Safety Profile
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Interactions
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Evidence and Scientific Findings
Ingredient Overview
Kudzu (Pueraria lobata) root extract is rich in isoflavones including puerarin, daidzin, and daidzein. It is used for cardiovascular support, alcohol craving reduction, and menopausal symptoms. Generally well tolerated at standard doses. Phytoestrogenic activity from isoflavones warrants caution in hormone-sensitive conditions (estrogen receptor-positive cancers, endometriosis, uterine fibroids) and with hormonal medications (OCP, HRT, tamoxifen). May lower blood glucose — monitor in diabetic patients. Rare hepatotoxicity cases have been reported; avoid in liver disease. Avoid in pregnancy.
Biological and Chemical Classification
- Scientific Name
- Pueraria lobata
Mechanism of Action
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Clinical Evidence of Effectiveness
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Pharmacokinetics
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Recommended Dosage
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
SETI — Scientific Evidence Transparency Index
Executive Summary — Ingredient Assessment
- 10 studies reviewed
- 0 high-quality studies (meta-analysis or RCT)
- Main clinical benefit observed: Botanical
- Evidence consistency: High consistency across studies (100%)
- No significant safety signals identified in the reviewed literature.
The available scientific evidence for Kudzu indicates notable safety signals that warrant caution. Use should be considered carefully and monitored, particularly in sensitive populations or alongside other medications.
Total SETI Score
High risk| Evidence quality | 10/40 |
| Evidence consistency | 20/20 |
| Safety signals | 0/20 |
| Study recency | 10/10 |
| Evidence transparency | 10/10 |
Evidence Summary
- 10 studies reviewed
- 0 high-quality studies (meta-analysis or systematic review)
- 0 studies identified benefits or no safety concern (GREEN)
- 10 studies reported limited or advisory safety evidence (YELLOW)
Evidence Policy
Only peer-reviewed scientific literature indexed in PubMed or comparable databases is included in this evaluation. Commercial websites, blogs, and marketing materials are excluded. All references include direct traceable links to source documents.
Last updated: 06 აპრ 2026, 12:09
Evidence Distribution
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWEfficient adsorption of Cu(II) from wastewater via modified biochars from residues of Chinese herbal medicines Pueraria lobata and Leonurus japonicus and direct… ↗Zhong Z et al.. Efficient adsorption of Cu(II) from wastewater via modified biochars from residues of Chinese herbal medicines Pueraria lobata and Leonurus japonicus and direct reuses for electrode materials.. J Environ Manage. 2026. PMID:41916243.PMID 41916243 ↗Journal J Environ ManageYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41916243/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWSolvent-Dependent Chemical Profiles and Biological Activities of Pueraria lobata Root Extracts. ↗Lee JH et al.. Solvent-Dependent Chemical Profiles and Biological Activities of Pueraria lobata Root Extracts.. Molecules. 2026. PMID:41900064.PMID 41900064 ↗Journal MoleculesYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41900064/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWBand gap energy shift as a biophysical marker of Puerarin's neuroprotective role in epilepsy-induced demyelination. ↗Bano S et al.. Band gap energy shift as a biophysical marker of Puerarin's neuroprotective role in epilepsy-induced demyelination.. J R Soc Interface. 2026. PMID:41875977.PMID 41875977 ↗Journal J R Soc InterfaceYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41875977/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWThe structural characteristics, physicochemical properties, rheological behavior and anti-obesity effects of polysaccharides from Pueraria lobata: In-depth study focusing on the gut microbiota-hepatic… ↗Niu H et al.. The structural characteristics, physicochemical properties, rheological behavior and anti-obesity effects of polysaccharides from Pueraria lobata: In-depth study focusing on the gut microbiota-hepatic FGF21 signaling.. Food Res Int. 2026. PMID:41819911.PMID 41819911 ↗Journal Food Res IntYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41819911/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWReCQC: A Novel NMR Data Analysis Platform Leveraging (13)C NMR and HSQC Database Strategies for Natural Product Dereplication. ↗Dong T et al.. ReCQC: A Novel NMR Data Analysis Platform Leveraging (13)C NMR and HSQC Database Strategies for Natural Product Dereplication.. Anal Chem. 2026. PMID:41805333.PMID 41805333 ↗Journal Anal ChemYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41805333/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWPuerarin Improves Glucose and Lipid Metabolism in Type 2 Diabetes by Regulating Gut Microbiota Homeostasis and Promoting Adipose Tissue Thermogenesis. ↗Cheng L et al.. Puerarin Improves Glucose and Lipid Metabolism in Type 2 Diabetes by Regulating Gut Microbiota Homeostasis and Promoting Adipose Tissue Thermogenesis.. Phytother Res. 2026. PMID:41696817.PMID 41696817 ↗Journal Phytother ResYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41696817/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWDe Novo Biosynthesis of Biochanin A in Saccharomyces cerevisiae via Integrated Metabolic and Organelle Engineering. ↗Tan X et al.. De Novo Biosynthesis of Biochanin A in Saccharomyces cerevisiae via Integrated Metabolic and Organelle Engineering.. J Agric Food Chem. 2026. PMID:41639015.PMID 41639015 ↗Journal J Agric Food ChemYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41639015/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWHerbal-derived puerarin-berberine cocrystal: Computational insights into mechanisms driving simultaneous enhanced solubility and bioavailability. ↗Li L et al.. Herbal-derived puerarin-berberine cocrystal: Computational insights into mechanisms driving simultaneous enhanced solubility and bioavailability.. Phytomedicine. 