Herbs & Botanicals · Herbs · Chinese root rich in isoflavones, with small alcohol and menopause studies and real drug cautions
Kudzu (Pueraria montana var. lobata)
Pueraria montana var. lobata (Willd.) Maesen & S.M.Almeida ex Sanjappa & Predeep (GBIF accepted; also written Pueraria lobata (Willd.) Ohwi), family Fabaceae · also called Kudzu root, ge gen (gegen), Puerariae lobatae radix. Not the same as Pueraria mirifica (Thai kwao krua).
Kudzu is a climbing vine from Asia. Its starchy root, called ge gen in Chinese medicine, is used as medicine and food, and is rich in isoflavones such as puerarin and daidzein. Research is small: a few trials of one extract in heavy drinkers, one open-label menopause study, and a separate set of Chinese trials of puerarin injection for heart conditions. The root has estrogen-like activity, so it carries cautions for hormone-sensitive cancers, and rat data show a dangerous interaction with methotrexate.
General information, not medical advice. Last substantive update · Not medically reviewed. A named clinician has not signed off on this page. How this page is made
About Kudzu (Pueraria montana var. lobata)
Kudzu root is a traditional Chinese medicine and food. Modern research is thin: a few trials of one patented extract in heavy drinkers, one open-label menopause study, and a body of Chinese trials of puerarin injection. Safety questions, not benefits, are the clearest findings: estrogen-like activity, a methotrexate interaction in rats, and case reports of liver and kidney injury.
What it is
Kudzu is the root of Pueraria montana var. lobata, also written Pueraria lobata. GBIF lists the second name as a synonym, and NCBI Taxonomy lists the variety (taxonomy ID 3893). It is a legume (Fabaceae). In Chinese medicine the root is called ge gen and is also eaten as a starchy food and powder.
Kudzu is not the same plant as Pueraria mirifica (Thai kwao krua), which has its own estrogen-like research, nor Pueraria tuberosa (Indian kudzu).
How it may work
The root is rich in isoflavones, mainly puerarin, with daidzin, daidzein and genistein. In people, puerarin from an extract was absorbed within about 2 hours and had a half-life of about 4.3 hours.
MSK says kudzu has estrogen-like activity, which explains both the menopause interest and the hormone-sensitive cancer caution. In lab and animal work puerarin also changes liver enzymes that break down medicines.
Three products with the same name
Results do not carry over between products. Standardized root extracts were used in the alcohol and menopause studies. Whole root or fresh juice is the food form linked to a kidney case. Puerarin injection is a purified drug given by vein in China, with its own trials and its own risks, such as a report of immune red-cell destruction. A flower and mandarin peel blend was used in one hot flash trial.
Who ran the research
The alcohol trials come from one hospital group. Two authors were granted a patent for the extract, and the hospital licensed it to a company that markets it. The 2026 trial says no author works for that company. The 2021 menopause study was run by employees and shareholders of its sponsor. Reviews of puerarin injection report no commercial conflicts but include low-quality trials.
At a glance
Traditional uses history, not proof
- Root used as medicine and food in China for a very long time (first recorded in an ancient Chinese materia medica)
- Traditional use for the heart and for diabetes (MSK)
- Root powder and starch used as food
Studied for research
- Heavy drinkers not in treatment drinking less, low certainty
- Alcohol use disorder in treatment, insufficient (2026 trial found no benefit over placebo)
- Menopause symptoms (root extract), very low; hot flashes (flower and mandarin peel blend), low
- Bone breakdown markers, very low
- Unstable angina and chronic heart failure (puerarin injection in China, not a supplement), low
- Cluster headache, very low (self-reports only)
- Blood pressure, diabetes, neck pain: insufficient
Main compounds
- Puerarin (CID 5281807), the main isoflavone
- Daidzin (CID 107971)
- Daidzein (CID 5281708)
- Genistein (CID 5280961)
Common forms
- Standardized root extract (used in the alcohol and menopause trials)
- Dried root, root powder or juice (food use)
- Flower and mandarin peel blend (one trial)
- Puerarin injection (a purified drug given by vein in China)
Research links: Lukas 2013: kudzu extract in heavy drinkers (PubMed) · Keith 2026: kudzu in people in alcohol treatment (PubMed) · Bihlet 2021: kudzu root extract, menopause (PubMed) · Shao 2022: puerarin injection, unstable angina (PubMed) · MSK: Kudzu · Research Library · Genes & Biomarkers Library
The plant and its history
- Accepted scientific name
- Pueraria montana var. lobata (Willd.) Maesen & S.M.Almeida ex Sanjappa & Predeep
- Naming authority
- (Willd.) Maesen & S.M.Almeida ex Sanjappa & Predeep
- Synonyms
- Pueraria lobata (Willd.) Ohwi
- Common names
- Kudzu (English); Ge gen (gegen) (Chinese (pinyin)); Puerariae lobatae radix (Latin drug name)
- Botanical family
- Fabaceae (legume or pea family)
- Classification
- Plantae > Tracheophyta > Magnoliopsida > Fabales > Fabaceae > Pueraria > Pueraria montana
- Native range
- A perennial vine native to Asia; Kou 2025 reports it is found in Asia, Europe and America, with major populations in southern China.
- Habitat
- Not described in sources read.
- What the plant looks like
- Roots: Large starchy roots are the medicinal and food part (Kou 2025: roots and powder are used as food); Stems: Not described in sources read; Leaves: Not described in sources read; Flowers: Flowers are a separate preparation; Fruit: Not described in sources read
- Cultivation
- Not covered in the sources read.
- Harvest and processing
- Not covered in the sources read.
- Look-alikes and adulterants
- Name: Pueraria mirifica (P. candollei var. mirifica); Note: Thai kwao krua, a different estrogenic herb with its own research; MSK cites reviews of it separately.; Name: Pueraria tuberosa (Indian kudzu); Note: Different species; one hypertension trial of it exists and does not apply to kudzu.
- Sustainability and conservation
- Not covered. It is widely described as invasive in some regions, which was not verified here.
Traditional use and history history, not clinical proof
| Tradition or era | Documented use | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional Chinese medicine | The root (ge gen) was first recorded in Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing and is used as medicine and food (Kou 2025). MSK also notes traditional use for heart disease and diabetes. | p40709088 |
Traditional use shows how a plant was used. It does not show that a supplement works or is safe today.
What is inside, and how it may work
What the plant contains and how those compounds act in cells and animals. Laboratory and animal mechanisms are not proven effects in people.
Main compounds
| Compound | Family | Where it is concentrated | Activity studied | Level of evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Puerarin PubChem 5281807 | Isoflavone C-glycoside | Root Main isoflavone of kudzu extract (Penetar 2006) | Rapidly absorbed by mouth, peak at about 2 hours, half-life about 4.3 hours in people. Also made into an injectable drug in China. 18 13 | Human data |
| Daidzin PubChem 107971 | Isoflavone glycoside | Root Not given in sources read | Listed with the kudzu isoflavones that are studied for alcohol; lab detail not read. 13 | Theory |
| Daidzein PubChem 5281708 | Isoflavone | Root Not given | Named by Kou 2025 as a key root component; estrogen-like activity is stated by MSK. 13 16 | Theory |
| Genistein PubChem 5280961 | Isoflavone | Root Not given | Named by Kou 2025 and MSK among the root's isoflavones. 13 16 | Theory |
Mechanisms, receptors and pathways
| Target or pathway | Gene or receptor | What was found | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Estrogen receptors (isoflavones) | Not specified in sources read | MSK says kudzu has estrogen-like activity, which is why hormone-sensitive cancers are a caution. Human hormone levels did not differ from placebo in the flower trial. 16 12 | Lab |
| Drug-metabolizing enzymes | CYP2D6 (inhibition), CYP1A2 (induction) | Reported in lab studies of puerarin (MSK); in rats puerarin also induced other liver enzymes and cut warfarin effect. 16 8 | Lab |
| Liver cell stress | Mt1, Bax (mRNA up) | In mouse liver cells kudzu extract and puerarin raised these genes linked to acute-phase response and cell death. 25 | Animal research |
Absorption, metabolism and elimination
- Absorption
- Puerarin from a standardized kudzu extract is absorbed quickly by mouth; peak about 2 hours (human volunteers).
- Distribution
- Not found.
- Metabolism
- Kou 2025 says metabolites made in the liver and gut are crucial to the effects; details not read.
- Elimination
- Half-life about 4.3 hours, unchanged by repeated dosing.
- Bioavailability
- Not given in the abstract.
Isolated compounds versus whole extracts
Three different things carry the name: whole root or juice (food use; kidney case), standardized root extract (alcohol and menopause studies), and purified puerarin injection (Chinese heart studies). Results and risks do not transfer between them. The flower blend is another product.
Nutritional composition
Kudzu root is eaten in China as a starchy food and powder (Kou 2025). It is not a vitamin or mineral source in the sources read.
4 low certainty3 very low certainty4 not enough evidence
What is Kudzu (Pueraria montana var. lobata) good for?
