Kudzu is a coarse, high-climbing, twining, trailing, perennial vine, native to Japan and China. It also grows in the Southeastern portions of the United States where it helps to control soil erosion, fix nitrogen into the soil, and feed cattle. This herb quickly overgrows its boundaries, and a single vine can grow up to 100 feet in one season, taking over and killing other plants along its path. It can literally grow through rocks. Despite the many important uses of this plant, it is often considered a noxious weed, yet continues to be imported from Asia to be sold as both food and medicine. The genus is named after the Swiss botanist, M. N. Pueraria. Kudzu root has been known for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine. The first written mention of the plant as a medicine is in the ancient herbal text of Shen Nong (circa A.D.100). In traditional Chinese medicine, Kudzu Root is used in prescriptions for the treatment of "wei", or "superficial" syndrome (a disease that manifests just under the surface - mild, but with fever), thirst, headache, and stiff neck with pain due to high blood pressure. It was also recommended for allergies, migraine headaches, measles eruptions in children, and diarrhea. It was also used as a treatment for angina pectoris. The roots provide a fiber for the textile industry. The process for extracting the starch from the roots is tedious and can take up to 120 days, during which it is chopped, washed, pounded into a mass, and filtered up to 50 times. The primary chemical constituents of Kudzu include starch, isoflavonoids, puerarin, daidzein, and phytoestrogens. Kudzu Root is high in isoflavones, such as daidzein, as well as isoflavone glycosides, such as daidzin and puerarin. Depending on its growing conditions, the total isoflavone content varies from 2-12%, with puerarin in the highest concentration, followed by daidzin and daidzein. It has some demulcent properties, making it useful for thirst and dryness. Also, the flowers have been shown to be effective in lessening the desire for alcohol, and thus are used in the treatment of alcoholism. This herb also helps counteract poisons. When Kudzu is roasted in a dry pan, it makes an excellent tonic for the spleen, and helps treat diarrhea. Kudzu is cooked as food in China, where it is used as a thickening agent in making sauces, soups and puddings. It can be used as a starch for people who do not digest grains well. The young leaves, shoots, and flowers can be steamed or sautéed as a vegetable. They may also be pickled. The common name Kudzu also includes the species Pueraria thunbergiana , which is used interchangeably with Pueraria lobata. |
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St. John's Wort is native to Europe. The parts of this plant most often used medicinally include the above ground portions. The name Saint John's Wort is said to be in honor of the Knights of Saint John of Jerusalem who used this herb to treat battlefield wounds. Because the hypericin content produces a bright red hue, the herb is often associated with blood, and is often collected on June 24th, the feast day of John the Baptist. In the early 1900's, a beetle was introduced into the Pacific Northwest to keep this plant under control. Unfortunately, the effects of that action are greatly felt today, since the usefulness of this plant has led to great popularity. St. John's Wort is currently used to treat mild to moderate depression. This herb is most often noted as being astringent, diuretic, expectorant, nervine, vermifuge, and vulnerary. The primary chemical constituents of St. John's Wort include hypericin, pseudohypericin, hyperforing, flavonoids, essential oil, carotene, vitamin C, tannin, and resin. Studies suggest that hypericin may have monoamine oxidase inhibiting properties, though this is not the only way that the herb works. St. John's Wort also appears to influence brain levels of dopamine and norepinephrine, and preliminary studies suggest that it may inhibit functioning of the neurotransmitter serotonin. It may take a couple of months of use before one experiences the full benefits of the herb's antidepressant properties. Saint John's Wort oil, made only from the fresh plant, is a beautiful shade of red and is used to treat bruises, burns, wounds, back pain, varicose veins, hemorrhoids, sunburn, tumors, herpes and nerve pain. St John's Wort also loosens phlegm relieving a variety of respiratory problems including bronchitis.
WARNING : St. John's Wort can have potentially dangerous interactions with some prescription drugs. Consult your physician before taking St. John's Wort if you are currently taking anticoagulants, oral contraceptives, anti-depressants, anti-seizure medications, drugs to treat HIV or prevent transplant rejection, or any other prescription drug. This product is not recommended for use if you are or could be pregnant unless a qualified health care provider tells you to use it. The product may not be safe for your developing baby. Please also review the FDA Public Health Advisory (02/10/00) - "Risk of Drug Interactions with St. John's Wort and Indinavir and Other Drugs." |
