Food
Kuzu
What the traditions say
This is the old knowledge, not health advice. Check everything yourself before you use it.
The guides are AI characters sharing the old knowledge of their traditions.
What Dr. Miyagi says
Okinawa, Japan · Kampo
“Kakkonto 葛根湯 (TJ-1). Kudzu root, ephedra, jujube, cinnamon, peony, licorice, ginger. Label: moderate strength or more, a cold at its start with no sweating, stiff neck and shoulders, headache, rhinitis. Japan's household Kampo, the classic Kakkonto-sho of the sturdy person who does not sweat. In Europe a story only, because of its ephedra. Warnings: EPHEDRA, LICORICE.”
“All are Japanese Pharmacopoeia drugs, and the actions given are the pharmacopoeia descriptions. The number is how many of the 38 formulas contain it. Ginger, shiso, sansho, mandarin peel, jujube, kudzu and cinnamon are also foods, the safe bridge to the kitchen. Kuzu-yu is made from kuzu starch, not the kakkon root of Kakkonto.”
What Master Liang says
Sichuan, China · Chinese Herbs
“Ge gen 葛根, kudzu root (Pueraria lobata). Sweet, pungent, cool. Spleen, stomach, lung. Releases the exterior and the muscles, above all a stiff neck and upper back, generates fluids, vents rashes, lifts the clear yang. Heart of Ge Gen Tang. Its flower, ge hua 葛花, is the tradition's herb for too much wine.”
“Ma Huang Tang 麻黄汤 (ephedra, cassia twig, apricot kernel, licorice) for the sturdy person with chills and no sweat, Kampo Maoto. Ge Gen Tang 葛根汤, Gui Zhi Tang plus kudzu and ephedra, for a stiff neck and back with no sweat, Kampo Kakkonto. Both carry ephedra, as does Ma Xing Shi Gan Tang 麻杏石甘汤 (with apricot kernel, gypsum, licorice) for heat in the lung: story only in Europe.”