Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica) is a shrub that grows very tall and I've seen it mostly in shady areas where I live on the south coast of Long Island.
It starts out inconspicuous often under fallen leaves and if left unchecked, soon becomes a thicket and a monoculture of tightly growing shrubs that form a hedgerow.
Once here, it often stays unless it is treated for many years with a brush killer. But wait a minute! In all living things, there's always the good, the bad, and the ugly. And Japanese Knotweed has many advantageous and beneficious aspects.
The roots of the plant are used to make beverages in Korea. Other culinary uses include the preparation of salads and soups.
rhizomes of Japanese Knotweed
Dried knotweed roots
The bees love the flowers and the rich nectar they provide for making honey. Honey from the plant is found to be high in potassium (1187 to 6196 mg/kg) and sodium (58.8 to 68.8 mg/kg). Total polyphenols and flavonoids are also present in high amounts. Its honey has characteristics parallel to buckwheat honey.
Japanese knotweed is also a very good source of Vitamin C, manganese, and zinc. The carotenoid content in the green leaves of the knotweed is 378mg/100g dry weight
And the hollow stalks are beneficial for drawing up pollutants and heavy metals from contaminated soils.
The plant is used to treat everything ranging from high lipid levels, infections, cancer, toothaches, ulcers, digestive problems, and hemorrhoids. Lipid-Lowering Effects: Animal studies reported that bioactive components, namely polydatin and emodin aid in lowering lipid levels and may also have liver-protective effects.
Extracts of Japanese knotweed leaves found to contain components such as epicatechin, quercetin, and rutin that exhibit antimicrobial properties. Epicatechin is studied to impede the growth of Gram-positive bacteria but presented much lesser antifungal activity.
It is most famously known for containing high amounts of resveratrol (specifically trans-resveratrol, which is the highest absorbable form.
In addition to resveratrol's health benefits (cardiovascular, cholesterol, anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic, etc.) it also has been shown in studies to be a potent antimicrobial. Studies have shown it to act against drug-resistant bacteria, influenza a, H1N1, EBV, Coxsakievirus virus, biofilms, etc. Many Lyme disease Literate Medical Doctors recommend Japanese Knotweed for their patients.*
Phytoestrogen Activity: Phytoestrogens are foods that produce similar effects of the hormone estrogen when ingested in the body. The resveratrol present in the plant acts as an antagonist to receptors of estrogen and inhibits estradiol. It also aids in muscle building by regulating estrogen levels.
It is high in oxalic acid and shouldn't be used by those suffering from gout.
Regardless of its invasiveness, the plant is finding its way in the field of health, nutrition, nutraceuticals, therapeutics, and cosmetics for its salubrious effects and is being shone a light by researchers for the same recently.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
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