葛根 (gégēn) · kudzu root, Pueraria lobata root

Meanings

1 kudzu root
2 Pueraria lobata root

About the ingredient

蔬菜 Vegetables

A large, starchy root. Fresh chunks are simmered for hours with pork bones and red beans in Cantonese soups; dried pieces are sold as a Chinese herbal medicine, and the starch is sold as kudzu powder.

Characters

Examples

HSK 5

中医常用葛根来治疗发烧。

Zhōngyī chángyòng gégēn lái zhìliáo fāshāo.

Traditional Chinese medicine often uses kudzu root to treat fever.

HSK 6

葛根可以解酒。

Gégēn kěyǐ jiějiǔ.

Kudzu root can help relieve a hangover.

Tips

culture

葛根 has been a staple of traditional Chinese medicine for over 2,000 years - it is the headliner ingredient in 葛根汤, a classical formula recorded in Zhang Zhongjing's 《伤寒论》 (c. 200 CE) for stiff necks and early-stage colds. You'll find 葛根 powder, tea, and noodles all over Chinese health-food shops.