From improving heart health and regulating blood sugar levels to reducing inflammation and menopausal symptoms, kudzu may be a useful addition to a healthy lifestyle. However, kudzu extract for alcoholism more research is needed to fully understand the effects of kudzu on the body. Kudzu is a plant that has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries.
Development and initial validation of a measure of drinking urges in abstinent alcoholics
- According to traditional Chinese medicine, this plant has cooling properties that balance the heat and false energy created by alcohol.
- This is precisely what was observed in the present study as kudzu’s effects were evident after a single dose within a few hours of administration.
- AlcoholAwareness.org provides a platform where you can access various free resources, including articles, self-assessment tools, and information about local support groups and treatment centers.
- No side effects have been reported in clinical studies when kudzu is taken by mouth.
However, it does not make people feel more drunk, or affect their physical abilities or mental agility. It is, therefore, thought not to make alcohol more dangerous – merely slow down our rate of drinking. The number of participants who drank each available beer during the 1.5 hour drinking session following administration of placebo or kudzu. There is some evidence that kudzu root dietary supplements may cause liver injury.
Kudzu Treatment not Effective as Remedy for Alcoholism
It is important to consult with a healthcare professional before taking kudzu, especially if you are taking other medications or have underlying health conditions. Kudzu is also known for its flower, which is used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat fever, headache, and other ailments. The arrowroot starch derived from the Kudzu plant is also used in cooking as a thickener. The plant contains phytoestrogens, which are compounds that mimic the effects of estrogen in the body. This time, the groups were given the opposite pill from the one they’d previously taken (meaning that they acted as their own control for the experiment).
Side Effects and Risks
Moreover, kudzu might assist with the prevention of relapses by supporting the stabilization of neurotransmitter levels in the brain. However, it is essential to remember that kudzu alone is not a panacea for alcoholism. Kudzu may help by reducing the urge to consume alcohol, making it easier to control cravings. This reduction in alcohol consumption can be particularly beneficial during the early stages of recovery when cravings are intense. The information we provide while responding to comments is not intended to provide and does not constitute medical, legal, or other professional advice.
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- Kudzu may help by reducing the urge to consume alcohol, making it easier to control cravings.
- Various herbs and combinations of herbs are reported to be effective in reducing cravings, but in general, no studies have been conducted to prove their effectiveness.
- Some birth control pills include ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel (Triphasil), ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone (Ortho-Novum 1/35, Ortho-Novum 7/7/7), and others.
- Unfortunately the authors did not report the concentrations of the active isoflavones in their kudzu extract.
- However, there are a lot of supplements that claim to contain it that are mostly cheap fillers.
- 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.
Young stems are hairy, and the leaves are trifoliate and also hairy (Fig. 13-10A). It produces pretty reddish purple pea-like flowers that lead to the production of dark brown hairy pods. In a study comparing cytisine to nicotine replacement, 40% quit on cytisine compared to 31% on nicotine replacement.
- Compounds called isoflavones are thought to be responsible for its potential effects.
- As a result, the researchers gave compounds from Kudzu root to the special lab rats.
- This invasive weed is native to East Asia, particularly China, Japan, and Korea, where it has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine.
- 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.
- “It’s a vine,” says Tracy Lockwood Beckerman, registered dietitian and in-house nutrition expert at Betches Media.
Kudzu (Pueraria lobata)
Kudzu Root: Benefits, Uses, and Side Effects
