The present study provides further evidence that extracts of the kudzu root are effective in reducing alcohol consumption but unlike any other medication (other than disulfiram) it does so after a single dose was taken shortly before a binge drinking opportunity. And, contrary to disulfiram treatment, the drinking that did occur after kudzu administration did not result in any noxious side effects, increases in subjective ratings of nausea, uncomfortable, or feeling terrible. The reduction in drinking was evident rather quickly as it was apparent for the second through sixth beers and no kudzu-treated participant drank five or six beers, which suggests that binge drinking was curtailed. One limitation of this study is the lack of a dose-response assessment.
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However, these authors noted that there was a large dropout rate, subjects were not supervised while they completed the questionnaires, and there was only a single assessment each month. All of the above factors may have contributed to the negative findings of this study. According to some studies, kudzu root may help manage some symptoms of metabolic syndrome. Kudzu root is an edible part of a climbing vine that’s native to many Asian countries.
Health Benefits of Kudzu—Including Whether It Can Really Help Treat a Hangover
In my opinion, the Planetary Herbals brand is a great option for someone who has not yet quit drinking, and who wants to try pure kudzu powder on its own. As expected, I didn’t really feel anything after taking it until I began drinking. I recall feeling a very slight prickly feeling in my skin after I’d had a few drinks, and a mild head rush.
- Participants were instructed to always keep the beer glass on the table except when taking a sip.
- Kudzu has been shown to be effective in reducing alcohol cravings and consumption in the short term.
- Even a tiny amount of alcohol can cause violent illness while on these drugs.
- Now kudzu’s popularity is also picking up in the Western world as a wellness supplement.
- And while it did contain the isoflavones that are thought to be the active ingredients, our volunteers had to take five pills each to achieve the desired level of 500mg.
Kudzu Recovery
One such resource is AlcoholAwareness.org, which offers a wealth of information, support, and guidance for individuals and their families dealing with alcoholism. Your doctor can evaluate your medical history, current health, and the severity of your alcoholism to provide personalized recommendations. They will consider potential interactions between kudzu and any medications you might be taking, ensuring your safety throughout the process. Inspired by a traditional Chinese formula that’s over 350 years old, Kudzu Recovery combines the best of the kudzu plant with other botanicals like coptis, codonopsis, and ginger.
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This is day 3 and I have zero desire to drink, sleep well, have no side effects and had 2 glasses of wine at dinner with friends, but didn’t want more. Full Spectrum™ Kudzu provides the whole roots with a extract standardized to isoflavone content to deliver a Full Spectrum™ of kudzu’s constituents and benefits. Additionally, Kudzu Recovery™ contains kudzu recovery a centuries old Chinese formula offering all the benefits of kudzu plus key botanicals to support liver cleansing, balanced blood sugar levels and enhanced energy. When alcohol is consumed, kudzu may reduce the time it takes for it to travel to the brain.
- 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.
- These data add to the mounting clinical evidence that kudzu extract may be a safe and effective adjunctive pharmacotherapy for alcohol abuse and dependence.
- Kudzu root has also shown to help regulate glucose, AKA sugar, in the blood, Beckerman says.
- Inflammation is not something to be take lightly as it can contribute to more serious issues like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and even cancer.
- We previously demonstrated that short-term treatment with a standardized kudzu extract (NPI-031) reduced alcohol drinking by men and women in a natural setting.
What’s more, the kudzu plant leaves, vine tips, and purple flower blossoms are also edible. The kudzu plant resembles poison ivy, so it’s important to know how to identify it correctly. The plant is a trailing vine that often grows over other plants and trees. The opinions expressed in WebMD User-generated content areas like communities, reviews, ratings, or blogs are solely those of the User, who may or may not have medical or scientific training.
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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. In terms of what I felt when I took this plant, my experience supports the observations of others who note that it might act like a much gentler form of disulfiram or Antabuse. These drugs are often prescribed to alcoholics to keep them abstinent.
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Reach out to healthcare providers, counselors, and support groups to develop a comprehensive treatment plan tailored to your needs. Remember that every individual’s journey to recovery is unique, and what works for one person may not work for another. For those seeking help with alcohol addiction, valuable resources are available online.
6 Alcohol Consumption—Follow-up Phase
Because prescription medications are not universally used or have a perceived modest effect (Krystal et al., 2001; Mark et al., 2003), providing heavy drinkers with any type of intervention that yields even a modest reduction in drinking is desirable. Furthermore, there is a need to develop efficacious medicines from natural products that have a low incidence of side effects or toxicity (Xu et al., 2005). The ultimate role that natural preparations play will be complementary and might be useful in treating drug withdrawal and possibly relapse (Lu et al., 2009). Another study found that kudzu may really “affect alcohol consumption patterns.” In this same study, people who took an isoflavone extract from the kudzu plant before drinking took longer to reach for the liquor cabinet. In fact, even a single dose of kudzu extract may be helpful if you’re looking to reduce your drinking. Drinking was recorded using a custom built end table that contained a digital scale beneath a ceramic tile insert in the tabletop (Ohaus model #B10P with I5S controller).
7 Desire for Alcohol
One animal study in particular demonstrated that kudzu extract and its major components are very safe, even after relatively large doses (2 g/day) over a 3-month treatment period (Keyler et al., (2002). Medication adherence was excellent and there were no adverse events, changes in vital signs, blood chemistry, renal or liver function. Kudzu root gets some serious rep’ for helping folks ease off of the booze. One small study looking at the effects of kudzu in a group of men that reported drinking between 22 and 35 drinks per week shows promising results. After consuming kudzu extract for 4 weeks, the participants reduced their number of weekly alcoholic beverages by at least a third.