Kudzu Root

Applications

Clinical Applications

1. For treating wind-heat common cold with symptoms such as fever and headache, it may be used in combination with pungent-cool exterior-releasing herbs such as mint, chrysanthemum, and Vitex fruit.For wind-cold colds where pathogenic factors become stagnant and transform into heat—manifesting as severe fever, mild chills, headache without sweating, eye pain, a dry nose, mild thirst, and a thin yellow tongue coating—it is often combined with herbs such as Bupleurum, Scutellaria, Angelica dahurica, and Notopterygium, as in the Chai-Ge Jie-Ji Decoction (*Six Treatises on Cold Damage*).This herb not only disperses wind and relieves the exterior to reduce fever but is also particularly effective at alleviating stiffness and pain in the neck and back caused by the stagnation of external pathogens, impaired meridian qi flow, and inadequate nourishment of tendons and vessels. Therefore, for wind-cold colds characterized by a solid exterior without sweating, aversion to cold, and stiffness and pain in the neck and back, it is often combined with Ephedra and Cinnamomum twig, as in the Kudzu Root Decoction (Shanghan Lun).; for cases with a deficient exterior characterized by sweating, aversion to wind, and stiffness and pain in the neck and back, it is often combined with Guizhi and Baishao, as in the Guizhi Jia Gegentang (Treatise on Cold Damage).

2. For the early stage of measles, where external pathogens constrict the exterior and the rash fails to erupt smoothly, it is often used in combination with Shengma, Shaoyao, and Gancao, as in the Shengma Gegentang (Yan’s Treatise on Pediatric Formulas).If measles are in the early stage and the rash has already appeared but is not breaking out smoothly, accompanied by fever, cough, or alternating chills and fever, it can be combined with herbs such as Arctium lappa seeds, Schizonepeta, Cicada Shed, and Peucedanum, as in the Kudzu Root Muscle-Relieving Decoction (*Comprehensive Book on Measles for Saving Lives*).

3. For treating feverish illnesses with fluid depletion and thirst, it is often combined with Reed Rhizome (Lugen), Trichosanthes Root (Tianhuafen), and Anemarrhena Rhizome (Zhimu). To treat diabetes insipidus caused by yin fluid deficiency, it can be combined with Trichosanthes Root, Fresh Rehmannia Root (Xian Dihuang), and Ophiopogon Tuber (Maimendong)—herbs that clear heat, nourish yin, and generate body fluids—as in the Tianhua Powder (from *Ren Zhai Zhi Zhi Fang*).; for cases of internal heat-induced xiaoke characterized by excessive thirst and fluid intake, emaciation, and weakness due to deficiency of qi and yin, it is often combined with herbs such as Wu Mei, Tianhua Fen, Mai Dong, Dang Shen, and Huang Qi, as in the Yuquan Pills (from *Shen’s Book on Respecting Life*).

4. For cases where exterior syndrome has not resolved and pathogenic heat has penetrated to the interior, presenting with fever, foul-smelling diarrhea, a burning sensation in the anus, a yellow tongue coating, and a rapid pulse; or for damp-heat diarrhea and dysentery where heat predominates over dampness, it is often used in combination with Scutellaria baicalensis, Coptis chinensis, and Glycyrrhiza uralensis, as in the Ge Gen Qin Lian Decoction (*Treatise on Cold Damage*).For diarrhea caused by spleen deficiency, it is often combined with herbs such as Ginseng (Ren Shen), White Atractylodes (Bai Zhu), and Wood Fragrance (Mu Xiang), as in the Seven-Ingredient White Atractylodes Powder (from *Direct Decisions on Pediatric Medicines and Syndromes*).

5. For treating stiffness and pain in the neck and shoulders associated with hypertension, such as the Yufeng Ningxin Tablets produced by Beijing Tongrentang, which consist solely of Kudzu Root.

Related Compatibility

1. Kudzu Root combined with Bupleurum: Both herbs can disperse and relieve exterior syndromes to reduce fever; when used in combination, their efficacy is enhanced. This formula can be used to relieve exterior syndromes and reduce fever in cases of common cold with fever, regardless of whether sweating is present or absent. Furthermore, both herbs have the function of lifting and strengthening yang qi; when used together, they are commonly employed to treat conditions such as diarrhea caused by the sinking of spleen qi.

