Kudzu is a trailing vine which originated in Japan and Southeast China, but can now be found in several countries across the world where the conditions are right for it to grow, most notably the United States. Its growth is very fast and some in the US have named it the ‘mile-a-minute vine’ or more strongly, ‘the vine that ate the South’. Kudzu has been used for thousands of years in Chinese Medicine, and it is one of the ‘50 fundamental herbs’ used in Chinese Herbology.

Kudzu as a herbal treatment for alcoholism
A major use of Kudzu as a herbal remedy is for the treatment of alcoholism. The Harvard Medical School is currently investigating the efficacy of Kudzu in the reduction of alcohol cravings. Recent clinical trials on humans have shown that Kudzu helps to increase the blood alcohol concentration, meaning that less alcohol is needed to feel the effects .

In a study of Kudzu on animals carried out in 1993 it was found that the active ingredients in Kudzu are the isoflavones daidzin and daidzein which have notable medicinal benefits. Daidzin as a cancer preventative and antileukemic agent whilst Daidzein is an anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial agent . 
Kudzu as a remedy for post-menopausal symptoms
Research has shown that Kudzu blunts the effects of memory loss, hypertension and insulin resistance (a precursor to Type II Diabetes) in post-menopausal women. It was discovered that this is because the Kudzu contains puerarin which steers blood sugar away from fat cells and blood vessels and towards muscle where it can then be used instead of stored .
Other uses of Kudzu

Kudzu has also been linked to alleviating a number of other conditions such as headaches, migraines and diarrhoea. Uses for Kudzu in Chinese Medicine include tinnitus (Ringing of the Ears) and vertigo.

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