Kudzu extract 50% | Pueraria montana

Kudzu extract 50% | Pueraria montana

Properties: Believe it or not, but kudzu was valued by the people even in ancient times. They noticed that the use of Pueraria montana extract has a very beneficial effect on health. That is the reason why for years this plant has been used by the practitioners of the largest systems of natural medicine – Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurvedic Medicine. Traditionally, kudzu is known for a broad spectrum of action, but now let’s highlight the most important properties.

The extract from P. montana is actually an effective support for women during the menopause. Active compounds found in the root of this plant help women to keep the hormonal balance and that is extremely important during the change of life. They alleviate the symptoms of menopause and help to maintain a good mood. It should come as no surprise that kudzu is an ingredient of many dietary supplements that improve the overall fitness of middle-age women.  

Another traditional application of kudzu would be to support people who struggle with addictions, especially with alcohol dependence. How is that? Well, it has been proven that active compounds found in the extract from the root of kudzu effectively reduce the activity of the reward system caused by alcohol consumption. We need to remember that the reward system is responsible for feelings of pleasure but at the same time it may contribute to addiction. The use of P. montana extract helps to combat addiction, basically because compulsive alcohol drinking does not bring any more satisfaction. Besides that, kudzu inhibits the breakdown of serotonin and dopamine in the brain. These neurotransmitters are of great importance in the context of our well-being and because of P. montana it is much easier to maintain a good mood without using different substances. 

We should not forget that kudzu has a beneficial effect on the whole organism and that fact came to the attention of ancient herbalists. It is an excellent antioxidant so it helps to fight the excess of free radicals that can cause cellular damage. Besides, active compounds present in the root of kudzu support the functioning of the immune system and have anti-inflammatory properties. What is more, by using this plant we can lower the level of cholesterol and take care of the cardiovascular system. Some people use kudzu as the element supporting weight loss because it was discovered that this plant helps to stabilize the level of sugar in the blood. 

Apparently, the list of P. montana properties is pretty extensive. Its efficiency has been proven not only by long practice of natural medicine but also by current research. The results clearly indicate that kudzu positively influences our health, whereby it will be most suitable for people who struggle with addiction and for women in menopause.

Occurrence: Pueraria montana is a species of plant from the family Fabaceae. It is native to  Southeast Asia but it was also present in Japan and the islands of Oceania. In addition, this plant was transferred to the lands in Central Asia, Caucasus, East Europe, southern part of Africa, Central and North America. In those parts of the world it is considered an invasive species and persistent, hard to eradicate weed. It prefers sunlit habitat but it also grows well in partial shade. If it does not have an opportunity to climb the vertical surface, it can grow as a ground cover.

Pueraria montana is a perennial vine with a wooden stem that can grow up to 30 m. Its growth rate in the summer can even reach 30 cm per day. The branch tendrils that grow from the nodes of the stem help this plant to climb the prop. It has trifoliate leaves composed of three leaflets that are large, look like fins of duck and are covered with hair from below. Purple or purpuric flowers are produced at the leaf axis. They are gathered in clusters and they are about 20-30 centimeters long. The flowering period extends from July through October. Then the flowers are transformed into fruits – hairy pods about 5-8 centimeters long with three seeds. It has tuberous roots that contain a high amount of starch. They can reach up to 2 m in length and by weighing up to 30 kg they account for even 50% of the total weight of this plant. They are the herbal raw material that is highly esteemed in Traditional Chinese Medicine and India.

Biochemistry: Most important biologically active compounds present in the root of kudzu are: quercetin, genistein and isoflavonoids like daidzein and puerarin. The content of these compounds is higher than for example in soybean (Glycine max).

Fun fact: The root of Pueraria montana is valued in Traditional Chinese Medicine (where it is called ge gen) and in Ayurveda (known in Sanskrit as kudzu). It has been traditionally used as the cleaner of the organism that protects the liver and kidneys, alleviates the effect of alcohol consumption, has anti-aging properties, helps to lose weight and even makes the boost larger.