The studied uses and how strong the human evidence is for each. Most results come from very small studies, and the injection rows are about a purified drug, not the herb.
Benefits, one by one
Each card is a research question, not a promise. Tap a goal to filter. Open a card to see the studies, doses and limits.
Drinking less alcohol in heavy drinkers not in treatment (kudzu root extract)
Low certaintyThree small trials of one standardized kudzu root extract found that heavy drinkers drank less beer in a lab setting or fewer drinks per week. Craving did not change. All were tiny, from one research group, and tied to the extract's licence holder.
4 studiesStandardized kudzu root extract (NPI-031 / Alkontrol-Herbal) in every…
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
Lukas 2005: a 7-day course before a laboratory beer session, crossover design, heavy drinkers of both sexes; fewer beers, slower sipping, no change in urge to drink. Penetar 2015: 20 men, one dose 2.5 hours before a 90-minute session; kudzu group fell from 3.0 to 1.9 beers while placebo rose from 2.7 to 3.4. Lukas 2013: 17 young men with alcohol abuse or dependence, 4 weeks of NPI-031 vs placebo; weekly drinks fell 34-57%, more days without drinking, no craving change, no lab-safety changes.
Results
Less drinking in laboratory sessions and in a 4-week outpatient study of young men; no effect on craving.
Effect sizes as reported
Weekly drinks down 34-57% (Lukas 2013, n=17); beers 3.0 to 1.9 vs 2.7 to 3.4 (Penetar 2015, n=20).
Why this rating
Three small trials (10 to 20 people), same research group, short, laboratory based, and the authors hold a patent or licence link to the extract. No reviewers' GRADE available. Rated low rather than moderate.
Form and dose studied
Standardized kudzu root extract (NPI-031 / Alkontrol-Herbal) in every trial. Results do not apply to other kudzu products. Ask a doctor or pharmacist about amounts.
Who was studied
Heavy drinkers not seeking treatment (mostly men; aged 21 to 33 in the longest trial).
Limits
Tiny samples, mostly men, mostly one lab. Industry and patent links. Benefit not shown beyond 4 weeks.
Why researchers looked
Isoflavones from kudzu cut drinking in rats and hamsters (as stated in the 2005 trial), so the root was tested in people.
Traditional use
Used in Chinese medicine for a long time; the sources read give no detail on a traditional alcohol use.
Proposed mechanism Preliminary mechanism
Isoflavones (puerarin, daidzin) are suggested to act on alcohol-related pathways. The sources read do not prove how.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Trials reported no adverse events, but they were short and small. See the Safety tab.
Alcohol use disorder in people already in treatment
Not enough evidenceA small 2026 trial of 19 people with alcohol use disorder who were also getting counselling found kudzu extract did no better than placebo. Both groups cut heavy drinking.
2 studiesKudzu root extract NPI-031. Ask a doctor or pharmacist about amounts.
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
Keith 2026: 19 men and women (9 kudzu, 10 placebo), 8 weeks of kudzu extract (750 mg isoflavones daily) or placebo plus weekly counselling. At 4 weeks both groups had about 40% fewer heavy drinking days; across 8 weeks the average cut was 30% for kudzu and 44% for placebo. No adverse events. MSK also relays that a systematic review (not named there) found no benefit for alcohol use.
Results
No added benefit over placebo with counselling.
Effect sizes as reported
Heavy drinking days cut 30% (kudzu) vs 44% (placebo).
Why this rating
One tiny trial with a null result, from the same group that ran the positive trials. Too small to prove either benefit or no benefit.
Form and dose studied
Kudzu root extract NPI-031. Ask a doctor or pharmacist about amounts.
Who was studied
Men and women aged 27 to 65 with alcohol use disorder, in counselling.
Limits
19 people; same research group; the extract's licence holder got a licence before funding (authors say none works for the company).
Why researchers looked
Follow-up of the earlier trials in people actually seeking treatment.
Traditional use
Not applicable.
Proposed mechanism Preliminary mechanism
Not tested in this study.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
No safety concerns in the trial, which also tracked blood chemistry.
Cluster headache (self-reported by users)
Very low certaintyIn one survey of 16 people with cluster headache who had tried over-the-counter kudzu, most said their attacks were milder. There was no comparison group and no trial.
1 studiesUnspecified over-the-counter kudzu extracts. Ask a doctor or pharmaci…
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
Sewell 2009 interviewed 16 of 235 database members who had used kudzu: 11 (69%) had less intense attacks, 9 (56%) fewer attacks and 5 (31%) shorter attacks, with minimal side effects. Self-reported, unknown products.
Results
Anecdotal improvement only.
Effect sizes as reported
11 of 16 less intense attacks (self-report).
Why this rating
Self-selected users, no control, unknown products. Only suitable for generating a hypothesis.
Form and dose studied
Unspecified over-the-counter kudzu extracts. Ask a doctor or pharmacist about amounts.
Who was studied
People with cluster headache.
Limits
Not a trial. No neck pain or migraine trial of kudzu was found.
Why researchers looked
People with cluster headache try kudzu on their own; the author called for a proper trial.
Traditional use
Not found in the sources read.
Proposed mechanism Preliminary mechanism
Not known.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Do not replace prescribed cluster headache treatment. See the Safety tab.
Menopause symptoms (kudzu root extract)
Very low certaintyOne small open-label study (no placebo) of kudzu root extract in 50 postmenopausal women found lower menopause symptom scores after 4 weeks. Without a placebo group, this cannot show the extract was the cause.
2 studiesKudzu root extract, five schedules. Ask a doctor or pharmacist about …
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
Bihlet 2021: 50 postmenopausal women, five dose schedules of root extract, 4 weeks, no placebo. Menopause Rating Scale total score fell in four of five groups. MSK relays that a systematic review (not named) found no benefit for menopause symptoms.
Results
Lower symptom scores in an open-label study; no placebo comparison.
Effect sizes as reported
MRS total score reduced in 4 of 5 groups (p between <0.0001 and 0.03).
Why this rating
Open-label, 10 women per group, 4 weeks, and the authors work for the sponsor. A relayed review reports no benefit.
Form and dose studied
Kudzu root extract, five schedules. Ask a doctor or pharmacist about amounts.
Who was studied
Postmenopausal women with at least mild symptoms.
Limits
No placebo, short, sponsor-employed authors.
Why researchers looked
Kudzu root is rich in isoflavones, plant compounds that can act a little like estrogen.
Traditional use
Not covered in the sources read.
Proposed mechanism Pharmacological theory
Estrogen-like isoflavone activity is the proposed route (MSK states the estrogen-like activity).
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Estrogen-like activity matters for anyone with hormone-sensitive conditions. See the Safety tab.
Hot flashes (kudzu FLOWER plus mandarin peel blend)
Low certaintyA 12-week placebo-controlled trial in 84 women found a kudzu flower and mandarin peel blend lowered hot flash scores more than placebo. It is a blend of two plants and a different plant part from the root, so it cannot be applied to the root.
1 studiesFlower plus mandarin peel extract only. Ask a doctor or pharmacist ab…
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
Kim 2020: women aged 45 to 60, 1150 mg a day vs placebo for 12 weeks (n=84). Hot flash scores (p=0.041) and severity (p<0.001) improved more than with placebo; no serious adverse events and no hormone changes.
Results
Fewer and milder hot flashes than placebo.
Effect sizes as reported
Hot flash score p=0.041, severity p<0.001 (sizes not in abstract).
Why this rating
One randomized, placebo-controlled trial, but one product, one trial and a combination.
Form and dose studied
Flower plus mandarin peel extract only. Ask a doctor or pharmacist about amounts.
Who was studied
Women aged 45 to 60 with hot flashes.
Limits
Single trial, combination product, effect sizes not read.
Why researchers looked
Hot flashes are the most common reason women try plant estrogens.
Traditional use
Not covered in the sources read.
Proposed mechanism Preliminary mechanism
Not shown in this trial; no hormone differences between groups were seen.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
No serious adverse events in 12 weeks.
Bone and cartilage breakdown markers (blood and urine tests)
Very low certaintyIn two small studies, blood or urine markers of bone breakdown went down in women taking kudzu root extract or the flower and peel blend. These are lab markers, not proof of stronger bones or fewer fractures.
2 studiesRoot extract (Bihlet) and flower plus peel blend (Kim). Ask a doctor …
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
Bihlet 2021: CTX-I fell 18.4% in serum (95% CI -8.1 to -27.5) and 34.2% in urine, and urine CTX-II fell 17.4%, in the group taking the extract most often. Kim 2020: CTx fell more with the flower-peel blend than placebo (p=0.027). No fracture or bone density outcome was found.
Results
Lower bone breakdown markers over 4 to 12 weeks.
Effect sizes as reported
Serum CTX-I -18.4%; urine CTX-I -34.2%; urine CTX-II -17.4%.
Why this rating
Markers only, one open-label study, one blended product. No bone density or fractures.
