Kudzu Uses

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I use kudzu root primarily as a thickener as a replacement for corn

starch. Dissolve it in cold liquid before you add it to a " bubbling "

broth. It is used in the same proportions as cornstarch or wheat

flour: one tablespoon of kudzu to one cup of liquid.

 

Whenever, I make " glop " , my bean and vegetable stews, I always thicken

it with kudzu. My local Coop has it available in bulk--it is not very

expensive that way. I don't think the corn lobby would like it, but

as far as a thickener, it can be substituted for corn starch. I have

not tried using it yet to make homemake chocolate pudding, one of my

favorites :-)

 

It also, is very good for helping to heal stomach ulcers, which I am

currently fighting. After eating my kudzu thickened " glop " , the next

day my ulcer always feels better.

 

Kathleen

Eureka CA

 

Here are a few medicinal uses for kudzu. Also, a remedy used in our

> family is as a poultice on burns or scrapes. Kudzu has antibacterial

> and antifungal properties.

>

> Medicinal Uses of Kudzu:

> Kudzu is one of the earliest medicinal plants, used in traditional

> Chinese medicine, with many profound pharmacological actions,

> including antidipsotropic (antialcohol abuse) activity. Research and

> pilot studies at various Universities, found that two isoflavones in

> kudzu, daidzin and daidzein, taken orally, may reduce the craving for

> alcohol, and be of assistance in suppressing the appetite of patients

> with chronic alcoholism. Kudzu influences areas of the central

> nervous system that control the desire for alcohol. Research at

> Jiwaji University, India, found that kudzu extract helps stimulate

> regeneration to areas damaged by toxins. Kudzu has many healing

> properties. These are well documented in `The Book of Kudzu, a

> Culinary and Healing Guide' by W Shurtleff and A. Aoyagi. Uses have

> included: cough and colds, tonsillitis, measles, fevers, diarrhea and

> dysentery, intestinal ailments, enteritis, constipation, to remove

> excess fluid from the body, digestive disorders, bad breath,

> headaches and hangovers, sinus, anemia, internal bleeding, thirst, to

> relieve hunger, for lack of energy, sexual apathy, impotence,

> infertility, asthma, diabetes, bronchitis, pneumonia, hypoglycemia,

> muscles shrinking, dizziness, induce perspiration and as a

> strengthening and invigorating effect on the spleen, stomach and

> intestines, in fact the whole immune system.