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Kudzu Root (Puerariae Radix)
Sweet in flavor, neutral in nature, non-toxic. It primarily treats Xiao Ke (Wasting and Thirsting syndrome, characterized by excessive thirst, hunger, urination, and weight loss), high fever of the body, vomiting, various Bi syndromes (pain, numbness, and stiffness in limbs and joints), raises Yin Qi, resolves various toxins, treats headache caused by Shang Han (Cold Damage) or Zhong Feng (Wind Strike), releases the muscle layer to induce sweating, opens the Cou Li (pores and interstices), treats Jin Chuang (traumatic wounds from metal weapons), relieves pain, and treats wind-pain in the hypochondrium.

Juice of fresh root: Greatly cold in nature. Treats Xiao Ke and high fever caused by Shang Han.

Ge Qiao (Fruit of Kudzu): Primarily treats dysentery in patients over ten years old.

Leaf: Primarily stops bleeding from Jin Chuang.

Flower: Primarily resolves alcohol toxicity. Also known as Ji Qi Gen, Lu Huo, or Huang Jin. Grows in valleys of Mount Wen. The root is harvested in May and dried in the sun.

(Regarding the toxicity of wild kudzu)
Tao Hongjing states: This is the current Kudzu Root. People usually steam it for food. One should select roots that penetrate deep into the soil and are large, break them, and dry them in the sun. Fresh roots crushed to extract juice can be drunk to resolve fever caused by Wen Bing (Warm Diseases). Dried flowers of Kudzu mixed with soybean flowers and powdered, taken in a dose of one Fang Cun Bi (an ancient measuring spoon, approx. 3-5 grams), prevents intoxication after drinking wine. The variety produced in Nankang and Luling is the best, fleshy with few fibers, sweet and delicious, but inferior locally for medicinal use compared to other regions. On the fifth day of the fifth lunar month at noon, Kudzu root processed into powder is a key medicine for treating Jin Chuang and stopping bleeding. It also treats malaria and sores effectively. The annotation in Tang Bencao states: Ge Qiao is indeed the fruit; Tao Hongjing did not mention this. Although Kudzu removes toxins, the part of the root penetrating five or six cun into the soil is named Ge Dou (sound like "Dou"). Dou refers to the neck. Ingestion causes vomiting due to its slight toxicity. Powdered root is effective for dog bites, and drinking its juice is beneficial. Vine burned to ash, taken orally with water in a dose of one Fang Cun Bi, treats Hou Bi (obstruction and swelling of the throat). According to Chen Cangqi's Bencao: Fresh Kudzu root breaks blood stasis, heals sores, induces abortion, resolves alcohol toxicity, treats body heat and redness, Jiu Huang (alcoholic jaundice), and dark, scanty urination. It allows fasting without hunger; the root can be made into starch. Ministers Yuxi et al., according to Yao Xing Lun, state: Dried Kudzu is a Minister herb. It treats epidemic diseases, rebellious Qi causing vomiting, opens the stomach to promote appetite, resolves alcohol toxicity, and stops thirst. Powdered and cooked treats Jin Chuang, epidemic diseases, and clears heat. Ri Hua Zi states: Kudzu is cold. It treats chest and diaphragm heat, mental restlessness, manic heat, stops bloody dysentery, unblocks the Small Intestine, expels pus, breaks blood stasis, applies to snake and insect bites, and resolves poison arrows. Dried Kudzu has the same efficacy.

Tu Jing states: Kudzu root grows in valleys of Mount Wen and is now found everywhere, especially in Jiangsu and Zhejiang. Sprouts emerge in spring, climbing vines grow one to two zhang long, purple in color. Leaves resemble Paulownia leaves but are greener. Flowers appear in July, resembling pea flowers, but do not bear fruit. Roots resemble arms, purple-black. Harvested on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month at noon. Dried. Those penetrating deep into the soil are superior. Now people often make starch from it for food, which is very beneficial. Lower-grade products include Kudzu starch strips, referring to this. Ancient formulas mostly used the root. Zhang Zhongjing treated Shang Han with Gegen Tang, Gegen plus Banxia formula, and Gegen Huangqin Huanglian Tang, because these herbs primarily treat high fever, release the muscle layer, and open the Cou Li. Ge Hong treated lower back pain by chewing fresh Kudzu root and swallowing the juice; more is better. Leaves treat traumatic wounds. If injured by thorns while traveling in mountains and no medicine is available, crushing leaves and applying them externally is very effective. Zheng Yuan Guang Li Fang: For traumatic wounds complicated by wind-stroke and spasms nearing death, take four liang of fresh Kudzu root, chopped, boil in three sheng of water until one sheng remains, strain, and divide into four warm doses; if the jaw is locked, administer orally for recovery.