2. Pueraria Root (葛根) combined with Cinnamon Twig (桂枝): Both herbs have the function of resolving muscle tension and dispersing the exterior. Pueraria Root is pungent, sweet, and neutral; it excels at dispersing stagnant heat in the Yangming Meridian and relaxing tendons and vessels. Cinnamon Twig is pungent, sweet, and warm; it can clear stagnation in the Taiyang Meridian and promote the circulation of the Nutritive and Defensive Qi. When used together, they disperse the exterior, reduce fever, and relax tendons while activating the meridians. This combination is commonly used to treat external invasion by wind-cold, characterized by fever, aversion to cold, and stiffness and rigidity in the neck and back.For cases with sweating, combine with White Peony Root (Bai Shao); for cases without sweating, combine with Ephedra (Ma Huang).

3. Kudzu Root Combined with Ephedra: Kudzu root (Pueraria lobata), which is pungent, sweet, and neutral, can disperse and resolve exterior syndromes while relaxing tendons and vessels; Ephedra (Ephedra), which is pungent and warm, excels at inducing sweating and resolving exterior syndromes. When combined, these two herbs not only induce sweating to resolve exterior syndromes and reduce fever but also relax tendons and vessels to alleviate bi syndrome. This combination is commonly used to treat fever, aversion to cold, absence of sweating, and stiffness and pain in the neck and back caused by exogenous wind-cold.

4. Kudzu Root combined with Cimicifuga: Kudzu Root functions to relieve muscle tension, reduce fever, and promote the eruption of rashes; Cimicifuga functions to promote the eruption of rashes and clear heat and detoxify. When used together, these two herbs exert a light, ascending, and dispersing action, penetrating both the interior and exterior of the muscle layer, and jointly achieve the effects of expelling pathogenic factors and promoting the eruption of rash toxins. This combination is commonly used to treat the early stages of measles, characterized by fever, aversion to cold, and incomplete rash eruption, as well as the early stages of maculopapular rashes accompanied by headache and fever.

5. Kudzu Root Combined with Coptis: Kudzu Root is light, clear, ascending, and floating; it stimulates the ascending of the clear yang qi of the spleen and stomach to achieve the effect of stopping diarrhea; Coptis is bitter and cold, clearing heat and drying dampness to stop diarrhea and dysentery. When used together, these two herbs enhance the ability to clear heat, dry dampness, and stop diarrhea and dysentery. This combination is commonly used to treat diarrhea and dysentery caused by internal accumulation of damp-heat in the large intestine.

6. Pueraria Root Combined with Atractylodes: Pueraria Root is light, clear, ascending, and floating; it stimulates the ascension of the clear yang qi of the spleen and stomach to stop diarrhea. Atractylodes is bitter, warm, and drying; it excels at tonifying qi, strengthening the spleen, drying dampness, and stopping diarrhea. When used together, these two herbs strengthen the spleen, raise yang, and stop diarrhea. This combination is commonly used to treat loose stools, poor appetite, and fatigue caused by spleen deficiency.

7. Pueraria Root Combined with Aquilaria and Acorus: Pueraria Root excels at raising the clear yang qi of the spleen and stomach; Aquilaria excels at invigorating blood circulation, dispersing blood stasis, regulating qi, and relieving pain; Acorus excels at dispersing stagnation, opening the orifices, transforming phlegm, and eliminating dampness.When these three herbs are combined, they simultaneously promote ascension and descent while dispersing and unblocking, thereby causing the pure to rise and the turbid to descend, transforming phlegm and dissipating blood stasis, and regulating the flow of qi. This combination is commonly used to treat chest pain (xianbei) caused by phlegm and blood stasis obstructing the chest.

Medicinal Identification

1. Raw Kudzu Root and Roasted Kudzu Root: Both can relieve muscle tension and reduce fever, induce the eruption of measles, generate body fluids to quench thirst, and lift yang to stop diarrhea. Roasted Kudzu Root is made by roasting raw Kudzu Root with wheat bran; it is particularly effective at lifting yang to stop diarrhea and is often used for cases of loose stools. Generally, raw Kudzu Root is preferred for reducing fever and generating body fluids.

