==Health Benefits and uses of Hu Zhang are==
Japanese knotweed has been used as a spring vegetable for centuries in Asian cultures and is used for various agricultural and bee-keeping activities. The plant is so highly praised because of its high content of one particular chemical, resveratrol. Studies have shown that the roots of the plant contain a much higher level of resveratrol than the leaves and the stems.
*Hu zhang is used for conditions of the heart and blood vessels including “hardening of the arteries” (atherosclerosis), high cholesterol, and heart disease; and for digestion problems including constipation, liver disease (hepatitis), and gallstones. It is also used for cancer, skin burns, pain and swelling of the bone (osteomyelitis) and gout.
* One of the most well known and widely relied on benefits of Japanese knotweed is its apparent effect on cognitive disorders, like Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. This is primarily due to the resveratrol content of the herb, which is the same for most of the plant’s benefits. Resveratrol has shown a measurable preventative effect against neurodegenerative processes that can affect neural pathways (RS Turner et al., 2015).
*Women sometimes use hu zhang for painful menstrual periods and menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes.
* Invigorates the Blood, dispels Blood Stasis, unblocks the channels and stops pain
**Turbid vaginal discharge
**Turbid, painful urinary dysfunction
* Early research on resveratrol’s effect on the heart primarily centered on a reduction in fat, there have also been encouraging results regarding resveratrol’s ability to modulate blood pressure. By reducing strain and stress on the heart, lower blood pressure can significantly lower the risk of heart attacks and strokes by keeping the arteries and blood vessels dilated, preventing blood clots.
* If you are suffering from stomach issues, such as constipation, bloating, cramps, inflammation, or chronic pain, Japanese knotweed may be just what the alternative medical practitioner ordered! By adding resveratrol-rich herbs to your diet, you can significantly reduce gastrointestinal distress, and the herb also acts as a mild laxative, which can help clear out your system and get your digestive processes back to normal.
* Cancer Management : Any herb that has anti-cancer potential tends to get a lot of attention, and Japanese knotweed is no exception. A 2014 research conducted by Dr. Chandra K. Singh from the Department of Dermatology, University of Wisconsin, Madison suggested that resveratrol-containing foods like raspberries, mulberries, and Japanese knotweed have been shown to afford chemopreventive as well as therapeutic effects against certain cancers. In this study, the researchers tried to gain clarity on how resveratrol-based combinations can help in cancer management and the results, though not clear enough, look promising.
*Discharges toxins and disperses swelling : Toxic skin conditions, burns and carbuncles
*Drains Heat, transforms Phlegm and stops cough