Dietary therapy: Steamed Kudzu root resolves alcohol toxicity. Its starch is also excellent. Sheng Hui Fang: Treats epidemic disease with headache and high fever. Wash fresh Kudzu root cleanly, crush to extract one da zhen (large cup) of juice, add one he of fermented soybeans, decoct until six fen remain, remove beans, drink in two doses regardless of time; recovery occurs upon sweating. If no sweat, repeat. If heart heat is present, add ten gardenia kernels, decoct together, strain, and drink. Another formula: Treats persistent thirst and heat in children. Take half a liang of finely cut Kudzu, one zhong zhen of water, decoct until six fen remain, strain, and drink frequently while warm. Wai Tai Mi Yao: Treats severe tendon injury by drinking Kudzu juice. Kudzu white powder (root starch) fried until yellow is applied to sores to stop bleeding. Qian Jin Fang: For drunkenness with unconsciousness, drink one to two sheng of Kudzu juice to awaken. Zhou Hou Fang: Treats sudden incessant dry retching by crushing Kudzu, wringing out juice, and taking one sheng for recovery. Another formula: Treats traumatic wound with wind-stroke and fatal spasms. Crush one jin of fresh Kudzu root, chop, boil in one dou of water until five sheng remain, strain, and take one sheng. If using dried Kudzu, powder it, mix with warm wine, and take a pinch held by three fingers. If the mouth cannot open, consume much bamboo sap. Another formula: Taking fresh Kudzu root leads to self-healing. Eating it is also good. Another formula: For mental distress and irritability due to improper medication, drink fresh Kudzu juice, which is highly effective. If unavailable, take five he of dried Kudzu powder with water, or decoct it. Another formula: For poisoning from eating vegetables, leading to madness, irritability, and violent vomiting/diarrhea, boil Kudzu juice and drink. Mei Shi Fang: Treats trauma to meridians and major vessels with uncontrollable bleeding, where cold blood causes death. Take one jin of chopped fresh Kudzu, boil in nine sheng of water until three sheng remain, divide into three doses. Another formula: Treats tiger bite wounds. Boil fresh Kudzu root to make thick juice, wash the wound. Also take Kudzu powder with water, one Fang Cun Bi, five to six times daily. Another formula: Treats early-stage Shang Han (2-3 days) with headache and high fever. Five liang of Kudzu root, one sheng of finely cut fragrant fermented soybeans, decoct in six sheng of child's urine until two sheng remain, divide into three doses to induce sweating. After exposure to wind, eat scallion and soybean porridge. Another formula: Treats lower bleeding due to heat toxin or consumption of hot foods. Two jin of fresh Kudzu root, crushed to extract one sheng of juice, mixed with one sheng of lotus root juice, taken together. Guang Li Fang: Treats continuous hematemesis due to heart heat. Take half a da sheng of fresh Kudzu juice, ingest at once for immediate recovery. Shang Han Lei Yao: Shang Han has many types, difficult for laypeople to distinguish; this single herb treats multiple conditions. For epidemic diseases, if initially feeling headache, internal heat, and surging pulse, within two days of onset: Take four liang of Kudzu, three sheng of water, one sheng of meat, decoct until half a sheng remains, take. Crushing fresh root juice is even better. Another formula: Treats pregnancy complicated by heat disease and chest oppression. Take two sheng of Kudzu juice, divide into three doses.

Yan Yi states: In the region between Lizhou and Dingzhou, during winter, fresh Kudzu is taken, rubbed in water to extract starch, settled into piles. Soup is boiled first, then the starch blocks are broken and added to the boiling soup. After a while, it becomes gelatinous and tough. It is eaten mixed with honey water. Adding a little ginger is excellent. It primarily treats middle-jiao heat, alcohol-related diseases, and thirst. Excessive consumption promotes urination and laxity. It is very beneficial for those suffering from alcohol intoxication and thirst. Locals also slice it to brew tea for guests, though it is merely sweet without therapeutic benefit. Cooked fresh Kudzu root is also sold as fruit. This practice is seen in Qianzhou, Jizhou, and Nan'an Jun.