 Kudzu is a plant in the pea family 1 KUDZU 2  It has been used by Traditional Chinese Medicine for thousands of years , to treat: alcoholism, fever, dysentery, diabetes, heart diseases, and more 2,3  In modern medicine, research indicates that kudzu may benefit people at risk for heart disease and diabetes 2, and may reduce alcoholism 3  It is an invasive weed: Millions of acres of U.S. forest land is covered in kudzu 1

Cook with me! 4,5  Prepare the leaves like any leafy green  Make the flowers into wine, jellies, or candy  Use kudzu roots for cooking starch, or tea  Purchase kudzu products online, or in specialty grocers  Store kudzu in a cool, dry, place, and use within a year 5

Nutrient Profile 5  Kudzu root contains over 70 phytochemicals 5 Component Kudzu powder (100 g) Energy (kcal) 345 Good source of protein, fiber, potassium, Protein (g) 21.9 5 Carbohydrate (g) 61.1 calcium, and vitamin A Fiber (g) 48.4  Rich in antioxidants 5 Total Fat (g) 1.5 Saturated Fat (g) 0.1 Potassium (mg) 1,950.0 Calcium (mg) 1,700.0 Iron (mg) 11.6 Sodium (mg) 9.0 Vitamin C (mg) 3.1 Vitamin A (IU) 14,600.0 Allison Parker, UW Dietetic Intern June 9, 2013 1. U.S. National Park Service. Kudzu. Website: http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/pubs/midatlantic/pumol.htm 2. Wong KH, et al. Kudzu root: traditional uses and potential medicinal benefits in diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Ethnopharmacol. 2011 Apr 12;134(3):584-607. 3. Lukas SE, et al. A standardized kudzu extract (NPI-031) reduces alcohol consumption in nontreatment-seeking male heavy drinkers. Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2013 Mar;226(1):65-73. 4. The Kitchn. Did you know you van eat kudzu? http://www.thekitchn.com/did-you-know-you-can-eat-kudzu-92488 5. Blalock Burney, SL. Determination of antioxidant and total phenolic content of pueraria lobata and evaluation of novel food products containing kudzu. Dissertation for PhD in Nutrition, Mississippi State University, May 2010