Kudzu Root Crown Access

For the forager and the herbalist, however, the root crown represents something different: potential. It is the gateway to the starchy root, a source of food and medicine that has been valued for centuries in East Asia, kudzu’s native range. The crown is the handle by which one pulls the long, tapioca-rich roots from the earth. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ge Gen (kudzu root) is prized for its cooling properties and its ability to treat ailments from fevers to alcoholism. The crown, therefore, is the junction between an invasive nuisance and a valuable resource.

A single mature crown can send out as many as 30 separate vines. Importantly, kudzu cannot regrow from the taproot alone; if the crown is removed, the remaining deep roots will eventually rot in the ground without sprouting. How to Identify and Locate Crowns kudzu root crown

They range from the size of a pea in young plants to the size of a basketball in mature infestations. For the forager and the herbalist, however, the

Using a handsaw or sharp pruners, cut the root just below the crown . In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ge Gen (kudzu root)

Follow a vine to where it enters the ground. Dig slightly around that spot, and you’ll find the crown with buds or new sprouts emerging. How to Kill Kudzu Permanently (The Crown Method)