Herb latin name: Pueraria pseudohirsuta


Synonyms: Pueraria pseudo-hirsuta


Family: Leguminosae



Medicinal use of Pueraria pseudohirsuta:

The flowers are antivinous. They are used in the treatment of thirst, high fever, abdominal fullness, nausea and vomiting due to alcoholic intoxication. The root is antispasmodic, astringent, diaphoretic and febrifuge. It is used to relieve hunger. A decoction is used in the treatment of exposure-caused colds and fevers, incomplete measles rash breakout, diarrhoea, dysentery and enteritis. The root contains puerarin. This increases the blood flow to the coronary artery and protects against acute myocardial ischaemia caused by the injection of pituitrin.

Description of the plant:



Plant:
Climber

Habitat of the herb:

Hillsides and roadsides.

Edible parts of Pueraria pseudohirsuta:

Root. Rich in starch. The starch in the root can be extracted and used as a crispy coating in deep fried foods, or for thickening soups etc. It can also be made into noodles, or like agar or gelatine is used as a gelling agent for salads.

Propagation of the herb:

Pre-soak the seed for 12 hours in warm water and sow in a warm greenhouse in early spring. Germination should take place within 2 weeks. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out after the last expected frosts. Cover the young plants with a frame or cloche until they are growing away well.

Cultivation of Pueraria pseudohirsuta:

Hillsides and roadsides.

Known hazards of Pueraria pseudohirsuta:

None known

Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future.