Kuzu: properties, benefits and how to take it

The word kuzu or kudzu is actually used both to designate the product used in traditional oriental or Chinese medicine and in Chinese and Japanese cuisine , as well as the plant from which it is extracted, Pueraria montaba var. lobata .

The Pueraria lobata is a plant family Fabaceae, whose roots, which are the part that is dried and ground to produce the Kuzu, can reach depths of up to 2 meters into the earth. It is a markedly invasive species, as it spreads very quickly and kills other plants by depriving them of light. In fact, it is on the list of the 100 most harmful invasive alien species in the world. However, this does not prevent it from being cultivated and used in a controlled and beneficial way.

These are the main properties and benefits of kuzu or kudzu :

• Kuzu has a multitude of beneficial properties, but the most notable of them is its high content of isoflavones, specifically puerarin. Thanks to these, it is an excellent intestinal regulator, which helps to regenerate the intestinal flora and take care of the intestines. Whether you suffer from constipation or diarrhea or other disorders of this type, the consumption of kuzu can help combat the problem.
• Also thanks to isoflavones, it has also been traditionally used to alleviate the effects of menopause and to regulate some menstrual problems, since it stimulates estrogenic activity.
• In addition, it is also proven effective against cluster headaches, migraines, dizziness and headaches, as well as to improve tinnitus.
• In the East it has been commonly used to reduce alcohol consumption and even to treat hangovers, although in the latter case it is discouraged due to the accumulation of acetaldehyde it causes, and can also be used to treat tobacco addiction.
• It is an alkaline and very energetic food, capable of providing vigor and vitality in cases of fatigue or chronic tiredness.
• Thanks to its high content of daidzein, a powerful anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial, it is also helpful in cases of fever and flu states, helping to combat the disease and partially alleviating its symptoms.
• Finally, it is also very useful as an anxiolytic, with marked relaxing effects and suitable against nervous insomnia.

How do you take kuzu? When purchased in capsule form, it is usual to take one capsule three times a day, approximately every 8 hours, maximum. It is also possible to purchase it in the form of pressed or powdered tablets, most commonly used in cooking for broths and stews.

To make the kudzu mix, follow these steps:

1. Pick up the powder or crush a pill to form a powder with it.
2. A small spoonful per half a cup of water is enough, and the ideal is to first add the powder and then slowly add the water while stirring, thus avoiding lumps from forming in the starch.
3. After mixing it well, put it on the fire and put it to boil for about two minutes, over low heat, until it thickens, at which point it can be taken. Taken in this way, the recommended daily dose of kuzu is between two and three times a day, being very appropriate that the first of them be fasting, especially in case of intestinal problems.

Culinary recipes with kuzu are typically thick soups and broths, as well as being commonly used in tempura. In Japan it is very common to take it together with umeboshi, a type of pickled plum from Japanese cuisine. Here you can discover the Japanese plum or umeboshi, its properties, benefits, how to take it and contraindications .

Despite its beneficial properties, there are cases in which the consumption of this food from the root of a plant is not recommended. These are the main contraindications of kudzu or kuzu :

• As we mentioned above, despite some customs, it is advisable to avoid kuzu for the treatment of hangovers, since it causes the accumulation of acetaldehyde that can be harmful.
• People who suffer from hormone-sensitive cancer, such as breast, prostate or ovarian cancer, should also avoid this product due to its activity in estrogens.
• Its intake is also not recommended for diabetics, as it can cause problems with those with difficulties to generate insulin since it can cause glycemic peaks.
• Those who are taking drugs with anticoagulant effects, such as aspirin, should also avoid the consumption of kuzu, as well as pregnant or lactating women, as with many other substances.
• In the same way, women on hormonal contraceptive treatments should not consume it without first consulting their doctor, as it could intervene with it.