The Benefits of Kudzu
By T. K. Barwood
WildWeedsBlog.com
Kudzu is one of those weeds we all know and hate. Kudzu, if left to grow, can take over everything in a matter of months and devour homes in a couple of years, but it can be useful to you.
Kudzu can be your friend if you keep it maintained. When it was brought to the United States in 1876, it was used for soil erosion in the south. So the plant was let go to grow and hold the dirt in place, but eventually became to much for people to control and now is loathed.
The Chinese have been using kudzu as medicine since at least 200 BC. Chinese believe this is a essential plant to have on hand. It is preferred over many because there are little or no side effects known in using it. They use this plant to treat addicts and alcoholics. When the extract from kudzu was administered it decreased the amount of alcohol consumed. This allowed the addicts to ween themselves off of the dependency, decrease DT and give an easier recovery process. (webmd.com).
Kudzu is used to treat many things such as diabetes, kidney disease, hangovers, muscle pains, dysentery, stomach infection, colds and flus just to name a few. But there are many treatments given in injection form today from the kudzu chemical called puerarin. It is used for chest pains, strokes, back pains etc. All from the dreadful plant we see taking over the trees on the highway.
Kudzu leaves and roots are the only parts used. Teas are made from the fresh picked leave to help with that New Years hangover, funny!!!! Anyway the leaves can be used fresh or dried turned in powder; the root is dried and powdered. The powder can be taken is capsules and used as a daily regiment to stop reoccurring cold sores, shingles and genital herpes. Please remember to always consult your doctor before starting a natural supplement.
Till next week, “Love your weeds!!!”
Guest writer T.K. Barwood
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the flowers can also be steeped and made into a beautiful jelly.
If you’re not from the south. You may be wondering about proper care and maintenance for it. Here are some very good pointers.
All you beginning gardeners out there might want to consider growing kudzu as a fine way to launch out into the great adventure of gardening. Kudzu, for those of you not already familiar with it, is a hardy perennial that can be grown quite well by the beginner who observes these few simple rules.
CHOOSING A PLOT: Kudzu can be grown almost anywhere, so site selection is not the problem it is with some other finicky plants like strawberries. Although kudzu will grow quite well on cement, for best results you should select an area having at least some dirt. To avoid lawsuits, it is advisable to plant well away from your neighbor’s house, unless, of course, you don’t get along well with your neighbor anyway.
PREPARING THE SOIL: Go out and stomp on the soil for a while just to get its attention and to prepare it for kudzu.
DECIDING WHEN TO PLANT: Kudzu should always be planted at night. If kudzu is planted during daylight hours, angry neighbors might see you and begin throwing rocks at you.
SELECTING THE PROPER FERTILIZER: The best fertilizer I have discovered for kudzu is 40 weight non-detergent motor oil. Kudzu actually doesn’t need anything to help it grow, but the motor oil helps to prevent scraping the underside of the tender leaves then the kudzu starts its rapid growth. It also cuts down on friction and lessens the danger of fire when the kudzu really starts to move. Change oil once every thousand feet or every two weeks, whichever comes first.
MULCHING THE PLANTS: Contrary to what you may be told by the Extension Service, kudzu can profit from a good mulch. I have found that a heavy mulch for the young plants produces a hardier crop. For best results, as soon as the young shoots begin to appear, cover kudzu with concrete blocks. Although this causes a temporary setback, your kudzu will accept this mulch as a challenge and will reward you with redoubled determination in the long run.
ORGANIC OR CHEMICAL GARDENING: Kudzu is ideal for either the organic gardener or for those who prefer to use chemicals to ward off garden pests. Kudzu is oblivious to both chemicals and pests. Therefore, you can grow organically and let the pests get out of the way of the kudzu as best they can, or you can spray any commercial poison directly onto your crop.
Your decision depends on how much you personally enjoy killing bugs. The kudzu will not be affected either way.
CROP ROTATION: Many gardeners are understandably concerned that growing the same crop year after year will deplete the soil. If you desire to change from kudzu to some other plant next year, now is the time to begin preparations.
Right now, before the growing season has reached its peak, you should list your house and lot with a reputable real estate agent and begin making plans to move elsewhere. Your chances of selling will be better now then they will be later in the year, when it may be difficult for prospective buyer to realize that beneath those lush, green vines stands an adorable three-bedroom house.
Thank Patrick and Stephanie. These are very good point and I appreciate you taking the time to make them for me. I look forward to seeing what else you post within the area.