Northern suburban gardeners spend hundred of dollars, countless hours and more than a few pounds of sweat fighting to keep weeds out of their lawns and vegetable plots. In the southeastern U.S. farmers and local suburbanites alike, look at the plight of those northern horticulturalists with an envious eye, wishing these inconveniences were all they needed to contend with during their long and plentiful growing seasons. Ask any one below the Mason Dixon Line about Kudzu (kud-zoo) and they would happily pay you to get rid of it. Kudzu grows wild and plentiful throughout the southeast. Kudzu is an aggressive vine that is native to China and Japan, where they evidently do not have a problem with the spunky vine. Introduced to the United States in 1876 at the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to celebrate the 100th birthday of the U.S. Kudzu was one of the beautiful plants in the Japanese garden that captured the hearts of American gardeners. In the 1920s a Florida nursery operator discovered that livestock could eat and flourish from the plant and began selling it. It was in the 1930s and 40s that Kudzu got its biggest boost, when the Soil Conservation Service promoted Kudzu for soil erosion control. Farmers were given cash incentives to plant large fields of Kudzu; thus Kudzu found itself a home.
For over seventy years Kudzu has reigned supreme in the southern states spreading itself over thousands of acres, killing any plant that stands in its way. Kudzu is related to the black-eyed pea, its roots can weigh up to four hundred pounds and during its growing season the vine can grow a foot over night, rightfully earning its nickname "the drop and run vine". Once it takes hold this plant grows roots quickly and deeply, and sends shooters in every direction which in turn becomes more individual plants almost over night. Kudzu sports a big ego during it's growing season which is May through November. Kudzu covers trees, barns, utility poles, utility lines and anything else that stand still long enough to be overtaken.
We at Topical Solutions/Kudzu Essentials realized this fast growing plant required our attention. For centuries in the Far East Kudzu has been used medicinally and for cooking purposes. Yet here in the U.S. we can only view Kudzu as a major nuisance.
Because it is true that "one person's trash is truly someone else's treasure," here at Topical Solutions, at our Aromatherapy company in Bloomfield, NJ we are turning the unwanted Kudzu into Body Care Products that are in big demand. Would you believe we have created Kudzu Skin Repair Moisturizing Cream, Kudzu Vine Soap, Lip Balm, Body Butter, Hair Butter, Hair Growth Serum, and Shampoo.
Our Kudzu Cream came from an old family recipe, about five years ago my mother told me about a cream her father would make. She was not sure of all the ingredients but she was sure that the most important one was Kudzu. He would infuse Kudzu and other herbs into beef or pork fat, producing a healing balm that was used as a moisturizer, and also for healing all types of skin conditions; such as scars, burns, insect bites, rashes and sores. Instead of pork or beef fat we opted for rich vegetable oils, butters and botanicals. After several months we had produced a product so amazing that it even surprised us!
In late spring we pick, wash and freeze enough Kudzu to last for one entire year. Only the young tender Kudzu leaves are chosen for all of our products, we feel they produce a greener, richer and more potent product . Kudzu is then shipped overnight from our hometown of Fayette, Alabama, upon delivery, the Kudzu is washed, dried and frozen until it is turned into what we call green gold. The entire process is done by hand.
Now after reading this...maybe you too should KUDZU!
For more amazing Kudzu photographs see jjanthony