Form and dose studied
Root extract (Bihlet) and flower plus peel blend (Kim). Ask a doctor or pharmacist about amounts.
Who was studied
Postmenopausal and menopausal women.
Limits
Biomarker change is not clinical benefit.
Why researchers looked
Bone loss speeds up after menopause, and isoflavones are studied for it.
Traditional use
Not covered.
Proposed mechanism Preliminary mechanism
Plant estrogen-like action on bone cells is suggested; it was not tested in these studies.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
See the Safety tab.
Unstable angina (puerarin INJECTION in China)
Low certaintyPuerarin injection is a purified drug given by vein in China, added to usual heart medicine. Meta-analyses of mostly low-quality trials found fewer angina symptoms and attacks than usual medicine alone. This is not a kudzu supplement and is a separate topic from the herb.
4 studiesInjection only, given in hospital. Do not confuse with oral kudzu pro…
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
Shao 2022: 17 trials (n=1,459); better symptom relief (RR 1.22, 95% CI 1.16-1.28), ECG (RR 1.32), fewer attacks (MD -2.22) and shorter attacks (MD -2.00); reviewers' GRADE low. Chen 2025 network meta-analysis (44 studies): puerarin injection reduced attack frequency (SMD -1.8, 95% CrI -3.2 to -0.37), none of the injections shortened attacks, no difference in adverse events. The old Cochrane review (20 trials, n=1,240) rated all trials high risk of bias, found no death data, and its update was withdrawn in 2016 without results.
Results
Better outcomes added to usual care, with low-quality evidence.
Effect sizes as reported
RR 1.22 (1.16 to 1.28) for symptoms; attacks MD -2.22 (-2.53 to -1.90).
Why this rating
Reviewers' own GRADE is low and trial quality is poor. No study reported death or heart attacks as outcomes.
Form and dose studied
Injection only, given in hospital. Do not confuse with oral kudzu products. Ask a doctor or pharmacist about amounts.
Who was studied
Adults with unstable angina in China.
Limits
Poor quality trials, mostly Chinese populations, possible publication bias (Cochrane).
Why researchers looked
Puerarin is the main isoflavone of kudzu root; the injection is widely used in China.
Traditional use
Not applicable (a modern injectable).
Proposed mechanism Preliminary mechanism
Not covered in the abstracts read.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Injection can cause serious reactions such as hemolysis (a case report). See the Safety tab. Chest pain is an emergency.
Chronic heart failure (puerarin INJECTION in China)
Low certaintyA 2025 meta-analysis of 29 mostly Chinese trials found that adding puerarin injection to usual heart failure medicine improved heart pumping measures. The authors say the quality of the trials was suboptimal.
1 studiesInjection only. Ask a doctor or pharmacist about amounts.
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
Fan 2025: 29 trials, 2,480 patients. Ejection fraction up 6.22 points (95% CI 3.11 to 9.33); total effectiveness rate RR 1.26 (1.21 to 1.31). The authors say safety was comparable to conventional therapy and more high-quality studies are needed.
Results
Better heart measures when added to usual care.
Effect sizes as reported
LVEF MD 6.22 (95% CI 3.11 to 9.33).
Why this rating
Authors describe the evidence as suboptimal and varied; no survival outcome in the abstract.
Form and dose studied
Injection only. Ask a doctor or pharmacist about amounts.
Who was studied
Adults with chronic heart failure (trials from China).
Limits
Heterogeneous, low-quality trials.
Why researchers looked
Same injection as above, tested for heart failure.
Traditional use
Not applicable.
Proposed mechanism Preliminary mechanism
Not covered.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
See the Safety tab.
High blood pressure
Not enough evidenceNo trial of kudzu root (the main kudzu plant) lowering blood pressure was found. One small trial used a different plant, Indian kudzu (Pueraria tuberosa), and cannot be used for kudzu.
2 studiesNot applicable. Ask a doctor or pharmacist about amounts.
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
No kudzu-root blood pressure trial found. Verma 2012 tested Pueraria tuberosa tuber (a different species) in 30 people: reported 25 and 11 mmHg falls; not applicable to kudzu.
Results
No usable human data for kudzu.
Effect sizes as reported
Not applicable.
Why this rating
No trial of the right plant.
Form and dose studied
Not applicable. Ask a doctor or pharmacist about amounts.
Who was studied
Not applicable.
Limits
Different species in the only trial found.
Why researchers looked
Kudzu is used in traditional medicine for the heart (as MSK states).
Traditional use
Traditional only; MSK gives no evidence.
Proposed mechanism Preliminary mechanism
Not established.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Do not stop blood pressure medicine. See the Safety tab.
Type 2 diabetes and blood sugar
Not enough evidenceKudzu root has traditional use for diabetes and lowers blood sugar in animals, but no finished human trial was found. A 200-person trial is registered.
3 studiesNot applicable. Ask a doctor or pharmacist about amounts.
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
Chen 2025 is a trial protocol (NCT06494683): 200 people, 12 weeks, main outcome HbA1c. No results. MSK states human studies are lacking. The 2025 Kou review lists anti-diabetic effects as biological activities, largely lab and animal.
Results
No human results.
Effect sizes as reported
Not applicable.
Why this rating
No completed human trial found.
Form and dose studied
Not applicable. Ask a doctor or pharmacist about amounts.
Who was studied
Planned: adults with type 2 diabetes.
Limits
Protocol only.
Why researchers looked
Traditional diabetes use; animal blood-sugar lowering.
Traditional use
Traditional (MSK; 2025 review).
Proposed mechanism Animal research
Animal studies; not tested in people yet.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Kudzu may add to diabetes medicines in animals (MSK). See the Safety tab.
Liver protection and other lab findings
Not enough evidenceReviews describe liver, bone and blood sugar effects of kudzu isoflavones in lab and animal work only. The one mouse safety study found liver harm, so this is not a proven benefit.
2 studiesNot applicable.
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
Kou 2025 (narrative review) states the root has liver-protective activity; the evidence described is largely lab and animal. A mouse study (Wang 2015) found the opposite: kudzu root extract raised liver enzymes. No human trial of liver benefit was found.
Results
Lab and animal only.
Effect sizes as reported
Not applicable.
Why this rating
Lab and animal evidence, with conflicting liver findings.
Form and dose studied
Not applicable.
Who was studied
Not applicable.
Limits
No human data.
Why researchers looked
Lab interest in puerarin.
Traditional use
Traditional food and medicine use in China (Kou 2025).
Proposed mechanism Animal research
Cell and animal studies.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
See the liver section on the Safety tab.
Connections to the rest of health
How Kudzu (Pueraria montana var. lobata) connects to the rest of our health knowledge graph. Every link says what kind of connection it is. A safety link (for example to the liver) is a warning, not a benefit. A study that merely mentions a topic never creates a benefit link.
