The Efficacy, Functions, and Contraindications of Kudzu Root
May 16, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Sun Lianqing
Introduction
It has a pungent and cool nature, capable of dispersing pathogenic factors on the body surface, and alleviating fever, headache, and stiffness and pain in the neck and back caused by exogenous wind-cold or wind-heat感冒. It is especially effective in treating stiffness and discomfort in the neck and back, often combined with herbs such as Ephedra (Ma Huang) and Cinnamon Twig (Gui Zhi) to relieve generalized tension and discomfort caused by exterior syndromes. It can promote body fluid distribution and relieve thirst, dry mouth, and irritability caused by febrile diseases damaging body fluids or internal heat due to yin deficiency, commonly used in treating diabetes mellitus (such as diabetes).
The general functions and effects of Kudzu root (Pueraria lobata) include relieving muscle fever, promoting body fluid production to quench thirst, uplifting yang energy to stop diarrhea, promoting circulation and relieving pain, alleviating alcohol intoxication, and protecting the liver. Contraindications include avoiding use in cases of exterior deficiency with spontaneous sweating, cautious use in individuals with hypotension, unsuitability for those with spleen and stomach deficiency-cold, cautious administration to pregnant women and women during menstruation, and avoiding concurrent use with certain Western medications. Detailed explanations are as follows:
I. Functions and Effects
1. Relieving muscle fever: Kudzu root has a pungent and cool nature, capable of dispersing pathogenic factors on the muscular surface, alleviating fever, headache, and stiffness in the neck and back caused by cold or wind-heat感冒. It is especially effective for treating stiffness and discomfort in the neck and back. It is often combined with Ephedra (Ma Huang) and Cinnamon twig (Gui Zhi) to relieve the sensation of general body tension caused by exterior syndromes.
2. Promoting body fluid production to quench thirst: Kudzu root can promote the distribution of body fluids, alleviating thirst, dry mouth, and irritability caused by heat diseases damaging body fluids or internal heat due to yin deficiency. It is commonly used in treating "Xiao Ke" disease (such as diabetes), and when combined with Trichosanthes root (Tian Hua Fen) and Ophiopogon tuber (Mai Dong), it improves symptoms of excessive thirst and drinking caused by body fluid deficiency.
3. Uplifting yang to stop diarrhea: Kudzu root can raise the clear yang energy of the spleen and stomach, treating diarrhea due to spleen deficiency, chronic diarrhea, and rectal prolapse. By enhancing the function of the spleen and stomach, it improves loose stools and abdominal distension. It is effective for chronic diarrhea caused by damp-heat or spleen deficiency with qi sinking, often combined with Coptis (Huang Lian) and Atractylodes (Bai Zhu).
4. Promoting circulation and relieving pain: Kudzu root can unblock meridians and relax muscle spasms, used for limb pain and joint dysfunction caused by wind-cold-damp bi syndrome, and hemiplegia and numbness after stroke. When combined with Cinnamon twig (Gui Zhi) and Mulberry twig (Sang Zhi), it improves meridian blockage caused by qi and blood stagnation.
5. Alleviating alcohol intoxication and protecting the liver: Kudzu root can promote alcohol metabolism, alleviating headache, vomiting, and epigastric fullness after drinking. By protecting liver cells and reducing alcohol-induced damage, it is often combined with Kudzu flower and Hovenia dulcis seed to relieve discomfort from alcohol intoxication and assist in regulating disharmony of the liver and stomach after drinking.
II. Contraindications
1. Avoid in cases of exterior deficiency with spontaneous sweating: Kudzu root has a pungent-dispersing effect to resolve exterior syndromes. Individuals with exterior deficiency constitution (often with spontaneous sweating and aversion to wind) may experience worsening of qi deficiency and excessive sweating if using it alone, thus it should be avoided to prevent depletion of vital energy.
2. Cautious use in individuals with hypotension: Kudzu root has a certain effect of dilating blood vessels and lowering blood pressure. Hypotensive patients may experience further blood pressure drop, leading to dizziness, fatigue, or even syncope. It should be used cautiously under medical supervision.
3. Unsuitable for individuals with spleen and stomach deficiency-cold: Its cool nature may impair the yang energy of the spleen and stomach. Patients with spleen and stomach deficiency-cold (often with cold abdominal pain and loose stools) may experience worsening symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and cold epigastric pain. When using raw Kudzu root, it should be combined with warming herbs.
4. Cautious administration to pregnant women and women during menstruation: Kudzu root has a cool nature and a certain effect of promoting menstruation. Pregnant women may experience uterine stimulation and an increased risk of miscarriage. Menstruating women may experience reduced menstrual flow or abdominal pain, especially those with cold deficiency constitution should avoid its use.
5. Avoid concurrent use with certain Western medications: When used with antihypertensive or hypoglycemic drugs, it may enhance drug effects, causing hypotension or hypoglycemia. Therefore, these medications should be taken at intervals and relevant indicators monitored. When used with anticholinergic drugs, it may antagonize drug effects, so medication regimens should be adjusted under medical guidance.
When using Kudzu root, it is recommended to follow medical advice and appropriately adjust the dosage according to individual constitution to ensure safe medication use. At the same time, attention should also be paid to maintaining healthy lifestyle habits, such as balanced diet and appropriate exercise.