2. Bupleurum, Cimicifuga, and Pueraria: Bupleurum, Cimicifuga, and Pueraria are all pungent and cool in nature; they can all release the exterior and raise yang. They can all be used to treat exterior syndromes caused by exogenous pathogens—such as fever and headache—as well as conditions characterized by the failure of clear yang to rise.All three can be combined to treat exterior syndromes caused by wind-cold or wind-heat. Among them, Bupleurum and Cimicifuga both raise yang and lift sagging organs; they can be used to treat organ prolapse resulting from qi deficiency, such as poor appetite, loose stools, chronic diarrhea with rectal prolapse, gastric ptosis, renal ptosis, and uterine prolapse. Additionally, Cimicifuga and Pueraria root both promote the eruption of rashes and are commonly used to treat the early stages of measles when the rash is slow to break out.However, Chaihu is bitter, pungent, and slightly cold in nature; it primarily ascends the qi of the liver and gallbladder and excels at dispersing pathogens (those in the Shaoyang stage, which are neither fully exterior nor interior), reducing fever, and soothing the liver to relieve depression.It is also frequently used for Shao Yang patterns in cold-induced diseases, characterized by alternating chills and fever, fullness and discomfort in the chest and flanks, a bitter taste in the mouth and dry throat, and dizziness; it is a key herb for treating Shao Yang syndromes. It is used to treat fever from the common cold; liver qi stagnation with distending pain in the chest and flanks, irregular menstruation, and dysmenorrhea; and malaria with alternating chills and fever.Shengma, on the other hand, primarily ascends the clear yang qi of the spleen and stomach; its lifting and raising power (ascending yang and lifting the sunken) is stronger than that of Chaihu, and it excels at clearing heat and detoxifying. It is also commonly used for toothaches, mouth sores, swollen and sore throat, rashes caused by warm toxins, erysipelas, and mumps—among various heat-toxin syndromes. Ge Gen, with its sweet, pungent, and cool nature, primarily ascends the clear yang qi of the spleen and stomach to generate body fluids, quench thirst, and stop diarrhea.It is commonly used for feverish conditions with restlessness and thirst, yin deficiency-induced diabetes, as well as heat-induced diarrhea and spleen-deficiency diarrhea. At the same time, Kudzu Root relieves muscle tension and reduces fever; it not only disperses external pathogens to reduce fever but also excels at alleviating stiffness and pain in the neck and back caused by stagnation of external pathogens, impaired meridian flow, and inadequate nourishment of tendons and vessels. Therefore, it is particularly suitable for external-contraction surface syndromes accompanied by stiffness and pain in the neck and back.

3. Kudzu Root and Tianhuafen: Both are sweet and cool tuberous roots from vine plants that can clear heat, generate body fluids, and quench thirst; they are used for thirst caused by heat-related fluid depletion and diabetes. However, Kudzu Root has a light, ascending, and dispersing nature; it belongs to the category of herbs that disperse wind-heat, specializing in relieving muscle tension and reducing fever, as well as promoting the eruption of measles. It is the primary herb for treating exterior syndrome characterized by fever without sweating, headache, and stiffness in the neck and shoulders, and can also be used when measles fail to erupt properly.When stewed until tender, it can also promote the rise of clear yang, stimulating the ascending clear yang qi of the spleen and stomach to stop diarrhea and dysentery; it treats both spleen-deficiency diarrhea and heat-induced diarrhea and dysentery. Its ability to generate body fluids and quench thirst is closely related to its effect of stimulating the upward movement of stomach qi. Currently, the use of Pueraria root alone has shown some efficacy in treating hypertension, angina pectoris caused by coronary heart disease, and sudden-onset deafness.Tianhuafen is sweet, cold, and moist in nature; it belongs to the category of herbs that clear heat and purge fire. It excels at clearing stomach heat while nourishing stomach yin, possesses a strong ability to generate body fluids, and can also clear lung heat, moisten dryness, reduce swelling, and expel pus. It treats both lung-heat dry cough and phlegm-heat cough with blood in the sputum, as well as abscesses, swellings, toxic sores, and trauma-induced injuries.