Explore every connection: goals, body systems, organs, symptoms, genes
A. Wellness goals
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stress Reduction | Potential benefit | Low certainty | Drinking less alcohol in heavy drinkers not in treatment (kudzu root extract): Three small trials of one standardized kudzu root extract found that heavy drinkers drank less beer in a lab setting or fewer drinks per week. Craving did not change. All were tiny, from one research group, and tied to the extract's licence holder. | 14 15 19 18 |
| Stress Reduction | Not enough evidence | Alcohol use disorder in people already in treatment: A small 2026 trial of 19 people with alcohol use disorder who were also getting counselling found kudzu extract did no better than placebo. Both groups cut heavy drinking. | 10 16 | |
| Brain Health | Very low certainty | Cluster headache (self-reported by users): In one survey of 16 people with cluster headache who had tried over-the-counter kudzu, most said their attacks were milder. There was no comparison group and no trial. | 21 | |
| Menopause Support | Potential benefit | Very low certainty | Menopause symptoms (kudzu root extract): One small open-label study (no placebo) of kudzu root extract in 50 postmenopausal women found lower menopause symptom scores after 4 weeks. Without a placebo group, this cannot show the extract was the cause. Hot flashes (kudzu FLOWER plus mandarin peel blend): A 12-week placebo-controlled trial in 84 women found a kudzu flower and mandarin peel blend lowered hot flash scores more than placebo. It is a blend of two plants and a different plant part from the root, so it cannot be applied to the root. | 1 16 12 |
| Womens Wellness | Potential benefit | Very low certainty | Menopause symptoms (kudzu root extract): One small open-label study (no placebo) of kudzu root extract in 50 postmenopausal women found lower menopause symptom scores after 4 weeks. Without a placebo group, this cannot show the extract was the cause. Bone and cartilage breakdown markers (blood and urine tests): In two small studies, blood or urine markers of bone breakdown went down in women taking kudzu root extract or the flower and peel blend. These are lab markers, not proof of stronger bones or fewer fractures. | 1 16 12 |
| Healthy Aging | Potential benefit | Very low certainty | Bone and cartilage breakdown markers (blood and urine tests): In two small studies, blood or urine markers of bone breakdown went down in women taking kudzu root extract or the flower and peel blend. These are lab markers, not proof of stronger bones or fewer fractures. | 1 12 |
| Heart Health | Potential benefit | Low certainty | Unstable angina (puerarin INJECTION in China): Puerarin injection is a purified drug given by vein in China, added to usual heart medicine. Meta-analyses of mostly low-quality trials found fewer angina symptoms and attacks than usual medicine alone. This is not a kudzu supplement and is a separate topic from the herb. Chronic heart failure (puerarin INJECTION in China): A 2025 meta-analysis of 29 mostly Chinese trials found that adding puerarin injection to usual heart failure medicine improved heart pumping measures. The authors say the quality of the trials was suboptimal. | 22 3 24 26 6 |
| Blood Pressure Support | Not enough evidence | High blood pressure: No trial of kudzu root (the main kudzu plant) lowering blood pressure was found. One small trial used a different plant, Indian kudzu (Pueraria tuberosa), and cannot be used for kudzu. | 23 16 | |
| Heart Health | Not enough evidence | High blood pressure: No trial of kudzu root (the main kudzu plant) lowering blood pressure was found. One small trial used a different plant, Indian kudzu (Pueraria tuberosa), and cannot be used for kudzu. | 23 16 | |
| Blood Sugar Balance | Not enough evidence | Type 2 diabetes and blood sugar: Kudzu root has traditional use for diabetes and lowers blood sugar in animals, but no finished human trial was found. A 200-person trial is registered. | 4 16 13 | |
| Liver Support | Preliminary mechanism | Not enough evidence | Liver protection and other lab findings: Reviews describe liver, bone and blood sugar effects of kudzu isoflavones in lab and animal work only. The one mouse safety study found liver harm, so this is not a proven benefit. | 13 25 |
B. Body systems
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nervous System | Biological association | Low certainty | Studied for: Drinking less alcohol in heavy drinkers not in treatment (kudzu root extract) Studied for: Alcohol use disorder in people already in treatment | 14 15 19 18 10 16 21 |
| Reproductive System | Biological association | Very low certainty | Studied for: Menopause symptoms (kudzu root extract) Studied for: Hot flashes (kudzu FLOWER plus mandarin peel blend) | 1 16 12 |
| Endocrine System | Biological association | Very low certainty | Studied for: Menopause symptoms (kudzu root extract) Studied for: Type 2 diabetes and blood sugar | 1 16 4 13 |
| Musculoskeletal System | Biological association | Very low certainty | Studied for: Bone and cartilage breakdown markers (blood and urine tests) | 1 12 |
| Cardiovascular System | Biological association | Low certainty | Studied for: Unstable angina (puerarin INJECTION in China) Studied for: Chronic heart failure (puerarin INJECTION in China) | 22 3 24 26 6 23 16 |
| Metabolism Weight | Biological association | Not enough evidence | Studied for: Type 2 diabetes and blood sugar | 4 16 13 |
| Hepatic System | Biological association | Not enough evidence | Studied for: Liver protection and other lab findings | 13 25 |
E. Health conditions
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Herb-induced liver injury | Adverse effect or risk | Not enough evidence | One case report plus mouse data. Preparation or compound: Kudzu root extract with mistletoe |
11 25 |
| Acute interstitial nephritis | Adverse effect or risk | Not enough evidence | One biopsy-confirmed case. Preparation or compound: Kudzu root juice |
9 |
| Alcohol use disorder | Potential benefit | Low certainty | Small trials in heavy drinkers; null result in treatment-seeking people. Preparation or compound: Standardized kudzu root extract |
15 10 |
I. Biomarkers
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CTX-I (bone breakdown marker) | Biological association | Very low certainty | Measured in trials: lowered. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. | 1 12 |
| CTX-II (cartilage breakdown marker) | Biological association | Very low certainty | Measured in trials: lowered. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. | 1 |
| Left ventricular ejection fraction (heart pumping) | Biological association | Low certainty | Measured in trials: raised. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. | 6 |
J. Genes, receptors and enzymes
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CYP2D6 / CYP1A2 | Preliminary mechanism | Lab | Lab effects of puerarin on drug-metabolizing enzymes (via MSK). | 16 |
L. Active compounds
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Puerarin | Biological association | Human | Rapidly absorbed by mouth, peak at about 2 hours, half-life about 4.3 hours in people. Also made into an injectable drug in China. Preparation or compound: Root |
18 13 |
| Daidzin | Biological association | Theory | Listed with the kudzu isoflavones that are studied for alcohol; lab detail not read. Preparation or compound: Root |
13 |
| Daidzein | Biological association | Theory | Named by Kou 2025 as a key root component; estrogen-like activity is stated by MSK. Preparation or compound: Root |
13 16 |
| Genistein | Biological association | Theory | Named by Kou 2025 and MSK among the root's isoflavones. Preparation or compound: Root |
13 16 |
Each connection is stored with the ingredient, the connected record, the kind of connection, the evidence status, the supporting studies, the preparation or compound involved, and a review date (last reviewed October 25, 2026).
Evidence at a glance: what changed in 3 lab markers
Tap a number to show only those markers. Counts are markers, not people.
The evidence
The research centre for Kudzu (Pueraria montana var. lobata). Every record here was checked against PubMed or the publisher's page; we never list a study we have not verified.
Evidence by outcome
Bars show how many studies we found for each outcome, not how well it works. People are added up across trials only (reviews are not added, to avoid double counting).
How we rate evidence
High certainty
Several well-run trials or reviews agree; further research is unlikely to change the picture much.
Moderate certainty
Good trials point the same way, but some doubt remains.
Low certainty
Small, short or inconsistent trials. The finding could change with better research.
Very low certainty
Very little or very weak human data. Treat as a possibility only.
Mixed findings
Trials or reviews disagree with each other.
Not enough evidence
Not enough human research to say either way.
Evidence against
Good research found no benefit, or found harm.
We take the reviewers' own risk-of-bias and GRADE statements where they exist, and otherwise judge from study size, design, consistency, directness and whether a product matches what is sold. Many publications do not make evidence high. Method note: We started from our existing kudzu summary, searched PubMed, read the abstract of every PubMed study cited, read the MSK patient page, and checked plant names in GBIF and NCBI Taxonomy and compound IDs in PubChem. NCCIH, EMA and LiverTox were checked and nothing could be found or read.
