You may be wondering how people use kudzu root and what to know when considering whether to give it a try. This product may adversely interact with certain health and medical conditions, other prescription and over-the-counter drugs, foods, or other dietary supplements. This product may be unsafe when used before surgery or other medical procedures. It is important to fully inform your doctor about the herbal, vitamins, mineral or any other supplements you are taking before any kind of surgery or medical procedure.
- Participants were randomized on a blind basis to receive either 4 capsules of the extract (for a total of 520 mg isoflavones) or placebo (sugar beet filler) 2.5 hours before the start of an afternoon drinking session.
- But today you can find it in the supplement aisle of most grocery stores.
- Kudzu is one of the earliest medicinal plants used in traditional Chinese medicine.
- Kudzu is an herb used in Chinese medicine to treat alcoholism, heart disease, menopausal symptoms, diabetes, fever, the common cold, and neck or eye pain.
- The CPT II was administered on a separate laptop computer in the experimental chamber at 45 and 60 minutes after alcohol administration; after 1 hour, CPT II was administered every 30 minutes until the end of the session at 3 hours.
Might help treat alcoholism
A comprehensive approach that includes medical supervision, counseling, and support is essential for addressing alcoholism effectively. Before embarking on a journey with kudzu as a potential remedy for alcoholism, it is crucial to consult with a healthcare professional. The absence of standardized dosages and recommended administration methods for kudzu necessitates expert guidance. Your healthcare provider can help determine the most suitable approach based on your unique circumstances. Kudzu can be taken in conjunction with other medications for alcoholism, but it is important to consult with a healthcare professional before combining treatments. Kudzu may interact with certain medications, such as benzodiazepines, and can cause adverse effects.
- Small studies in people have observed noteworthy improvements in these menopausal symptoms, among others, like vaginal dryness (9, 10).
- The Chinese noticed that people who consumed the plant started to drink less.
- In another small study, a single dose of kudzu extract reduced alcohol consumption (25).
- Anecdotal sources also note that kudzu root may lower blood sugar too much or slow down blood clotting.
- In some instances, even a single dose of kudzu extract reduced alcohol consumption and prevented binge drinking (4, 5).
- The participants reported their desire for and consumption of alcohol for the duration of the study.
Side effects of kudzu root
- The volunteers were all friends, and so were likely to enjoy a relaxed evening’s drinking.
- Pharmacokinetic results were obtained using PK Solutions 2.0 (Summit Research Services, Montrose, CO; ).
- The drinks were administered between 2 and 2.5 hours after consumption of the morning dose of medication as blood levels of puerarin peak at this time (Penetar et al., 2006).
- These pathways may be sensitive not only to alcohol directly, but also to acetaldehyde levels also (Melis et al., 2009; Sanchez-Catalan et al., 2009).
- Subjective and psychomotor effects observed after alcohol consumption are typically attributed to be the direct effects of alcohol on the CNS.
Another study shows that kudzu flower might be helpful to lessen hot flashes in menopausal women. You can find kudzu root for purchase in many supplement stores or online. Stores typically sell it as a powdered drink mix, an oral capsule or tablet, liquid drops, kudzu to stop drinking or as a food-grade starch to use in cooking. You can find kudzu root supplements easily online and in a variety of natural food or supplement stores. Scientists need to do more research on the safe and effective dosages of kudzu root for various uses.
2 Materials and Medication
Kudzu is a natural remedy that has been used for centuries in Traditional Chinese Medicine to treat alcoholism. While it may not be as effective as some prescription medications, it can still be a helpful addition to a comprehensive treatment plan for alcoholism. However, some people may experience mild side effects such as nausea, dizziness, and headache. It is important to consult with a healthcare professional before taking kudzu, especially if you are taking other medications or have underlying health conditions. A small 2009 case report involving 16 people with regular cluster headaches provides some anecdotal evidence.
Other potential health benefits
Seventeen men (21–33 years) who reported drinking 27.6 ± 6.5 drinks/week with a diagnosis of alcohol abuse/dependence took either kudzu extract (250 mg isoflavones, t.i.d.) or matched placebo on a daily basis. They reported alcohol consumption and desire to use alcohol using a wrist actigraphy device; twice weekly laboratory visits were scheduled to monitor medication adherence and adverse events. The present study demonstrated that pretreatment with kudzu extract had little or no effect on the majority of alcohol’s effects on subjective mood, vital https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/is-it-possible-to-get-sober-without-aa/ signs, psychomotor, or cognitive performance. These findings suggest that the ability of kudzu extract to reduce alcohol consumption (Lukas et al., 2005) is not likely to be dependent on a significant alteration of the acute effects of alcohol. Kudzu, scientifically known as Pueraria lobata, is renowned in traditional Chinese medicine for its diverse applications, including the treatment of alcohol dependence. While scientific research on kudzu’s effectiveness in addressing alcoholism is limited, some studies have shown promising results.
Related treatment guides
In moderate drinkers, it was shown to not disturb sleep wake/cycles, as can occur during withdrawal or with other medications that treat dependence (20). In another small study, a single dose of kudzu extract reduced alcohol consumption (25). Regardless of the mechanism of action, the present finding that a modest, single dose of kudzu extract reduces binge drinking has profound implications as it offers a unique opportunity for early intervention for problem drinkers. As an herbal plant extract, kudzu can be made available without a prescription. While it does not completely eliminate drinking, it is clearly effective in significantly reducing intake, which offers individuals an opportunity to engage in more responsible drinking patterns. As a safe, over-the-counter preparation, kudzu may be used alone in initial attempts to curb alcohol consumption, but it may also become a useful adjunct to the currently available prescription medications.
- A recent systematic review of P. mirifica regarding efficacy for menopausal symptoms is inconclusive (27).
- Since consuming alcohol while taking kudzu extract is not aversive, another explanation is necessary to account for the extremely fast onset of action observed in the present study.
- It appears to act by inhibiting aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH-2).59 A deficiency of this enzyme reduces the risk of alcohol dependence.
Kudzu Root: Benefits, Uses, and Side Effects
Acute alcohol administration resulted in expected, dose-related alterations in subjective, psychomotor, cognitive, and physiological effects. These effects typically were greater after the higher dose, and the time course follows the known effects of alcohol (Brasser et al., 2004; Holdstock et al., 2000). Subjective measures of alcohol intoxication were greatest at 30 minutes and returned to or were close to predrinking levels by the end of the assessment period (3 hours). Psychomotor (stance stability/body sway) and cognitive function were most affected at 60 minutes, and they too returned to or were close to baseline by 3 hours.
