Overview

Kudzu (Pueraria montana) is a climbing vine native to Asia. It's now an invasive vine in the US. The root, flower, and leaf are used as medicine.

Kudzu contains ingredients that might counteract the effects of alcohol. It might also have effects like estrogen.

People use kudzu for alcohol use disorder, heart disease, diabetes, menopausal symptoms, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

Don't confuse kudzu with arrowroot, arum, cassava, wahoo, or zedoary. These are not the same.



Uses & Effectiveness

Possibly Effective for

  • Alcohol use disorder. Taking kudzu by mouth might help heavy drinkers consume less alcohol. But kudzu doesn't seem to decrease the craving for alcohol or improve sobriety in people with alcohol use disorder.

There is interest in using kudzu for a number of other purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Kudzu is possibly safe when used for up to 4 months. It's usually well-tolerated.

When applied into the vagina: Kudzu gel is possibly safe when used for up to 12 weeks. It may cause mild irritation during the first few days of use.

Special Precautions and Warnings

When taken by mouth: Kudzu is possibly safe when used for up to 4 months. It's usually well-tolerated.

When applied into the vagina: Kudzu gel is possibly safe when used for up to 12 weeks. It may cause mild irritation during the first few days of use.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if kudzu is safe to use when pregnant or breast feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Bleeding or blood clotting disorders: Kudzu might slow blood clotting. It might make bleeding and blood clotting disorders worse.

Hormone-sensitive condition such as breast cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, endometriosis, or uterine fibroids: Kudzu might act like estrogen. If you have any condition that might be made worse by exposure to estrogen, don't use kudzu.

Liver disease: Taking kudzu might harm the liver. People with liver disease or a history of liver disease should avoid kudzu.

Surgery: Kudzu might affect blood sugar levels and might interfere with blood sugar control during and after surgery. Stop taking kudzu at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.

Interactions

    Moderate Interaction

    Be cautious with this combination

  • Estrogens interacts with Kudzu

    Kudzu might act like estrogen in the body. This might increase or decrease the effects of estrogen medications.

  • Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs) interacts with Kudzu

    Kudzu might lower blood sugar levels. Taking kudzu along with diabetes medications might cause blood sugar to drop too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely.

  • Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs) interacts with Kudzu

    Kudzu might slow blood clotting. Taking kudzu along with medications that also slow blood clotting might increase the risk of bruising and bleeding.

  • Methotrexate (Trexall, others) interacts with Kudzu

    Kudzu might decrease how fast the body gets rid of methotrexate. This might increase the risk of methotrexate side effects.

  • Tamoxifen (Nolvadex) interacts with Kudzu

    Tamoxifen is used to help treat and prevent cancers that are affected by estrogen. Kudzu might act like estrogen in the body. By affecting estrogen in the body, kudzu might decrease the effects of tamoxifen.

  • Medications that can harm the liver (Hepatotoxic drugs) interacts with Kudzu

    Kudzu might harm the liver. Some medications can also harm the liver. Taking along with a medication that can harm the liver might increase the risk of liver damage.

    Minor Interaction

    Be watchful with this combination

  • Caffeine interacts with Kudzu

    Kudzu might decrease how quickly the body breaks down caffeine. This might increase the risk of caffeine side effects, such as jitteriness, headache, fast heartbeat, and others.

Dosing

Kudzu extract and powder have been taken by mouth by adults in varying doses. Kudzu gel has been applied into the vagina in varying doses. There isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of kudzu might be. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult a healthcare professional before using.
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CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

This copyrighted material is licensed from Therapeutic Research Center, LLC. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version.
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