Study library: every study we checked 26
| Study | Design | People | Product, dose, length | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bihlet 2021 The Efficacy and Safety of Multiple Dose Regimens of Kudzu (Pueraria lobata) Root Extract on Bone and Cartilage Turnover and Menopausal Symptoms. Frontiers in Pharmacology · PMID 34744740 · DOI |
Controlled trial |
50 Postmenopausal women (mean age 54.2) with at least mild menopausal symptoms |
Kudzu root extract, five dose schedules root Five once-, twice- or three-times-daily schedules 4 weeks · vs None (open-label, five parallel groups, no placebo) |
In the highest-frequency group serum CTX-I fell 18.4% (95% CI -8.1 to -27.5), urine CTX-I 34.2%, urine CTX-II 17.4%. Menopause Rating Scale total score fell in four of five groups. Well tolerated; no serious adverse events. CTX-I serum -18.4% (95% CI -8.1 to -27.5) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: CTX-I (bone breakdown marker), CTX-II (cartilage), Menopause Rating Scale, safety Limitations: Open-label, no placebo group, 4 weeks, 10 women per group; marker changes are not fractures or proven symptom relief. Funding and conflicts: All authors are employees or shareholders of the sponsoring companies (NBCD A/S, Nordic Bioscience A/S) and one is at the clinic. Read: abstract |
| Chen 2013 Puerarin-induced immune hemolytic anemia. International Journal of Hematology · PMID 23661032 · DOI |
Case report |
1 One patient given puerarin |
Puerarin (injectable drug) isolated compound Not stated in abstract Not stated · vs None |
Severe drug-induced immune hemolytic anemia with drug-dependent antibodies reacting with red cells only when puerarin was present. Authors advise caution. Not applicable Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Hemoglobin, antibody tests Limitations: One case; abstract says it was rarely reported; route and dose not stated in the abstract. Funding and conflicts: Not stated. Read: abstract |
| Chen 2025 Efficacy and safety of different traditional Chinese medicine injections in the treatment of unstable angina pectoris: a systematic review and Bayesian network meta-analysis. Frontiers in Pharmacology · PMID 40144650 · DOI |
Network meta analysis |
4362 Unstable angina, 44 studies, 21 injection types |
Traditional Chinese medicine injections including puerarin injection isolated compound (puerarin) Varied Varied · vs Standard treatment |
Puerarin injection reduced angina attack frequency (SMD -1.8, 95% CrI -3.2 to -0.37). No injection shortened attack duration. No significant difference in adverse events from the injections. SMD -1.8 for attack frequency Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Angina attack frequency and duration, adverse events Limitations: Mostly Chinese populations; indirect comparisons; many injections pooled. Funding and conflicts: No commercial conflicts stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Chen 2025 Efficacy and safety of Pueraria lobata radix as an adjuvant therapy for type 2 diabetes mellitus: rationale, design and protocol for a randomised controlled trial. BMJ Open · PMID 40413050 · DOI |
Trial protocol |
200 Planned: adults with type 2 diabetes |
Pueraria lobata root (planned) root Not given in abstract 12 weeks (planned) · vs Placebo (planned) |
Protocol only. States that kudzu root has shown blood-sugar-lowering effects in animal models and that human studies so far used herbal formulas or extracts. No results yet Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: HbA1c (planned primary) Limitations: No results published in the record read. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Registered NCT06494683. Read: abstract |
| Chiang 2005 Life-threatening interaction between the root extract of Pueraria lobata and methotrexate in rats. Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology · PMID 15936791 · DOI |
Animal research animal |
Rats | Pueraria lobata root decoction with methotrexate root 2.0 and 4.0 g/kg of decoction Single co-administration · vs Methotrexate alone |
Methotrexate exposure rose 127.9% and 207.8% with the two decoction amounts; deaths occurred in 14.3% and 57.1% of rats. By vein, half-life rose 53.9% and clearance fell 47.9%. AUC +127.9% and +207.8% Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Methotrexate blood levels, clearance, deaths Limitations: Rats given very large amounts of decoction; not shown in people. Funding and conflicts: Not stated. Read: abstract |
| Fan 2025 Efficacy and safety of puerarin injection as an adjunctive therapy for chronic heart failure: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in Pharmacology · PMID 40391374 · DOI |
Meta-analysis |
2480 Adults with chronic heart failure, 29 randomized trials |
Puerarin INJECTION added to conventional medicine isolated compound Varied Varied · vs Conventional medicine alone |
Ejection fraction up by 6.22 points (95% CI 3.11 to 9.33), total effectiveness RR 1.26 (1.21 to 1.31). Authors say safety was comparable to standard care but evidence quality was suboptimal and trials varied. LVEF MD 6.22 (95% CI 3.11 to 9.33) (MD 6.22, 95% CI 3.11 to 9.33) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Ejection fraction, cardiac output, effectiveness rate Limitations: Suboptimal trial quality and heterogeneity (authors). Effectiveness rate is a composite rating. Not an oral kudzu product. Funding and conflicts: No commercial conflicts declared. PROSPERO CRD42022371583. Read: abstract |
| GBIF Secretariat 2026 GBIF species match: Pueraria montana var. lobata GBIF API · Source |
Database record |
Pueraria montana var. lobata (Willd.) Maesen & S.M.Almeida ex Sanjappa & Predeep: ACCEPTED, EXACT match, confidence 99, family Fabaceae, key 2977647. Pueraria lobata (Willd.) Ohwi is listed as a SYNONYM of it. Not applicable Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Accepted name Limitations: Names only. Funding and conflicts: Public database. Read: database-record | ||
| Ge 2017 Puerarin offsets the anticoagulation effect of warfarin in rats by inducing rCyps, upregulating vitamin K epoxide reductase and inhibiting thrombomodulin. Biopharmaceutics & Drug Disposition · PMID 27925234 · DOI |
Animal research animal |
Rats | Puerarin (oral and intravenous) with warfarin isolated compound Not given here 5 days · vs Warfarin alone |
Puerarin shortened warfarin half-life and lowered its blood levels, and shortened prothrombin time, meaning it REDUCED warfarin's anticoagulant effect in rats. Authors say clinical impact needs checking. Not applicable Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Warfarin levels, prothrombin time, liver enzyme activity Limitations: Rats; isolated puerarin, not kudzu root; direction is opposite to bleeding. Funding and conflicts: Not stated. Read: abstract |
| Jung 2013 Acute interstitial nephritis following kudzu root juice ingestion. Clinical Nephrology · PMID 24060140 · DOI |
Case report |
1 Middle-aged woman, Korea |
Kudzu root juice root Not stated 10 days · vs None |
Loss of appetite, stomach discomfort and raised waste products in the blood; biopsy showed acute interstitial nephritis; improved within days of stopping and supportive care. Described as the first such case. Not applicable Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Kidney function, biopsy Limitations: One case; juice contents not analysed. Funding and conflicts: Not stated. Read: abstract |
| Keith 2026 Effects of kudzu extract on alcohol consumption among men and women seeking treatment for alcohol use disorder. Drug and Alcohol Dependence Reports · PMID 42779941 · DOI |
Controlled trial |
19 Men and women aged 27-65 with alcohol use disorder, in treatment, with weekly counselling |
Kudzu extract NPI-031 root 750 mg isoflavones daily 8 weeks · vs Matched placebo plus counselling |
Both groups cut heavy drinking days by about 40% at week 4; over 8 weeks the average reduction was 30% with kudzu and 44% with placebo. No adverse events or safety concerns. Kudzu did not beat placebo. Kudzu 30% vs placebo 44% reduction Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Heavy drinking days per week, safety labs Limitations: Only 19 people (9 kudzu, 10 placebo); same research group; the product's licence holder funded access; authors state no personal conflict. Funding and conflicts: McLean Hospital negotiated a licence for the extract with Natural Pharmacia International before funding; authors say none are affiliated with the company. Read: abstract |
| Kim 2015 Liver injury induced by herbal extracts containing mistletoe and kudzu. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine · PMID 25668233 · DOI |
Case report |
1 55-year-old man in Korea |
Mistletoe extract (1 month) plus kudzu root extract (10 days) root Not stated 10 days kudzu · vs None |
ALT up to 1528 IU/L and AST 1108 IU/L, bilirubin 9.4 mg/dL; recovered after stopping both. The causality score pointed to mistletoe as the probable cause, with the authors naming both extracts in the final diagnosis. Not applicable Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Liver tests Limitations: One case with two herbs, so kudzu cannot be separated out. Funding and conflicts: Not stated. Read: abstract |
| Kim 2020 Efficacy and Safety of Kudzu Flower-Mandarin Peel on Hot Flashes and Bone Markers in Women during the Menopausal Transition: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Nutrients · PMID 33105861 · DOI |
Controlled trial |
84 Healthy women aged 45-60 with hot flashes |
Extract mixture of kudzu FLOWER and mandarin peel (not root) flower 1150 mg/day 12 weeks · vs Placebo |
Hot flash scores (p = 0.041) and severity (p < 0.001) improved more than placebo; CTx fell more (p = 0.027). No serious adverse events and no hormonal changes in either group. Differences from baseline significant vs placebo; sizes not in abstract Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Hot flash score and severity, bone turnover markers (CTx, osteocalcin), hormones, safety Limitations: One combination product, flower plus mandarin peel, so effects cannot be given to kudzu alone or to root. Single trial. Funding and conflicts: One author is at LG Household and Healthcare (affiliation noted); authors declare no conflict; funders had no role. Read: abstract |
| Kou 2025 Unveiling the power of Pueraria lobata: a comprehensive exploration of its medicinal and edible potentials. Frontiers in Pharmacology · PMID 40709088 · DOI |
Narrative review |
Review of plant, chemistry and lab activity | Pueraria lobata (root mainly) root n/a n/a · vs n/a |
Root is medicine and food in China; main isoflavones include puerarin, daidzein, genistein, biochanin A and formononetin; liver, bone and blood-sugar effects are described as biological activities (largely lab and animal). Not applicable Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Source, history, chemistry, biological activity Limitations: Narrative review; abstract only read; claims of benefit are mostly lab and animal. Funding and conflicts: None declared. Read: abstract |
| Lukas 2005 An extract of the Chinese herbal root kudzu reduces alcohol drinking by heavy drinkers in a naturalistic setting. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research · PMID 15897719 · DOI |
Controlled trial |
