Kudzu, an Ancient Chinese Herb & other herbal issues

So, Mom and Dad, you may be interested to know that the ever-troublesome kudzu vine, that has been one of the more destructive invasive plant species in Florida and the southeast, is also an herb in the Chinese Materia Medica. Kudzu is commonly used throughout China (and here now too) to releive stiff neck and back muscles, alleviate some types of diarrhea, and as a preventative hangover remedy! In China business dealings often require nights of heavy drinking to seal the deal and professionals who know will chew on this before heading out for the evening, or (if they forget) while recovering the next day.

Its' Chinese pinyin name is GeGen and botanical name is peuraria. This herb is sweet and acrid and helps to relax the body muscles and open up pores to allow toxins out. The recommended dosage is 10-20 grams, and it can be chewed piece by piece or boiled lightly as a tea. While I don't think you'll be running out to your local Chinese pharmacy to pick up a bagful, or wildly hacking away for the plentiful fruits that grow on this vine, it may be some relief to know that this plant has at least useful qualities. The fruit can also be used to make jam, though I do not know how the medicinal properties are affected in the process.

What many people do not realize is that herbs have strong actions and need to match up with each individual's constitution to be beneficial to health. While one herb may help your neighbor feel vibrant and regular, it may cause you to feel sluggish or have serious digestive difficulties. Kudzu is a mild herb, but not all herbs are as forgiving. While pharmaceutical companies like to isolate each individual "active ingredient”, then synthesize and patent it for mega-profits, the Chinese herbal practitioner considers the subtle way in which the human body responds to flavors and properties of each herb that include more than one molecular compound.

Usually a practitioner will create a formula containing 4-7 herbs in prescribed dosages. The formula is constructed to balance specific properties of each herb so that it is the perfect compliment to the individual’s constitution and current situation or symptoms. This is the “differentiation of syndromes” approach in traditional Chinese medicine that tailors treatment to both the syndrome that and the individual who is being treated. This is very different than the “one size fits all” approach born from pharmaceutical prescriptions.

Not to be too down on pharmies, we are very lucky to beneift from the life saving and life improving drugs available so easily to those of us in the right areas of the world. However, due to lack of understanding about their use in traditional formulas and/or corporate greed, even trained professionals are having a hard time getting access to some herbs that have been used for centuries to treat those who are ailing. Like MaHuang, which contains ephedra. Ephedra was isolated and used for weight loss in doses higher then ever prescribed traditionally, which resulted in serious health issues for enough people that the FDA now regularly confiscates shipments at ports of entry. Now, an irreplacable herb in the chinese pharmacy (never before used to stimulate metabolism in this way) is in danger of being completely restricted.

So, yeah, Kudzu. Neat huh?