Vidari kanda
Pueraria tuberosa · विदारीकन्द
Herbs & Roots. Ayurveda.
Also called Indian kudzu, Vidarikand
Sanskrit: विदारीकन्द (Vidarikanda)
Plant estrogens; limited human dataVidari kanda is a large Indian tuber used in Ayurveda for strength and milk supply, and it is a close relative of kudzu.
Did you know? Its tubers can grow large underground, and the plant belongs to the same genus as kudzu, the vine that covers parts of the American South.
What it may help, and how strong the proof is
- Women's health. Used in Ayurveda to support milk supply. Most evidence comes from animal and lab studies, and human trials are few.Traditional proof
- Sexual health. Traditional sexual vitality tonic. Little human research is available.Traditional proof
Parts of the body
Traditional use
Ayurveda uses vidari as a strength tonic, a rejuvenative, and a support for milk supply after childbirth.
How it is classified
- Herbal actions
- Galactagogue, Tonic, Aphrodisiac. Energy: cooling.
- Ayurveda
- Calms Vata and Pitta. Taste (rasa): sweet, bitter. Energy (virya): cooling. After digestion (vipaka): sweet. Vrishya (aphrodisiac), Balya (strength), Stanyajanana (milk-producing).
How people take it
Traditional doses are about 3 to 6 grams of root powder a day, often taken with milk. There are no good modern dose studies.
Powder and capsule.
Where to get it
A climbing vine with large tubers, native to India and nearby regions. Sold as root powder, capsules and tablets, and it is often confused with kudzu or other roots in the market.
Be careful
Little safety research exists. The root contains plant estrogens, so it may act like a weak estrogen. Avoid it in pregnancy, breastfeeding and hormone-sensitive cancers unless a doctor agrees.
Avoid if: pregnancy; breastfeeding; hormone-sensitive cancer.
Mixing with other things
- Works well together
Both are used in Ayurvedic women's and milk-support blends.
- Works well together
Often combined in Ayurvedic rejuvenative blends.
- Use cautionBirth control (the pill and other hormonal birth control)
Plant estrogens may interfere with hormonal birth control.
The honest take
Vidari kanda's milk and strength claims come from tradition. Animal and lab studies are the main evidence, and human trials are very few. Its plant estrogens are a real reason to be careful, and it is not the same herb as kudzu.