KUDZU: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews

Therefore, if you know how potent the unextracted powder is, it is almost always a better option. Kudzu’s antioxidants help reduce inflammation, which can benefit joint health and overall wellness. Finding useful information and resources about addiction or alcoholism can be a minefield.

Medical

Therefore, you must take it for at least 2-4 weeks to notice most of the benefits. But again, cycling the herb and not taking it at least twice a week is necessary to prevent tolerance in the long term. There is also good evidence that drinking clear spirits reduces the severity of hangovers.

A single dose of kudzu extract reduces alcohol consumption in a binge drinking paradigm

Participants were instructed to always keep the beer glass on the table except when taking a sip. The scale was connected to a computer in an alcoholism adjacent room that ran a customized program that sampled the scale at 5 Hz and detected any weight changes that exceeded 1 gm. Additional details and photos of the device can be found in Lukas et al. (2005).

• Kudzu has been shown to be effective in reducing alcohol cravings and consumption in the short term.
• For alcoholics, Kudzu is definitely worth trying, especially given the fact there is no risk involved.
• Kudzu contains isoflavones that may improve blood flow and reduce the risk of heart issues by acting as natural vasodilators.

Medications that can harm the liver (Hepatotoxic drugs) interacts with KUDZU

• In that study, however, we did find evidence of an initial more rapid rise in blood alcohol levels in kudzu-treated individuals, suggesting that isoflavones may alter bioavailability of alcohol to the brain during the ascending alcohol absorption phase.
• This was demonstrated in our previous study (Penetar et al., 2011) where pharmacokinetic parameters such as peak concentration and elimination time were not affected by kudzu.
• This invasive weed is native to East Asia, particularly China, Japan, and Korea, where it has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine.
• 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.
• Historically, it was used to treat various ailments such as fever, muscle pain, and alcohol-related issues.

The information on this site should not be taken as medical advice nor are any of the staff affiliated with a medical organization. Kudzu was introduced to the United States in the late 19th century, and can now be found covering millions of acres across the United States. It is often sprayed with herbicide, so unfortunately your best bet for organic kudzu is a store or the Internet. Dry Mouth Dry mouth, also known as xerostomia, can occur as a side effect of kudzu use.

Best time to take kudzu

These resources can be instrumental in guiding you toward effective strategies for overcoming alcoholism. Dizziness A feeling of dizziness or lightheadedness may occur in some cases. It’s important to remember that side effects can vary from person to person. If you experience any adverse reactions while using kudzu, consult your healthcare provider promptly. This is because isoflavones can help dilate blood vessels, allowing for better blood flow. Kudzu may also help reduce the risk of blood clots, which can lead to heart attacks and strokes.

The subjects were people taking the extract and those taking a placebo. As a result, the researchers gave compounds from Kudzu root to the special lab rats. The investigators found that the compounds reduced the rats’ alcohol intake.

More specifically, some have claimed kudzu provides great relief from the side effects of cyclical overdrinking. Such side effects that kudzu gives relief to are the hangover effects, a common affliction in people who struggle with alcohol addiction. When alcohol is consumed, kudzu may reduce the time it takes for it to travel to the brain.

Lukas and Lee hold a patent for kudzu extract to treat alcohol abuse and dependence. McLean Hospital has licensed the production of kudzu extract (NPI-031) to Natural Pharmacia International (NPI), Inc. that markets it as Alkontrol-Herbal™. 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.

What is Kudzu?

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. The ability of puerarin and related isoflavones to facilitate alcohol’s entry into the brain has not been systematically studied. For this mechanism to be plausible, the more rapid penetration of alcohol into the brain would have to trigger a satiety mechanism rather quickly such that the desire for the next drink is delayed—thus interrupting a binge episode. 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.

Kudzu Extract: Surprising Results in Reducing Alcohol Consumption

Next, Dr. Lee contacted researchers at the Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies. He suggested that they test Kudzu to see if it would reduce alcohol consumption among their rats. 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, kudzu and alcohol which were later replicated with human subjects. Taking kudzu will not turn an alcoholic into a nondrinker overnight.