Related Medicines

1. Chongganling Tablets (from *Essentials of Clinical Drug Use: Traditional Chinese Medicine Formulations*, 2020 Edition)

(1) Composition: Pueraria root, Artemisia annua, Notopterygium root, Ilex pubescens, Isatis root, Gypsum, Verbena, chlorpheniramine maleate, and An’ai’jin.

(2) Functions and Indications: Relieves exterior symptoms, clears heat, dispels wind, and alleviates pain. Indicated for chills, high fever, headache, aching limbs, sore throat, nasal congestion, and cough caused by a common cold where exterior pathogens have not been resolved and have penetrated inward to generate heat.

2. Gastrointestinal Comfort Capsules (from *Clinical Guidelines for the Use of Traditional Chinese Medicine Formulations*, 2020 Edition)

(1) Composition: Gonglaomu, Coptis Rhizome, Phoenix Tail Grass, Two-Sided Needle, Pueraria Root, Chicken Bone Fragrance, Jiu Biying, and Fangji.

(2) Functions and Indications: Clears heat and detoxifies; drains dampness and stops diarrhea. Indicated for diarrhea and dysentery caused by damp-heat in the large intestine, manifested as abdominal pain, diarrhea, or tenesmus with a sensation of incomplete evacuation, and stools containing pus and blood;acute gastroenteritis and dysentery presenting with the aforementioned symptoms.

3. Xiaoke Ping Tablets (from *Essential Guide to Clinical Medication: Traditional Chinese Medicine Formulations*, 2020 Edition)

(1) Composition: Astragalus, Ginseng, Pueraria Root, Asparagus Root, Trichosanthes Root, Coptis, Anemarrhena, Goji Berries, Semen Cuscutae, Gallnut, Schisandra, Salvia Root.

(2) Functions and Indications: Tonifies qi and nourishes yin; clears heat and purges fire. Indicated for diabetes mellitus caused by yin deficiency with dry heat or deficiency of both qi and yin, manifested by thirst with a preference for drinking, excessive appetite, frequent urination, weight loss, shortness of breath, fatigue, and heat in the palms and soles; also indicated for Type 2 diabetes presenting with the aforementioned symptoms.

4. Yufeng Ningxin Tablets (Capsules) (from *Clinical Guidelines for the Use of Traditional Chinese Medicine Formulations*, 2020 Edition)

(1) Composition: Pueraria root.

(2) Functions and Indications: Relieves spasms and alleviates pain; enhances cerebral and coronary blood flow. Indicated for dizziness, headache, and neck pain associated with hypertension; coronary heart disease; angina pectoris; nervous headaches; and early-stage sudden deafness.

5. Sangge Lipid-Lowering Pills (from *Clinical Guidelines for the Use of Traditional Chinese Medicine Formulations*, 2020 Edition)

(1) Composition: Mulberry Parasite, Pueraria Root, Chinese Yam, Hawthorn, Salvia Root, Safflower, Rhubarb, Alisma, Artemisia Capillaris, Dandelion.

(2) Functions and Indications: Tonifies the kidneys and strengthens the spleen; promotes bowel movements and resolves blood stasis; clears heat and drains dampness. Indicated for hyperlipidemia of the spleen-kidney deficiency type with phlegm-turbidity and blood stasis.

Related Prescriptions

1. Chai-Ge Jie-Ji Decoction (from *Six Books on Cold Damage*)

(1) Composition: Bupleurum, dried Pueraria root, licorice, Scutellaria, Notopterygium, Angelica dahurica, Paeonia, and Platycodon.

(2) Functions and Indications: Relieves muscle tension and clears heat. Indicated for exogenous wind-cold that has stagnated and transformed into heat, manifested by gradually subsiding chills, increasing fever, absence of sweat, headache, eye pain, dry nose, restlessness and insomnia, dry throat, deafness, orbital pain, a thin yellow tongue coating, and a floating, slightly洪 pulse.

2. Ge Gen Tang (from *Treatise on Cold Damage*)

(1) Composition: Pueraria root, Ephedra, Cinnamon twig, Fresh ginger, Fried licorice, Peony root, Jujube.

