 ]. Recent research has shown that compounds called 'daidzin' and 'daidzein', which are contained in the roots and the flowers, are a safe and effective method for treating alcohol abuse[238 ]. They work by suppressing the appetite for alcohol, whereas existing treatments interfere with the way the alcohol is metabolised and can cause a build-up of toxins[238 ]. The plant is often used in combination with Chrysanthemum x morifolium in treating alcohol abuse[254 ]. The flowers and the roots are antidote, antiemetic, antipyretic, antispasmodic, demulcent, diaphoretic, digestive, febrifuge, hypoglycaemic and hypotensive[174 , 176 , 218 , 222 , 238 ]. A concoction of the flowers and tubers is used to treat alcoholism, fever, colds, diarrhoea, dysentery, acute intestinal obstruction etc[174 , 176 , 218 , 222 ]. It is useful in the treatment of angina pectoris and migraine[218 ]. The root is frequently used as a remedy for measles, often in combination with Cimicifuga foetida[254 ]. The root contains puerarin. This increases the blood flow to the coronary artery and protects against acute myocardial ischaemia caused by the injection of pituitrin[176 ]. The root can be harvested from the autumn to the spring and is used fresh or dried[238 ]. The flowers are harvested just before they are fully open and are dried for later use[238 ]. The stems are galactagogue and are also applied as a poultice to incipient boils, swellings, sore mouths etc[218 , 222 ]. The seed is used in the treatment of hangover and dysentery[218 , 222 ]. The leaves are styptic[218 ].

Known Hazards

Although no specific mention has been found for this species, the leaves of the closely related Pueraria hirsuta (which might be no more than a synonym for this species) have barbed hairs and these can cause severe irritation[151 ].