Family

Fabaceae

Genus

Pueraria

Common Name

kudzu

Plant Figure

Description

Pueraria lobata, known as kudzu, is mostly found throughout East Asian countries. The dried roots of P. lobata have been used medicinally for centuries to treat influenza, muscle stiffness, and other ailments (The Chinese Pharmacopoeia, 2005) with its usage first recorded in the Shennong Bencao Jing, the first comprehensive work on Chinese Medicine. Isoflavonoids, specifically puerarin and daidzein, are the main bioactive compounds found in the roots of P. lobata. Puerarin is known to protect the cardiovascular system and may prevent osteoporosis, liver injury, and inflammation and daidzein decrease blood alcohol levels.