Male and female heavy drinkers, laboratory beer-drinking session | Kudzu root extract (isoflavone-containing) root Not stated in abstract 7 days then a drinking session · vs Placebo (crossover, order counterbalanced) |
Fewer beers consumed after kudzu; more sips, longer time per beer, smaller sips; no significant effect on urge to drink. No side effects reported. Significant reduction in number of beers (size not given in abstract) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Beers consumed, sips, urge to drink Limitations: Sample size not in abstract; one laboratory session after only 7 days; same research group as the later trials (McLean Hospital). Funding and conflicts: Public research funding (NIH). Two authors later held a patent on the kudzu extract (stated in the 2013 paper). Read: abstract |
| Lukas 2013 A standardized kudzu extract (NPI-031) reduces alcohol consumption in nontreatment-seeking male heavy drinkers. Psychopharmacology · PMID 23070022 · DOI |
Controlled trial |
17 Men aged 21-33 with alcohol abuse/dependence, not seeking treatment, about 27.6 drinks a week |
Standardized kudzu extract NPI-031 (Alkontrol-Herbal) root 250 mg isoflavones three times daily 4 weeks treatment, 2 weeks follow-up · vs Matched placebo |
Weekly drinks reduced 34-57%; fewer heavy drinking days; more abstinent days; no effect on craving; no adverse events and no change in vital signs, blood chemistry, kidney or liver function. 34-57% fewer drinks per week Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Drinks per week, heavy drinking days, abstinent days, craving, safety labs Limitations: Very small (17 young men); one group; short; not in treatment, so results do not apply to people in a treatment programme. Funding and conflicts: Authors held a granted patent for the extract; McLean Hospital licensed it to Natural Pharmacia International, which markets it as Alkontrol-Herbal; one author has a financial interest in the company. Read: abstract |
| Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center 2022 Kudzu: Purported Benefits, Side Effects & More MSK About Herbs · Source |
Authoritative guidance |
General patient information | Kudzu root n/a n/a · vs n/a |
Says kudzu has estrogen-like activity, to avoid it with hormone-sensitive cancers and tamoxifen; methotrexate (animal study) and antidiabetic drugs (animal studies) cautions with unknown human relevance; lab CYP2D6 inhibition and CYP1A2 induction; a systematic review (not named) found no benefit for alcohol or menopause; case reports of kidney inflammation and liver injury. It does not address pregnancy, breastfeeding or blood thinners. Not applicable Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Patient-facing herb summary Limitations: Secondary summary; the unnamed reviews were not found or read here. Funding and conflicts: Non-profit cancer centre. Read: full-text |
| NCBI 2026 NCBI Taxonomy record 3893: Pueraria montana var. lobata NCBI Taxonomy · Source |
Database record |
Taxonomy ID 3893: Pueraria montana var. lobata, rank varietas, status active. Not applicable Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Accepted name Limitations: Names only. Funding and conflicts: Public database. Read: database-record | ||
| Penetar 2006 Pharmacokinetic profile of the isoflavone puerarin after acute and repeated administration of a novel kudzu extract to human volunteers. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine · PMID 16884345 · DOI |
Pharmacokinetic study |
Human volunteers | Kudzu extract (McLean standardized extract) root Single and repeated doses Samples over 8 or 72 hours · vs None |
Puerarin was absorbed rapidly by mouth, peaked at about 2 hours, half-life about 4.3 hours, not changed with repeated dosing. Half-life about 4.3 h Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Puerarin blood levels Limitations: Group size not in abstract; one extract. Funding and conflicts: Same research group as the alcohol trials; the extract was later licensed to a company. Read: abstract |
| Penetar 2015 A single dose of kudzu extract reduces alcohol consumption in a binge drinking paradigm. Drug and Alcohol Dependence · PMID 26048637 · DOI |
Controlled trial |
20 Men, binge drinking laboratory session |
Kudzu extract (Alkontrol-Herbal), 520 mg isoflavone content in 2 g root Single dose 2.5 hours before a 90-minute drinking session Single dose · vs Placebo (10 per group) |
Kudzu group fell from 3.0 to 1.9 beers; placebo group rose from 2.7 to 3.4. Kudzu group opened 21 beers after treatment vs 32 at baseline; they drank more slowly. 3.0 to 1.9 beers (kudzu) vs 2.7 to 3.4 (placebo) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Beers consumed in the session Limitations: Ten men per group; one session; laboratory not real life. Funding and conflicts: Authors include a person affiliated with Natural Pharmacia International, Inc., the extract's marketer. Read: abstract |
| Searches 2026-10-25 2026 Regulator checks for kudzu: NCCIH, EMA/HMPC, LiverTox, LactMed Direct page requests and web search · Source |
Database record |
NCCIH page nccih.nih.gov/health/kudzu returned 404. A web search found no EMA/HMPC herbal monograph for Pueraria lobata root, and EMA's own site search could not be read (401). No LiverTox or LactMed entry could be found or read (LiverTox page was behind a robot check; LactMed PubMed title search found none). Not applicable Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Regulatory status Limitations: Absence in these checks is not proof that no document exists. Funding and conflicts: n/a Read: database-record | ||
| Sewell 2009 Response of cluster headache to kudzu. Headache · PMID 19125878 · DOI |
Case series |
16 People with cluster headache who had taken over-the-counter kudzu (16 of 235 in a database) |
Over-the-counter kudzu extract products (unspecified) unspecified Unspecified Self-treatment · vs None |
11 of 16 (69%) reported less intense attacks, 9 (56%) fewer attacks, 5 (31%) shorter attacks; minimal side effects. Author says this is anecdotal and calls for a randomized trial. 69% less intense (self-report) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Intensity, frequency, duration of attacks Limitations: Self-selected users, no control group, self-reported, unknown products. Funding and conflicts: Public funding (NIH); no industry link stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Shao 2022 A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis on the Efficacy of Puerarin Injection as Adjunctive Therapy for Unstable Angina Pectoris. Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine · PMID 35282378 · DOI |
Meta-analysis |
1459 Adults with unstable angina, 17 randomized trials |
Puerarin INJECTION (purified compound, given by vein) added to usual Western medicine isolated compound Varied across trials Varied · vs Usual Western medicine alone |
Better than usual medicine alone for symptoms (RR 1.22, 95% CI 1.16-1.28), ECG (RR 1.32, 1.20-1.44), attack frequency (MD -2.22, -2.53 to -1.90) and attack duration (MD -2.00, -2.39 to -1.61). GRADE: low quality of evidence. RR 1.22 for symptoms; MD -2.22 attacks (RR 1.22, 95% CI 1.16 to 1.28) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Angina symptoms, ECG, attack frequency and duration Limitations: Reviewers' GRADE is low; trials were of low methodological quality. Not a kudzu supplement: an injectable drug used in China. Funding and conflicts: No commercial conflicts declared. Read: abstract |
| Verma 2012 Effect of Pueraria tuberosa DC. (Indian Kudzu) on blood pressure, fibrinolysis and oxidative stress in patients with stage 1 hypertension. Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences · PMID 24171260 · DOI |
Controlled trial |
30 Adults with stage 1 hypertension |
Pueraria tuberosa tuber (a DIFFERENT species, Indian kudzu), 3 g/day tuber 3 g in two divided doses 12 weeks · vs Matched placebo (single-blind) |
Reported falls of 25 mmHg systolic and 11 mmHg diastolic; lower fibrinogen and higher fibrinolytic activity; no side effects reported. SBP -25, DBP -11 mmHg Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Blood pressure, fibrinogen, fibrinolysis Limitations: Different plant from kudzu (P. montana var. lobata). 15 per group, single-blind, a size of effect that is unusually large; not used to rate kudzu. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Wang 2006 Puerarin injection for unstable angina pectoris. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews · PMID 16856037 · DOI |
Systematic review |
1240 Adults with unstable angina, 20 trials |
Puerarin INJECTION isolated compound Varied 7-20 days · vs Western drugs or placebo |
All 20 trials had high risk of bias. Death was not reported by any trial. Authors concluded puerarin injection may help when added to usual treatment but findings should be read with care because of very low quality and possible publication bias. Not pooled in abstract Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Death (not reported), attacks, ECG, nitroglycerine use Limitations: Old (searches to 2004). A 2016 update was withdrawn without results. Funding and conflicts: Cochrane (non-commercial). Read: abstract |
| Wang 2015 Evaluation of kudzu root extract-induced hepatotoxicity. Journal of Ethnopharmacology · PMID 26545459 · DOI |
Animal research animal |
Mice, human liver cell line and mouse liver cells | Kudzu root extract and puerarin root 10 mg/day in mice 4 weeks (mice) · vs Untreated |
Raised ALT and AST and liver tissue changes in mice; cell injury in liver cells. Authors conclude the extract may be hepatotoxic and caution is needed. Not applicable Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: ALT, AST, liver tissue, cell injury Limitations: Mice and cells only; no human data. Funding and conflicts: Not stated. Read: abstract |
| Wang 2016 WITHDRAWN: Puerarin injection for unstable angina pectoris. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews · PMID 27136749 · DOI |
Withdrawn notice |
Notice only | Puerarin injection isolated compound n/a n/a · vs n/a |
The Cochrane update was withdrawn because the author team could not complete it and the editors considered the topic low priority. No findings. Not applicable Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Withdrawal notice Limitations: A withdrawal for lack of resources, not a finding of harm or no effect. Funding and conflicts: Cochrane. Read: abstract |
What we do not know yet
- No independent trial of kudzu for alcohol; the one trial in treatment found no benefit.
- No placebo-controlled trial of kudzu root extract for menopause symptoms; no bone density or fracture data.
- Puerarin injection trials are low quality and mostly Chinese.
- No human interaction studies with methotrexate, tamoxifen, warfarin or diabetes medicines.
- No pregnancy, breastfeeding or children data.
- No EMA, NCCIH, LiverTox or LactMed document found or read.
How new research is added
New studies are found by a saved PubMed search and placed in a review queue. A person reads each one before it changes any rating or safety wording.
Lab markers
What changed in blood or saliva tests during trials. A changed number is not the same as feeling or being healthier, and we give no "normal ranges".
Other 3
CTX-I (bone breakdown marker)
Lowered in trials
A blood or urine marker released when bone is broken down.
