Until the effects of kudzu can be quantified properly in a larger study, then, and a standardised product is available on the market with the THR mark, it’s not something we can recommend you take. Two hours before the first visit, we gave both sub-groups a pill – neither group knew whether they were getting the supplement or the placebo. When they visited the bar, beer, spirits and white wine were freely available. The amount of alcohol consumed was calculated for each group (1 unit per drink of beer or spirits, 1.6 units per glass of wine).
Discover content
It’s important to note that these studies used kudzu extract, which may have contained other parts of the kudzu plant besides the root. Thus, scientists need to do more research in this area on the effects of kudzu root specifically. Furthermore, the men who took kudzu had fewer heavy drinking days https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/alcoholism-statistics-you-need-to-know/ per week and had significantly more consecutive days with no alcohol consumption (2). In retrospect, my experience demonstrates the utility of kudzu for alcoholism. If I had been committed to using it to wean off of alcohol and then quit, it might have been a very valuable part of my recovery.
Daidzin decreases ethanol consumption in rats
This compound has a positive effect on the central nervous system and the brain. The number of participants who drank each available beer during the 1.5 hour drinking session following administration of placebo or kudzu. During the baseline session, the placebo-randomized group consumed 2.7 ± 0.78 beers before treatment and increased consumption to 3.4 ± 1.1 beers after treatment.
VITAMINS & SUPPLEMENTS CENTER
- No competing financial interest exists for Bethany K. Bracken, David M. Penetar, R. Ross Maclean, or Scott E. Lukas.
- In the second study, participants who were treated for 4 weeks with kudzu extract significantly reduced their alcohol consumption during weeks 2 through 4 of the study (Lukas et al., 2013).
- Also a researcher made a small clinical study of 14 men and women who were heavy drinkers.
- He worked for many years in mental health and substance abuse facilities in Florida, as well as in home health (medical and psychiatric), and took care of people with medical and addictions problems at The Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore.
A growing number of double-blind, peer-reviewed studies have confirmed the effectiveness of using kudzu for alcoholism. Early research focused on rats with good results, which were later replicated with human subjects. Overconsumption of alcohol has significant negative effects on an individual’s health and contributes to an enormous economic kudzu to stop drinking impact on society as a whole. Pharmacotherapies to curb excessive drinking are important for treating alcohol use disorders. But before Penetar and Lukas—a Professor of Psychiatry at HMS—could endorse kudzu, they needed to be sure that it did not simply make individuals experience the same level of intoxication with half as much alcohol.
A single dose of kudzu extract reduces alcohol consumption in a binge drinking paradigm
Several studies on kudzu have shown that the root helps to reduce alcohol or nicotine intake. This is because the three main isoflavones present in kudzu extracts – daidzin, daidzein and puerarin – are responsible for the beneficial effects of reducing alcohol and nicotine consumption 2. These results provide further evidence that kudzu root extract is likely to be safe for treatment for alcohol dependence.
- Finally, kudzu root extract did not affect sleep quantity as measured by the number of sleep episodes, the time asleep per episode, and the time spent immobile (Fig. 3).
- Kudzu, whose scientific name is Pueraria mirfica, is a vine used in Chinese medicine for a variety of health promoting purposes.
- Lukas was not certain why but speculated that kudzu increases blood alcohol levels and speeds up its effects.
- The kudzu root may interact with certain medications or pose other health risks for certain people.
- The plant is a trailing vine that often grows over other plants and trees.
However, if you want to cut down on drinking or detoxify your body during alcohol withdrawal, this plant may be able to help. Antabuse is not available OTC and requires a prescription from a doctor. People should consult with their doctor to determine if it is the right drug for their alcohol dependence. Never take a new medication or adjust existing prescriptions without the approval of a doctor who is aware of previous health issues and current prescriptions. Individuals who are dependent on alcohol often suffer from negative side effects such as physical dependence, anxiety, depression, confusion, organ damage, strained relationships and difficulty meeting major responsibilities. Making the decision to quit drinking can help alleviate these symptoms by improving mood and lessening the physical side effects.
It may ease menopause symptoms
This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Data sources include Micromedex (updated 7 Jul 2024), Cerner Multum™ (updated 14 Jul 2024), ASHP (updated 10 Jul 2024) and others. This copyrighted material is provided by Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Consumer Version. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence.
Alcohol. Clin. Exp. Res.
This information relates to an herbal, vitamin, mineral or other dietary supplement. This product has not been reviewed by the FDA to determine whether it is safe or effective and is not subject to the quality standards and safety information collection standards that are applicable to most prescription drugs. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to take this product. This information does not endorse this product as safe, effective, or approved for treating any patient or health condition. This is only a brief summary of general information about this product.