Japanese Knotweed or Japanese Bushy Knotweed and also known as Polygonum Cuspidatum Rhizoma or Hu Zhang in Chinese medicine has many powerful healing abilities. This wonderful herb contains lots of resveratrol which has been thought to be one of the best anti-aging compounds around, which is also found in grape juice and red wine. This is one of the reasons why the French don’t come down with heart disease because they drink wine rich in resveratrol.
Other Names - This plant is also called Rhizoma Polygoni Cuspidati, Bushy Knotweed Root, Fallopia japonica, Japanese Fleece Flower, Mexican Bamboo, Knotweed Rhizome, Japanese bamboo, giant knotweed, Reynoutria japonica, and other names. Remember this is not Kudzu this is a totally different plant.
Where it Grows - Japanese Knotweed can be found in Canada, US - Especially the Midwest and all the Western States, British Isles, Asia, Newfoundland, New Zealand, and other areas of the world.
Can Be Used as Food - Japanese Knot Weed upper plant greens grows very fast and in China it’s used as food. It can be cooked and used in all kinds of dishes. And the roots also make a refreshing cold drink for hot days. Plus the sap of the plant give food a nice sweet sour flavor that’s used in Chinese food. Unfortunately this plant is considered a evasive plant because it grow so fast, but if people knew how great the plant is for healing… that might change. Japanese Knotweed looks a lot like bamboo in the winter because the dried stalk is hollow.
Parts Used - The yellow roots contain the vital compounds used for healing. But the upper green plant can also be used as food.
Contains Lots of Powerful Compounds - Japanese Knotweed contains, stilbene compounds, glycosides, catechin, protocatechuic acid, 2-methoxy-6-acetyl-7-methyljuglone, β-sitosterol glucoside, torachrysone-8-OD-glucoside, glucose, rhamnose, some amino acids, a good amount of copper and iron for anemia, manganese for enzyme production, zinc for immune support, potassium for hearth contractions and water regulation. Also glycosides such as physcion, emodin, anthraquinone, chrysophanol, and many more powerful antioxidants.
Plus all the resveratrol compounds such as resveratrol 3,4,5-trihydroxystilbene, resveratrol-3-O-β-D-glucoside, and polydatin.
1. Resveratrol Effects - Resveratrol has long been known to slow the aging process, help with inflammation. It also helps with the healing and prevention of cancer, protect the nervous system from the ravages of free radicals, helps the body with stress and seems to extend life in general.
2. Lots of Vitamins - Japanese Knotweed also contains lots of Vitamin A and Vitamin C which are powerful antioxidants.
3. Anti-Inflammatory - Japanese Knotweed because of all the powerful antioxidants helps with arthritis, joint disease, pain, swelling, and redness associated with inflammation. And inflammation is the first step towards disease so using Japanese Knotweed can prevent disease in general.
4. Antibacterial and Antiviral Agent - Japanese Knotweed is a powerful antibacterial agent that helps defend the body against bacterial and viral invaders.
5. Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia - Because Japanese Knotweed contains so many powerful antioxidants including resveratrol it can help prevent and in some cases reverse neuronal plaque buildup in the brain.
6. Liver Detoxing - Japanese Knotweed has been shown in studies with animals to help in the healing process of liver disease and acute liver toxicity.
7. Prevents Heart Disease - This wonderful herb has the ability to prevent cardiovascular disease, thus many people add Knotweed to their diet to prevent cardiovascular challenges.
8. Lowers Blood Pressure - Japanese Knotweed has been shown in studies to lower blood pressure in animals because it contains anthraquinone which dilates blood vessels.
9. Topically for Skin Challenges - Japanese Knotweed can also be used topically by mixing the powder into a paste with water for burns, rashes, and other inflammatory skin challenges.
10. Prevents Cancer - As with all powerful antioxidants they have the ability to help prevent cancer. Studies show that Japanese Knotweed because of it’s high antioxidant rating can help with the healing of breast cancer, colon cancer, prostate cancer, and other types of cancer.
11. Heals the GI Tract - Japanese Knotweed is great for healing GI inflammation, constipation, bloating, gas, cramps, and other chronic digestive problems. Again the main healing agent is resveratrol which is amazing for healing inflammation.
12. Lowers Blood Sugar - Studies show that Japanese Knotweed can lower blood sugar making it important for those who suffer from diabetes. Japanese Knotweed helps to regulate blood sugar and improves insulin sensitivity.
13. Lowers Cholesterol - Studies show that Japanese Knotweed can also lower cholesterol thus helping to prevent cardiovascular disease and strokes.
14. Stops GI Bleeding - Studies with animals show Japanese Knotweed can help to control GI tract bleeding.
15. Great for Gout - Studies show that Japanese Knotweed is super effective at healing the symptoms of gout, thus helping to eliminate the pain and swelling associated with gout. This is because it’s a great detoxing agent and also a powerful antioxidant.
16. Lyme's Disease - Very few compounds seem to help with lyme disease but Japanese Knotweed seems to ease the symptoms of the disease. For Lyme's disease many recommend using from a teaspoon or more (some even recommend a tablespoon) of the powder 3 times a day mixed with juice, this is a much higher dose for Lyme’s disease.
Forms - Japanese Knotweed can be found as powders, tablets, decoction, teas, fortified wines, tinctures, capsules and other forms.
Dose - Most recommend from 10,000 to 15,000 mg of powder, tablets, or capsules daily.
Finding - The roots can be found out in nature and dried and used for healing. And Japanese Knotweed can be found on-line— just google “buy Japanese Knotweed” and lots of places will come up that sell this herb… and Japanese Knotweed can also found on Amazon and Ebay and they ship world wide. Plus you can ask for Japanese Knotweed at your local health food store and at your local Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner or Chinese herb store. And you can also buy Japanese Knotweed by the pound in powder form.
Side Effects - Japanese Knotweed does have side effects if used in very large doses. And of course like all other herbs Japanese Knotweed should not be used by women who are pregnant, nursing, or by small children. Large doses can lead to diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain, and dry mouth. Remember like all herbs please use Japanese Knotweed sensibly and it will do your body good.
Credits: by Dr. Paul Haider - Master Herbalist
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