PARTS USED: Roots and/rhizomes
ACTIONS: Chemical compounds responsible for the anti-alcohol effects are daidzein and daidzin which are isoflavones. Diaphoretic, antispasmodic, anti-hypertensive, antirrhythmia. Digestant, demulcent.
MEDICINAL PROPERTIES: In 1993, a study from Harvard Medical School, reported in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, reported that Kudzu suppresses ETOH intake, and identified the two above mentioned major chemical compounds responsible for this actions. Reportedly highly effective at suppressing alcohol craving and improving the function of organs affected by ingestion of alcohol, without any toxic side effects. Perhaps as much as 80% of alcoholics reported the disappearance of alcohol cravings within 2 to 4 weeks. Also treats diarrhea and dysentery. Reduces high blood pressure, angina and deafness.
COMBINATIONS: Kudzu (6g), goldenthread (3g), skullcap (3g), licorice (2g) for inebriation.
GROWTH PATTERN: A climbing, semi-woody, perennial vine. Vines may grow up to 60 feet in a single season and, as much as one foot a day!. Flowering occurs in late summer and is followed by brown, hairy, flattened seed pods which contain three to ten hard seeds. Common throughout most of southeastern U.S. and found as far north as PA.
SPIRITUAL: Radix P. was described in the Pen-t’sao, one of the earliest Chinese Materia Medica publications around 200 B.C. It was first documented for treating alcohol related disease in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia in 600 A. D.
COUNTERINDICATIONS: None noted
DOSAGE: Root is pulverized to obtain the fresh juice. 150 mg a day, 3-13 gms a day
