Indian Kudzu: Best Herb for Strength, Infertility, Sexual Problems (Pueraria Tuberosa)

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

In Sanskrit, the word “Vidari” means the one which emerges/bursts out itself. The plant has been given the name Vidarikanda because when the size of the tuber becomes extremely large it emerges out of the ground. The plant’s tuber has been widely used in ethnomedicine as well as in traditional systems of medicine since ages. Charaka, Sushrut, and Ashtang all described it as a rasayana (rejuvenator) drug.

Bhavamishra used it as a substitute drug for ashtavarga plants. Its tubers work on plasma, blood muscle, and reproductive system. Charaka and Ashtang have kept it under shaka varga whereas Sushrut described it in preparation of many vrishya yogas. Charaka has recommended using it as Vataraktahara paste. In folklore medicine, tubers and leaves of Vidarikanda are used as vegetables.

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2. Common Names

• Family – Fabaceae
• Hindi Name – Bidari
• English Name – Indian Kudju

3. Vernacular Names

• Assamese – Bhedeleton
• Bengali – Vidari
• Gujrati – Vidarikanta
• Kannada – Nelagumbala
• Malayalam – Mudakku
• Marathi – Bhuiankohala
• Tamil – Nilapoosani
• Telugu – Nelagummuda

4. Synonyms

• Ikshugandha – The tuber has aroma like the sugarcane.
• Ksheershukla – Internally, the tuber is milky white in appearance.
• Sita – The potency of the tuber is cold.
• Swadukanda – The tuber is sweet in taste.
• Vrishyakanda – The tuber is an aphrodisiac in action.

5. Classical Categorization

• Charaka Samhita – Balya, Brihganiya, Varnya
• Sushrut Samhita – Vidarigandhadi
• Ashtang Sangraha – Vidaryadi gana
• Dhanvantari Nighantu – Guduchyadi varga
• Madanpal Nighantu – Abhyadi varga
• Kaiyadev Nighantu – Oushadi varga
• Raj Nighantu – Moolakadi varga
• Bhavaprakasha Nighantu – Guduchyadi varga

6. Distribution

It is found throughout India, it grows well in the hilly forests of Himalaya, Sikkim, Kumaun, Mount Abu, Kerala, Deccan plateau, Western Ghats, and Central India.

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7. Morphology

It is a large, spreading, perennial twiner with a large tuberous root. Young branches are gray pubescent.

Leaves – Pinnately trifoliate with petiole 10 to 20 cm long. The leaflets are 12 to 20 cm long, 11 to 18 cm broad. The terminal leaflet broadly ovate, equal sided, acuminate, silky pubescent below, glabrescent above, stipules small.

Flowers – Inflorescence is terminal raceme or panicle. Pedicel 2 to 3 mm long, flowers bisexual, blue purple in color, usually appears when the plant is leafless.

Fruit – Linear, flat, jointed pods about 2 to 5 cm long, with long silky bristly brown hairs. Seeds are three to six in numbers.

Tubers – Globose, pot-like or variable in shape and size, externally rough, dark brown, internally white, starchy, and mildly sweet like madhuyashti.

8. Ayurvedic Properties

Rasa (Taste): It has Madhura (sweet) taste.

Virya (Potency): It is cold in nature (sheeta).

Vipaka (Post-digestive taste): The post-digestive taste is Madhura (sweet).

Guna (Qualities) – Guru, Snigdha

9. Chemical Constituent

The active constituent present in the tuber are pterocarpan-tuberosin, petrocarpanone-hydroxytuberosone, 2 pterocarpenes-anhydrotuberosin and methyl anhydrotuberosin, coumestan, puerarostan, isoflavanoids, puerarone, puerarin, genistein, daidzein and tuberosin. It also contains stigmasterol, carbohydrates, sugar, protein, and crude fibers.

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10. Identity, Purity, and Strength

• Foreign Matter – Not more than 2%
• Total Ash – Not more than 17%
• Acid-insoluble ash – Not more than 4.4%
• Alcohol-soluble extractive – Not less than 4%
• Water-soluble extractive – Not less than 24%

(Source: The Ayurvedic Pharmacopeia of India 1999)

11. Ayurvedic and Pharmacological Actions

Ayurvedic Actions

Classical texts attributed weight promoter, galactogouge, spermatogenesis, improve voice, diuretic, tonic, complexion promoter, rejuvenator and nutrient properties to its tuber. The flowers have Madhura rasa, Madhura vipika, sheet virya, virshya, guru and pittaghna properties.

• Doshakarma – Pitta vataraktashamaka
• Dhatukarma – Balaya
• Malakarma - Mutral

Pharmacological Actions

Scientific research proved Indian Kudzu root as a restorative tonic, galactagogue, antiaging agent, antioxidant, spermatogenic, immunity booster, diuretic, aphrodisiac, hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective and febrifuge.

12. Health Benefits

In Ayurveda it is used in burning sensation, bleeding disorders, general debility, emaciation and fatigue. It stimulates milk production in nursing mothers, increases shukra dhatu, and gives physical strength to the body. In traditional system of medicines, tubers are used for treatment of diabetes, acidity, urinary disorders, intermittent fever, dyspepsia, hepatosplenomegaly, cardiac debility, cough, tuberculosis, leprosy, erysipelas, menopausal syndrome, sexual debility, spermatorrhea and infertility.

13. Therapeutic Uses

Erysipelas – Shatavari and Indian Kudzu powder added with shatadhauth ghrita should be applied locally in affected area.

Dysuria – Regular intake of ghrita and dugdh processed with Indian Kudzu increases urine output and removes discoloration.

Cough - Indian Kudzu, Licorice, Ginger and Bala powders taken daily with honey.

Aphrodisiac – Intake of Indian Kudzu powder mixed with honey and ghee.

Impotency - Indian Kudzu, Velvet bean, Ashwagandha root, Shatavari and Bala, take all powders and mixed them. Take 1tsf of this mixture twice daily with milk to treat impotency.

Inducing Lactation – Intake of Indian Kudzu powder with Shatavari along with milk twice daily increases flow of breast milk.

Acidity – Take 10g Indian Kudzu powder or juice with 2 tsf honey on an empty stomach, every morning and evening to control hyperacidity.

Memory Booster – Take half tbsp. of Indian Kudzu powder with Brahmi twice daily to reduce anxiety and enhance memory.

Malarial Fever – Take juice of Indian Kudzu and Ikshu mixed with honey, ghee, oil and milk. 

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14. Official Part Used

Tuber

15. General Doses

Powder – 3 to 6 g

16. Formulations

Shatavari ghrita, Marma gutika, Puga khanda, Vidaryadi churna, Vidaryadi kwath, Vidaryadi.