15 Japanese Knotweed Benefits and Uses

Japanese Knotweed benefits are numerous. The herb contains a wide spectrum of chemical compounds which have plenty of health benefits. These substances provide potent antioxidant protection, as well as cardiovascular, nervous system, and liver function support.

Knotweed is known as a rich source of the antioxidant Resveratrol which helps protects the body against cellular damage which puts it at higher risk of developing certain diseases such as cancer and heart disease. The plant It is also used as a laxative against constipation and irregular bowel movements, as well as in alternatives treatment against bronchitis, cough, gum disease (gingivitis), and sores of the mouth and throat. Japanese Knotweed is sometimes used as an alternative to treat lung diseases, skin disorders, excessive sweating associated with tuberculosis , and fluid retention.

In this article, you will learn more than 15 uses and health benefits of Japanese knotweed. But before we go to the list of the health benefits, what is knotweed?

Knotweed is an herb commonly known as Asian knotweed or Japanese knotweed. It is native to Eastern Japan, China and Korea. In the United States, it is considered as an invasive species, one of the worst invasive species in the world. The reason is because Knotweed grows rapidly and displaces native species quickly with its large size. It is difficult to eradicate it due to the way it is able to propagate through its root system.

Luckily the plant has plenty of curative properties which makes it very desirable to harvest.

Here are the top 15 Japanese Knotweed Benefits and Uses:

1. Improves Cognitive Functions

Knotweed has therapeutic effects on the cognitive disorders such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. It provides preventative effects on the neurodegenerative process which affects the neural pathways. Antioxidants eliminates free radicals and plaque which affects the mental function.

2. Helps Prevents Heart Disease

Knotweed contains resveratrol which helps to deal with many heart problems. This powerful compound has many health benefits on the cardiovascular system such as protecting the heart and circulatory system, and protecting against clots which can cause deadly heart attacks or stroke.

Red wine is drunk in large amounts in France due to which heart conditions are not common there. Just a few uses will not provide all these benefits; you need to add Japanese Knotweed to your diet to get the heart protective properties.

3. Decreases High Blood Pressure

It reduces the heart strain, stress and blood pressure which lowers the chances of strokes and heart attacks by dilating the blood vessels and arteries hindering blood clots.

4. Promotes Gastrointestinal Health

Knotweed helps treat stomach problems such as bloating, constipation, abnormal inflammation, intestinal infections, chronic pain and cramps, and possibly other gastrointestinal disorders.

5. Prevents Cancer

Japanese Knotweed has many anti-cancer properties which have been found to be beneficial against formation or development of carcinogens which may lead to cancer development and complications of many types of cancers such as colon, prostate, thyroid and breast cancers.

Research is still ongoing but the early results are satisfactory which encourages the use of the plant in order to prevent health.

6. Helps Prevents or Control Diabetes

In addition to contributing to cardiovascular health for diabetics, Japanese knotweed also have direct positive effects on insulin absorption in the body. Among others, Resveratrol helps prevent insulin resistance and abnormal blood sugar levels.

If you suffer from blood sugar related issues, knotweed can be very helpful.

7. Promotes Healthy Liver Functions

The liver is one of the largest and most important organs in the body which plays many important metabolic functions, regulates most chemical levels in the blood and excretes a bile, which helps with digestion and carry away waste products from the liver. knotweed can help your liver perform these functions even better.

There are some people in Asia who uses knotweed as a recipe. They even created knotweed beer to drink as a medicinal beverage to keep their liver healthy. Regular consumption promotes a healthy liver functions and overall rejuvenation as you do not have to drink an actual beer to actually drink one!

8. Supports the immune system

Considering that everyone is almost continually exposed to a variety of health threats, having a healthy and strong immune system function is ideal to stay healthy.

9. Eases Lyme’s Disease

Very few compounds seem to help with Lyme disease but knotweed seems to ease the symptoms of the disease.

Japanese Knotweed modulates and enhances the immune function, which helps the body to fight bacterial inflammations, endotoxin damage, cancer development, and many other medication conditions.

10. It Is Anti-Aging

Very few people age healthily and happily. Some take drugs or undergoing advanced surgical procedures which leads to more cosmetic damages. But what if there is a natural way you can do that? Japanese Knotweed is great source of resveratrol, a powerful therapeutic option against aging. Among the many knotweed benefits, anti-aging is in the top 10.

Resveratrol is well-known for its anti-aging properties and its use for this purpose is common. As an antioxidant, resveratrol fights harmful free radical damage and can be incredibly beneficial when applied topically.

11. Facilitates Weight Loss

Obesity or being overweight is serious health problem considering it is associated with medical conditions such as poor mental health, certain cancers, increased risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and other chronic conditions.

Knotweed has been shown to have weight loss effects similar to following a calorie-restricted diet, thus helping people to lose weight safely. Health experts note that calorie restriction is important to losing and maintaining a healthy body weight.

12. Reduce acne and improve skin health

Free radicals are unstable atoms that can damage cells, which can cause or trigger diseases, premature aging, and systemic imbalances which can cause skin problems such as acne, eczema, rosacea, eczema & other skin problems.

Japanese Knotweed can help reduce the effects of these free radicals and improve your body’s ability to heal itself. In addition, it has resveratrol which helps systemically solve many types of skin problems and makes you look younger.

13. Healer of respiratory infections

Although there is not enough study to understand how it works, Japanese Knotweed has been used by the indigenous peoples to treat many forms of respiratory infections. They use it to alleviate symptoms of many ailments, including respiratory infections, lung diseases, and other infections.

14. Improved absorption of Vitamins A, D, E, K and B12
    

The absorption of lipid-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) by the body requires actions of bile acids. That is, secretion of bile during digestion is essential for the body to absorb these vitamins. If bile production is compromised by liver damage, the proper absorption of these vitamins may be affected.

Knotweed increases bile secretion and facilitate liver functions. It is, therefore, ideal to help your body absorbs fat-soluble vitamins and B12.

15. Some Additional Japanese Knotweed Benefits include:

• Potentially increase testosterone
• Improve estrogen metabolism and may reduce the risk of breast cancer
• Reduce reactions to hay fever
• Reduce inflammation
• Have a positive effect on blood fats
• Shows potential in combating viruses and bacteria
• Used for the treatment of oral ailments, like sore throats, gingivitis and even plaque build-up on teeth.
• Commonly used for respiratory issues, such as lung disease, bronchitis and persistent coughs, as well as certain skin disorders.

Knotweed Side effects are rare with low potential for toxicity. But the plant is associated with limited contraindications. It is not recommended during pregnancy or lactation. If you have a medical condition such anemia or take pharmaceutical drugs please consult your doctor prior to use Japanese knotweed.

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