2026. PMID:41619558.PMID 41619558 ↗Journal PhytomedicineYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41619558/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWEngineered Biomimetic Nanorobots Orchestrate Targeted Nose-to-Brain Delivery to Resolve Neuron-Glia Entanglement against Parkinson's Disease. ↗Xu Y et al.. Engineered Biomimetic Nanorobots Orchestrate Targeted Nose-to-Brain Delivery to Resolve Neuron-Glia Entanglement against Parkinson's Disease.. Small. 2026. PMID:41607240.PMID 41607240 ↗Journal SmallYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41607240/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWPotassium-Solubilizing Bacteria Mediate Light-Potassium Synergy to Enable Native Pueraria lobata to Outcompete Invasive Mikania micrantha. ↗Ma Y et al.. Potassium-Solubilizing Bacteria Mediate Light-Potassium Synergy to Enable Native Pueraria lobata to Outcompete Invasive Mikania micrantha.. Microb Ecol. 2026. PMID:41575584.PMID 41575584 ↗Journal Microb EcolYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41575584/
Score Transparency
0 of 10 approved references (score saturates at 10). More peer-reviewed studies = stronger evidence base.
Method: Q = number of approved references ÷ 10 (capped at 1.0)
Limited — mostly case reports or animal studies
Method: L = mean study-level weight across approved references. Level 1 (meta-analysis / systematic review) = 1.0; Level 2 (RCT) = 0.8; Level 3 (cohort/case-control) = 0.6; Level 4 (case report) = 0.4; Level 5 (animal / in-vitro) = 0.2.
Mixed or neutral — roughly equal benefit and risk signals
Method: D = (sum of risk-scored references − sum of benefit-scored references) ÷ total evidence score, then scaled from [−1, 1] to [0, 1]. 0.0 = pure benefit; 0.5 = neutral; 1.0 = pure risk.
One or more monitoring-level safety signals active
Method: S = 0.5 (neutral baseline) + sum of active signal severity deltas ÷ 10. Severity deltas: Critical = +2.0, High = +1.5, Moderate = +1.0, Low = +0.5. Capped at 1.0.
Final GIRI Score for Kudzu. Risk level thresholds: Low 0–3.0 · Moderate 3.0–5.5 · High 5.5–7.5 · Critical 7.5–10.
Full methodology & data sources
The GIRI Score is computed entirely from structured data — no editorial scoring or subjective weighting is applied at any step.
- References: Only approved references are counted. Each reference is assigned an evidence level (L1–L5) and a direction (risk / neutral / benefit) by the reference manager or AI classifier.
- Safety Signals: Sourced from regulatory agencies (FDA, EMA, Health Canada, TGA, and others) and pharmacovigilance databases. Only active signals count toward the score.
- Formula version: GIRI Score v3.7.0 — Q × L × D × S × 10.
- Limitations: The score reflects published evidence and recorded signals as of the last update date. It is not a clinical risk assessment and should not replace advice from a qualified healthcare professional.
Risk Level Classification
Based on available regulatory signals and scientific evidence, this ingredient presents a moderate safety concern. Caution is advised, particularly at high doses or in sensitive populations.
0–3.0
3.0–5.5
5.5–7.5
7.5–10
The score pin shows exactly where this ingredient falls on the fixed risk scale.
What drove the Moderate classification for Kudzu
A score of 3.5 places this ingredient in the Moderate band. Thresholds: Low 0–3.0 · Moderate 3.0–5.5 · High 5.5–7.5 · Critical 7.5–10.
0 approved references.
Limited — mostly case reports or animal studies (Level 4–5).
Neutral or mixed — benefit and risk signals roughly balanced.
No active signals — S component is at neutral baseline (0.5), contributing no extra risk weight.
No major regulatory restrictions or advisories recorded across monitored jurisdictions (FDA, EMA, Health Canada, TGA, and others).
How are the Low / Moderate / High / Critical thresholds defined?
The four risk levels are fixed score bands. A score is assigned to exactly one level based on where it falls:
| Level | Score | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| LOW | 0.0 – 2.9 | Sparse or predominantly beneficial evidence. No active safety alerts. |
| MODERATE | 3.0 – 5.4 | Mixed signals — some risk alongside benefit. Caution at high doses or in sensitive groups. |
| HIGH | 5.5 – 7.4 | Multiple studies or regulatory alerts documenting adverse effects. Professional oversight recommended. |
| CRITICAL | 7.5 – 10 | Regulatory restrictions in one or more major jurisdictions. Serious documented harm. Avoid without specialist supervision. |
Thresholds are fixed constants (GIRI_Score_Utils::LEVEL_THRESHOLDS). They do not change per ingredient and are never subject to editorial adjustment.