Although there are numerous treatment strategics for metabolic syndrome, its management with orthodox medicines remains grossly unsatisfactory. As a result, patients have turned to complimentary and alternative medicine (CAM) as another course of action. Traditional Chinese medicine is an excellent example of CAM and is defined as a more holistic approach in investigating the function and dysfunction of living organisms.

Gegen(Radix Puerariae Lobatae) the dried root of Pueraria lobata (wild) Ohwi and has traditionally been used in TCM for treating CVDS and T2DM. It is native to South East Asia and has been utilized as a food source, fodder and medicine for thousands of years. Since the isolation of the first major isoflavone: puerarin from Gegen in the late 1950s, research has concerntrated on isolating different chemicals from various parts of kudzu and investigated their biological actions in vitro and in vivo. Currently, puerarin injection is extensively used in China. Also, Gegen powder and extract are sold in the United States, United Kingdom and Australia as a supplement. Kudzu is often used as the single ingredient or in combination with other herbs (e.g. Salvia miltiorrhiza, Bacopa monnieri, Ginkgo biloba, Silybum marianum and Salix alba) for relieving hangover, fever and flu, improving liver function, enhancing detoxification processes, regulating cardiac functions and aiding weight loss.

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