Very low certaintyResults and what it means
Why it was measured
Rises after menopause as bone loss speeds up.
Statistical vs. clinical meaning
A marker change, not a bone density or fracture result. One open-label study and one blended-product trial.
Safety implication
None identified in these studies.
CTX-II (cartilage breakdown marker)
Lowered in trials
A urine marker of cartilage breakdown.
Very low certaintyResults and what it means
Why it was measured
Studied as a marker of joint cartilage loss.
Statistical vs. clinical meaning
Open-label marker result only; no joint symptoms or imaging in the abstract.
Safety implication
None identified.
| Study | Result | People | Product |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Urine CTX-II -17.4% (95% CI -2.5 to -30.0, p=0.02) | 50 postmenopausal women | Kudzu root extract, most frequent schedule, 4 weeks |
Left ventricular ejection fraction (heart pumping)
Raised in trials
The share of blood the heart's main chamber pushes out with each beat.
Low certaintyResults and what it means
Why it was measured
Used to follow heart failure.
Statistical vs. clinical meaning
A measurement, not survival or hospital stays; trial quality suboptimal per the authors.
Safety implication
Injection risks apply. See the Safety tab.
| Study | Result | People | Product |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | MD +6.22 points (95% CI 3.11 to 9.33) | 2,480 people with chronic heart failure across 29 trials | Puerarin INJECTION added to usual medicine |
Safety
What studies and official sources say about side effects, medicines and who should check first. Each point shows what kind of evidence it comes from.
Main points to know 5
- Estrogen-like activity: avoid with hormone-sensitive cancers and tamoxifen. MSK says kudzu has estrogen-like activity and that people with hormone-sensitive cancers such as ER-positive breast cancer should avoid it. It also advises against combining it with tamoxifen, which it may counteract. MSK does not give human data for either point. Authoritative guidance 16
- Liver and kidney injury cases exist. A man developed liver injury after taking mistletoe extract and kudzu root extract together; the authors blame mistletoe as probable and name both. A woman developed acute kidney inflammation after 10 days of kudzu root juice. A mouse study found raised liver enzymes. The short human trials of one extract measured liver tests and found no change. Case report 11 9 25 15
- Methotrexate: serious animal interaction. In rats, a kudzu root decoction raised methotrexate exposure by 128% to 208% and caused deaths in some animals. MSK lists methotrexate as a medicine not to combine and says the human relevance is not established. Treat it as a real warning for anyone taking methotrexate. Animal research 5 16
- Puerarin injection is a separate, riskier product. Puerarin injection is a drug given by vein. A case report describes severe immune hemolytic anemia (red cells destroyed) caused by puerarin. Injection reactions should be treated as hospital matters, not as supplement side effects. Case report 2
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: no data. No pregnancy or breastfeeding safety data were found in the sources read. With estrogen-like compounds, avoiding it is the cautious choice. Pharmacological theory
Side effects 4
| Effect | How often | Severity and recovery | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mild or no side effects in short trials of one extract Trials were small (17 to 84 people) and 1 to 12 weeks. Absence of side effects in small short trials is not proof of safety. | Not established | Not applicable Not applicable | Controlled trial 14 15 10 1 12 |
| Short blood-test changes including anemia and liver tests in a small study of postmenopausal women Relayed by MSK; the original study was not identified, so this is not verified. The 2021 open-label trial reported no serious adverse events. | Not established | Transient (as MSK describes) Transient | Authoritative guidance 16 |
| Acute interstitial nephritis (kidney inflammation) after kudzu root juice One reported case; described by the authors as the first. | Not established | Moderate; biopsy-confirmed Improved within days of stopping | Case report 9 |
| Immune hemolytic anemia from puerarin (injectable) Injection product, not oral kudzu. | Not established | Severe in the reported case Not stated in the abstract | Case report 2 |
Liver
One case report of hepatocellular liver injury (ALT 1,528 IU/L, bilirubin 9.4 mg/dL) after mistletoe plus kudzu root extracts; both extracts were stopped and the liver tests fell by day 8. The causality scoring pointed mainly to mistletoe. A mouse study found kudzu root extract raised ALT and AST. In human trials of a standardized extract (17 and 19 people), liver function and blood chemistry were monitored with no change reported. No LiverTox entry could be found or read. 11 25 15 10
How often. No frequency of liver injury is available.
Monitoring. No monitoring advice was found. Stop and seek care for yellow eyes or skin, dark urine, pale stools or strong upper-right belly pain.
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This is a safety connection. It is not evidence that Kudzu (Pueraria montana var. lobata) supports liver health.
Medicines and supplements 8
| With | Why it matters | Importance | Evidence | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Methotrexate prescription | Slower elimination of methotrexate in rats given a kudzu root decoction (half-life up 53.9%, clearance down 47.9% by vein). | Potentially serious because methotrexate has a narrow safety margin; human relevance not established (MSK). | Animal research Not enough evidence 5 16 | Avoid combining unless the prescriber agrees. |
| Tamoxifen and other hormone-blocking cancer medicines prescription | Kudzu's estrogen-like activity may counteract tamoxifen (MSK). | No human interaction study found. | Authoritative guidance Not enough evidence 16 | Avoid; ask the oncology team. |
| Warfarin (blood thinner) prescription | In rats, puerarin sped up warfarin breakdown and shortened prothrombin time, so it REDUCED warfarin's effect. | Could lower protection against clots rather than raise bleeding; clinical impact unknown (authors say it needs checking). Puerarin was isolated and given for 5 days. | Animal research Not enough evidence 8 | Tell the prescriber; do not start or stop kudzu without INR monitoring. |
| Antiplatelet drugs and other blood-thinning herbs (aspirin, clopidogrel, ginkgo, danshen) prescription | An antiplatelet (blood-thinning) action of puerarin is sometimes proposed, but no source read documents it for kudzu. | No human interaction or bleeding case found; the antiplatelet effect is not verified here. | Pharmacological theory Not enough evidence | Ask a pharmacist, especially before surgery or with other blood thinners. |
| Diabetes medicines (insulin, metformin, sulfonylureas) prescription | MSK says animal studies suggest kudzu may increase the activity of antidiabetic drugs; kudzu lowers blood sugar in animals. | Possible low blood sugar; no human study. | Animal research Not enough evidence 16 4 | Check blood sugar more often if you combine; tell the prescriber. |
| Medicines broken down by CYP2D6 or CYP1A2 prescription | MSK says puerarin inhibited CYP2D6 and induced CYP1A2 in lab studies. | Clinical relevance unknown. | Laboratory research Not enough evidence 16 | Ask a pharmacist. |
| Other estrogen-containing products (hormone therapy, other isoflavones) supplement | Added estrogen-like effects in theory. | No study of the combination found. | Pharmacological theory Not enough evidence 16 | Ask a doctor, especially with hormone-sensitive conditions. |
| Alcohol and alcohol treatment medicines other | Trials in drinkers saw no safety signal, but combination with naltrexone, disulfiram or others was not studied in the abstracts read. | No interaction data. | Authoritative guidance Not enough evidence 10 | Do not replace prescribed alcohol treatment with kudzu. |
Who should check first 5
| Situation | Advice | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Hormone-sensitive cancer (such as ER-positive breast cancer) or taking tamoxifen | Avoid (MSK). | Authoritative guidance 16 |
| Taking methotrexate | Avoid unless the prescriber agrees (rat interaction was life-threatening). | Animal research 5 |
| Known liver or kidney disease, or past liver or kidney reaction to herbs | Avoid or ask a doctor; cases of injury have been reported. | Case report 11 9 |
| Pregnancy, breastfeeding, children | No safety data were found; avoid. | Pharmacological theory |
| Planned surgery or taking blood thinners | Ask the care team; interactions are unstudied in people. | Pharmacological theory 8 |
Overdose, product quality and regulators
Summary. There is no human toxicity study. Animal data signal liver stress and a dangerous methotrexate interaction.
Animal. Mice given extract 10 mg/day for 4 weeks had raised ALT/AST and liver tissue changes; rats given decoction with methotrexate had deaths in 14.3% to 57.1%.
Human doses studied. Short trials of standardized extract (up to 8 weeks, up to 750 mg isoflavones daily in the 2026 trial). Ask a doctor or pharmacist about amounts.
High dose or long term signals. No long-term human safety data (longest trial 12 weeks).
Overdose response. Not found.
Genotoxicity. Not found in the sources read.
Toxic plant parts. Not named in sources read. Root juice linked to kidney inflammation in one case.
Kudzu supplements are sold as root powders, extracts and blends. No contamination or adulteration study of kudzu products was found.