(2) Functions and Indications: Induces sweating to dispel cold and relaxes the tendons and vessels. Indicated for external invasion of wind-cold with obstruction of the acupoints, presenting as a syndrome of exterior excess. Symptoms include chills and fever, headache, stiffness and soreness in the neck and back, body pain without sweating, a white tongue coating, and a floating and tight pulse.

3. Shengma Gegentang (from *Formulas of the Bureau of Harmonious Preparations*)

(1) Composition: Cimicifuga root, Pueraria root, Paeonia root, fried licorice root.

(2) Functions and Indications: Relieves muscle tension and promotes the eruption of rashes. Indicated for the early stage of measles where the rash fails to erupt, presenting with fever, headache, cough, red and watery eyes, thirst, a red tongue with a thin, dry coating, and a floating, rapid pulse.

4. Kudzu Root, Scutellaria, and Coptis Decoction (from *Treatise on Cold Damage*)

(1) Composition: Kudzu root, Scutellaria, Coptis, and fried licorice.

(2) Functions and Indications: Relieves exterior symptoms and clears interior heat. Indicated for cases of “co-existing heat and diarrhea” where exterior symptoms from an exogenous pathogen have not yet resolved and interior heat has become intense. Symptoms include fever with diarrhea, epigastric fullness and restlessness, dry mouth and thirst, shortness of breath with sweating, a red tongue with a yellow coating, and a rapid or hurried pulse.

5. Jade Liquid Decoction (from *Medicine: Integrating Chinese and Western Principles*)

(1) Composition: Raw Chinese yam, raw Astragalus, Anemarrhena, raw chicken gizzard lining, Pueraria root, Schisandra, and Trichosanthes root.

(2) Functions and Indications: Tonifies qi and nourishes yin; consolidates the kidneys and alleviates thirst. Indicated for diabetes mellitus with deficiency of both qi and yin, manifested by dry mouth and intense thirst that is not relieved by drinking water, frequent and copious urination, fatigue and shortness of breath, and a weak, fine, and feeble pulse.

Medicinal Diet Therapy

1. Kudzu Root and Ginger Porridge

(1) Ingredients: 15 grams of kudzu root, 6 grams of ginger, 50 grams of japonica rice, and a small amount of honey.

(2) Preparation: First, place the kudzu root and ginger in an earthenware pot, add an appropriate amount of water, and simmer. Strain out the solids and retain the liquid. Then, add the japonica rice and cook together into a porridge. When the porridge has cooled to lukewarm, pour in the honey and stir until well mixed.

(3) Usage: One dose daily; consume as desired.

(4) Effects: Dispels wind and calms convulsions.

(5) Indications: Wind-heat common cold in children complicated by phlegm and convulsions, presenting with symptoms such as fever, headache, vomiting, and restless crying.

2. Kudzu Root and Green Onion White Decoction

(1) Ingredients: 15 grams each of kudzu root and green onion white.

(2) Preparation: Decoct the kudzu root and green onion white twice, using 250 milliliters of water each time and simmering for 20 minutes; combine the two decoctions.

(3) Usage: Take in two divided doses.

(4) Effects: Clears heat, relieves dryness, generates body fluids, and quenches thirst.

(5) Indications: Common cold with fever, headache, stiff neck, and thirst.

3. Kudzu Root Hangover Relief Juice

(1) Ingredients: 100 milliliters of fresh kudzu root juice, or 30 grams of dried kudzu root.

(2) Preparation: If fresh kudzu root is unavailable, slice the dried kudzu root, place it in an earthenware pot, and simmer for 1 hour. Strain out the residue and set the liquid aside.

(3) Usage: Drink the entire portion at once.

(4) Effects: Clears heat and promotes fluid production; relieves restlessness and quenches thirst; alleviates alcohol intoxication and restores mental clarity.

(5) Indications: For cases of severe internal alcohol toxicity; excessive drinking leading to intoxication that causes dryness and fluid depletion; restlessness, thirst, and headache; vomiting of sour, putrid-smelling substances; and agitation and restlessness.

Notes

Patients requiring treatment with traditional Chinese medicine should first consult a licensed TCM hospital, where a TCM practitioner will conduct a professional diagnosis and prescribe the appropriate herbal formula.