Do you want to enjoy the anti-anxiety effects of Xanax – but without the Xanax? A new Xanax pudding recipe is trending across the internet this week. Despite the name, no real Xanax is required.
The pudding first appeared online on SheKnows.com, which cited a recipe made by nutrition educator and executive chef Tricia Williams.
Chef Williams makes a type of anti-anxiety pudding using an ingredient called kudzu root – not Xanax.
What is Kudzu Root?
Kudzu root is a type of vine native to most of eastern Asia, Southeast Asia, and some Pacific islands. It has been used in traditional Eastern medicine and culture for over 2,000 years. The root is rumored to have several powerful health benefits. Primary benefits include a calming effect on the body, better blood sugar stability, and other effects.
WebMD.com also reports that kudzu is commonly used to treat alcoholism or to reduce the symptoms of an alcohol-induced hangover. Many people report that it relieves an upset stomach, dizziness, and vomiting.
Chef Williams claims she gives kudzu root pudding to her 11 year old son before bed. Her son has dyslexia and anxiety, and Chef Williams claims that the pudding helps to calm his mind.
Others use kudzu root to treat high blood pressure, chest pain, or an irregular heartbeat. Despite this multitude of uses for kudzu root, WebMD.com reports that there is “insufficient evidence” to support the use of kudzu root for treating any of the above conditions.
Kudzu root is known by dozens of different names, including Ge Gen, Indian Kudzu, Isoflavone, Japanese Arrowroot, Kudzu Vine, Bidarikand, Daidzein, and Mealy Kudzu.
How Does Kudzu Root Work?
Kudzu root works in a similar way to arrowroot or cornstarch. In fact, the best way to make kudzu root recipes is to substitute kudzu root for either of these two ingredients using the same measurements.
One of the drawbacks of kudzu root is that it’s hard to find. When you do find it, it’s often sold in chunks – not in a powder. You typically will need to make a slurry with warm water before using kudzu root.
Reputable scientific studies on kudzu root are rare. However, WebMD.com explains that no side effects have been reported in any clinical studies involving kudzu root taken orally. Nevertheless, one study reported an allergic reaction when combining kudzu root with an herbal health product.
Interestingly, kudzu root was once a hated plant in the United States: the vine was introduced in the 1800s and spread rapidly across the South. In the right conditions, the vine grows rapidly. Although the vine was first introduced to prevent soil erosion, it soon overtook farms and buildings across the southeastern United States. Some people called kudzu “the vine that ate the South.”
Nevertheless, to this day, kudzu is used as a grazing crop and a form of erosion control on farmland in the United States and around the world.
How to Buy Kudzu Root
Kudzu root isn’t commonly found in average grocery stores. However, certain grocery stores with Asian food sections will sell kudzu root. You can also find it in a growing number of health food markets.
The most popular brand of kudzu root is made by a company named Eden.
How Much Kudzu Root Do You Need?
Kudzu root is a potent ingredient. Chef Williams claims that half a tablespoon is a “potent amount for most adults.” You can actually just swallow a chunk of kudzu root “like aspirin” if you don’t want to make the pudding.
Despite its powerful effects, kudzu root is not an ideal solution for those with high levels of anxiety. It’s not as strong as prescription medication, obviously, and cannot be used as a replacement for drugs recommended by your doctor.
Overall, kudzu can be used as a treatment for those with occasional or mild anxiety.
So how exactly do you make this kudzu root pudding? You’ll find the recipe below.
Kudzu Root Pudding “Xanax Pudding” Recipe
This recipe comes courtesy of Tricia Williams, executive chef and founder of Food Matters NYC. Chef Williams originally shared the recipe with SheKnows.com.
Makes: 6 servings
Ingredients:
-1/3 cup water
-2 ½ tablespoons kudzu powder
-1 ¾ cups coconut milk
-1/4 cup maple syrup
-1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
-1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
-1/4 vanilla bean
-Pinch of sea salt
Directions:
Step 1) Place the water and kudzu powder in a saucepan, then whisk until the powder is dissolved. Add the coconut milk, ginger, maple syrup, cinnamon, vanilla bean scrapings, and sea sal.t
Step 2) Heat the saucepan on medium, whisking often. When the mixture comes to a slow boil, remove it from the heat and let it simmer for 5 minutes. Then, pour it into your desired serving cups. Let it chill in the fridge for two hours before serving.
That’s it! It’s not as powerful as mashing up a bunch of Xanax and tossing it into a pudding. However, it’s a good (legal, non-prescription) alternative to Xanax pudding.