Product content. Trials used standardized extracts labelled by isoflavone content; the sources read note that content varies between products, so results do not carry over to other brands. 15 19
Look-alike species. Pueraria mirifica (Thai kwao krua) and Pueraria tuberosa (Indian kudzu) are different plants with their own effects; MSK cites reviews of P. mirifica separately. Do not treat their results as kudzu results. 16 23
When to get medical help
- Yellow eyes or skin, dark urine, pale stools or severe upper-right belly pain
- Much less urine, swelling, vomiting or new back pain
- Swelling of lips or throat, hives, wheeze or trouble breathing
- Sudden tiredness, pale skin, dark urine or fast heartbeat after a puerarin injection (possible red-cell destruction)
- New breast lump, unusual vaginal bleeding or bleeding that will not stop
- Very low blood sugar signs (shaking, sweating, confusion) if on diabetes medicine
- Chest pain: call emergency services; do not treat with kudzu
Stop the supplement and contact a clinician or emergency service. In the US, Poison Control is 1-800-222-1222.
General information only, not medical advice. Ask a clinician or pharmacist before use, especially with medicines, in pregnancy or with a health condition. See the Natural Remedy Safety guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is kudzu used for?
Does kudzu help with alcohol?
Does kudzu help with menopause?
Is kudzu the same as Pueraria mirifica?
Is kudzu safe with breast cancer or tamoxifen?
MSK advises avoiding kudzu with hormone-sensitive cancers such as ER-positive breast cancer and with tamoxifen, because of its estrogen-like activity. Ask your oncology team.
Can I take kudzu with methotrexate?
Does kudzu affect blood thinners or diabetes medicine?
Can kudzu hurt the liver or kidneys?
What is puerarin injection?
Is kudzu safe in pregnancy or when breastfeeding?
No safety data were found, and the root has estrogen-like activity, so avoiding it is the cautious choice. Ask a doctor.
Does kudzu help blood pressure, diabetes or neck pain?
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Editorial transparency
- Written by
- AlternativeMed editorial team. Research compiled with AI assistance, then checked against PubMed records.
- Medical review
- None. This page has not been reviewed by a physician or pharmacist.
- First published
- 2026-10-25
- Last substantive update
- 2026-10-25
- How we research
- We started from our existing kudzu summary, searched PubMed, read the abstract of every PubMed study cited, read the MSK patient page, and checked plant names in GBIF and NCBI Taxonomy and compound IDs in PubChem. NCCIH, EMA and LiverTox were checked and nothing could be found or read.
- How we rate evidence
- See "How we rate evidence" in the Evidence tab.
- Independence
- No product is promoted on this page. No affiliate links are shown. The alcohol trials have patent and licence links to the extract's marketer, flagged in each study record.
Sources 26
Each source was opened and checked. Where we read only the abstract, it says so. The small numbers in the text point here.
- Bihlet AR, Byrjalsen I, Andersen JR, et al.. The Efficacy and Safety of Multiple Dose Regimens of Kudzu (Pueraria lobata) Root Extract on Bone and Cartilage Turnover and Menopausal Symptoms.. Frontiers in Pharmacology. 2021. PMID 34744740. DOI 10.3389/fphar.2021.760629. (abstract)
- Chen F, Liu S, Wu J. Puerarin-induced immune hemolytic anemia.. International Journal of Hematology. 2013. PMID 23661032. DOI 10.1007/s12185-013-1357-1. (abstract)
- Chen Q, Wang H, Zhu L, et al.. Efficacy and safety of different traditional Chinese medicine injections in the treatment of unstable angina pectoris: a systematic review and Bayesian network meta-analysis.. Frontiers in Pharmacology. 2025. PMID 40144650. DOI 10.3389/fphar.2025.1550759. (abstract)
- Chen J, Wang J, Yuan L, et al.. Efficacy and safety of Pueraria lobata radix as an adjuvant therapy for type 2 diabetes mellitus: rationale, design and protocol for a randomised controlled trial.. BMJ Open. 2025. PMID 40413050. DOI 10.1136/bmjopen-2024-092050. (abstract)
- Chiang HM, Fang SH, Wen KC, et al.. Life-threatening interaction between the root extract of Pueraria lobata and methotrexate in rats.. Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology. 2005. PMID 15936791. DOI 10.1016/j.taap.2005.04.015. (abstract)
- Fan H, Yang J, Wang H, et al.. Efficacy and safety of puerarin injection as an adjunctive therapy for chronic heart failure: a systematic review and meta-analysis.. Frontiers in Pharmacology. 2025. PMID 40391374. DOI 10.3389/fphar.2025.1516059. (abstract)
- GBIF Secretariat. GBIF species match: Pueraria montana var. lobata. GBIF API. 2026. (database-record)
- Ge B, Zhang Z, Lam TT, Zuo Z. Puerarin offsets the anticoagulation effect of warfarin in rats by inducing rCyps, upregulating vitamin K epoxide reductase and inhibiting thrombomodulin.. Biopharmaceutics & Drug Disposition. 2017. PMID 27925234. DOI 10.1002/bdd.2054. (abstract)
- Jung JM, Kwon SH, Noh H, et al.. Acute interstitial nephritis following kudzu root juice ingestion.. Clinical Nephrology. 2013. PMID 24060140. DOI 10.5414/cn107850. (abstract)
- Keith DR, Liu J, Vitaliano G, et al.. Effects of kudzu extract on alcohol consumption among men and women seeking treatment for alcohol use disorder.. Drug and Alcohol Dependence Reports. 2026. PMID 42779941. DOI 10.1016/j.dadr.2026.100473. (abstract)
- Kim HJ, Kim H, Ahn JH, Suk HJ. Liver injury induced by herbal extracts containing mistletoe and kudzu.. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 2015. PMID 25668233. DOI 10.1089/acm.2014.0228. (abstract)
- Kim JE, Jeong H, Hur S, et al.. Efficacy and Safety of Kudzu Flower-Mandarin Peel on Hot Flashes and Bone Markers in Women during the Menopausal Transition: A Randomized Controlled Trial.. Nutrients. 2020. PMID 33105861. DOI 10.3390/nu12113237. (abstract)
- Kou B, Meng L, Zhao M, et al.. Unveiling the power of Pueraria lobata: a comprehensive exploration of its medicinal and edible potentials.. Frontiers in Pharmacology. 2025. PMID 40709088. DOI 10.3389/fphar.2025.1578472. (abstract)
- Lukas SE, Penetar D, Berko J, et al.. An extract of the Chinese herbal root kudzu reduces alcohol drinking by heavy drinkers in a naturalistic setting.. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research. 2005. PMID 15897719. DOI 10.1097/01.alc.0000163499.64347.92. (abstract)
- Lukas SE, Penetar D, Su Z, et al.. A standardized kudzu extract (NPI-031) reduces alcohol consumption in nontreatment-seeking male heavy drinkers.. Psychopharmacology. 2013. PMID 23070022. DOI 10.1007/s00213-012-2884-9. (abstract)
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Kudzu: Purported Benefits, Side Effects & More. MSK About Herbs. 2022. (full-text)
- NCBI. NCBI Taxonomy record 3893: Pueraria montana var. lobata. NCBI Taxonomy. 2026. (database-record)
- Penetar DM, Teter CJ, Ma Z, et al.. Pharmacokinetic profile of the isoflavone puerarin after acute and repeated administration of a novel kudzu extract to human volunteers.. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 2006. PMID 16884345. DOI 10.1089/acm.2006.12.543. (abstract)
- Penetar DM, Toto LH, Lee DY, et al.. A single dose of kudzu extract reduces alcohol consumption in a binge drinking paradigm.. Drug and Alcohol Dependence. 2015. PMID 26048637. DOI 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2015.05.025. (abstract)
- Searches 2026-10-25. Regulator checks for kudzu: NCCIH, EMA/HMPC, LiverTox, LactMed. Direct page requests and web search. 2026. (database-record)
- Sewell RA. Response of cluster headache to kudzu.. Headache. 2009. PMID 19125878. DOI 10.1111/j.1526-4610.2008.01268.x. (abstract)
- Shao H, Huang Y, Xu D, et al.. A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis on the Efficacy of Puerarin Injection as Adjunctive Therapy for Unstable Angina Pectoris.. Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine. 2022. PMID 35282378. DOI 10.3389/fcvm.2022.763567. (abstract)
- Verma SK, Jain V, Singh DP. Effect of Pueraria tuberosa DC. (Indian Kudzu) on blood pressure, fibrinolysis and oxidative stress in patients with stage 1 hypertension.. Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences. 2012. PMID 24171260. DOI 10.3923/pjbs.2012.742.747. (abstract)
- Wang Q, Wu T, Chen X, et al.. Puerarin injection for unstable angina pectoris.. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2006. PMID 16856037. DOI 10.1002/14651858.CD004196.pub2. (abstract)
- Wang D, Qiu L, Wu X, et al.. Evaluation of kudzu root extract-induced hepatotoxicity.. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 2015. PMID 26545459. DOI 10.1016/j.jep.2015.11.005. (abstract)
- Wang Q, Wu T, Chen XY, et al.. WITHDRAWN: Puerarin injection for unstable angina pectoris.. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2016. PMID 27136749. DOI 10.1002/14651858.CD004196.pub3. (abstract)