polygonum cuspidatum

japanese knotweed

japanese knotweed

One of the world’s most invasive plants. Billions of dollars are spent trying to get rid of it, yet it could feed millions as a food source AND is a major source of resveratrol, a powerful anti-aging and anti-cancer agent. There is no excuse for starvation if this plant is around. It grows three feet a month, sends roots down ten feet, even through concrete, and as far as 60 feet out. Best parts are young shoots and unopened leaves, but whole plant is edible raw, steamed or cooked, even roots. Has tangy lemony taste from oxalic acid. Grows like bamboo and has hollow, bamboo-like stems. Young leaves are reddish-purple. Small green-white-pink 5-petal flowers. Very high in vitamin C. Antiinfection, anti-fungal, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, tumor reduction, lowers cholesterol, elevates cyclic AMP, balances estrogen, mood swings, hit flashes, great for herpes, shingles, white blood cells, longevity, jaundice, liver, hepatitis, urinary tract, appendicitis, gallstones, yeast infection, rheumatoid arthritis, menopause, bacteria killer, anti-tumor, artherosclerosis, Alzheimers, Parkinsons, memory, nervous system, adrenals, asthma, lung, bronchitis, mucus. Transresveratrol even more bio-available than grape juice or red wine!