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In animal studies, feeding with kudzu root suppressed alcohol intake and withdrawal symptoms (4). A few examinations have been led to research the impacts of kudzu on liquor desires. One study distributed in The American Diary of Psychiatry found that members who took kudzu extract encountered a lessening in their desire to drink contrasted with the people who got a placebo treatment. The researchers came to the conclusion that kudzu may in fact aid in curbing alcohol cravings.
Kudzu and withdrawal symptoms
Therefore, the extract from fruit and leaf of persimmon might have the ability to improve alcohol metabolism and liver lipid profile due to its antioxidant components such as flavones and phenolics. We employed two different biochemical methods (urinary riboflavin and plasma puerarin levels), to monitor medication adherence. The lack of side effects after four weeks of treatment with both placebo and kudzu extract is likely one of the major reasons for the high rate of medication adherence. Vital signs, measures of blood chemistry, liver function tests and urinalysis assessments were all normal. 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).
Potential benefits of kudzu root
- Kudzu has deep historical roots in East Asia, particularly in countries like China, Japan, and Korea.
- Its sweet flavor nourishes and strengthens digestive organs, especially the Spleen and Stomach.
- Increased consecutive days of abstinence is a desirable outcome of an alcohol treatment program, especially during the initial phases of treatment (Washton and Zweben, 2006).
- When alcohol is consumed, kudzu may reduce the time it takes for it to travel to the brain.
- The flowers have been used to treat the problems caused by alcohol drinking due to their ability to enhance acetaldehyde removal 40.
The room contained a small sink with an under-the-counter refrigerator where the beverages (beer, juice, and water) were kept. When recovering from alcohol addiction, fixing these nutrient deficiencies for your overall health is important. Whether you are struggling with addiction, mental health or both, our expert team is here to guide you every step of the way. Don’t wait— reach out today to take the first step toward taking control of your life. Its botanical features include compound leaves with three broad leaflets, twining vines capable of extensive climbing, and distinctive purple flowers arranged in clusters.
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One of the main reasons we drink alcohol is because it makes us feel more sociable. Recent guidelines recommend we stick to 14 units a week, which will be harder for some than others. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies Alcoholics Anonymous to your personal circumstances. Remember, these are only potential benefits and may not be supported by extensive scientific studies. Always consult a healthcare professional before using Kudzu to ensure it is safe and appropriate for your individual needs. People who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking medications, especially for hormone-related or cardiovascular conditions, should avoid consuming Kudzu without medical advice.
Although many different B vitamins can be impacted by drinking, one of the most dangerous B-vitamin deficiencies is thiamine or vitamin B1. Lack of vitamin B1 can cause a life-threatening condition called Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. For this reason, those who struggle with alcohol are often told to take vitamin B1. Kudzu’s antioxidants help reduce inflammation, which can benefit joint health and overall wellness. The introduction of kudzu to the United States dates back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Traditional herbal medications and their effects on alcohol consumption and AWS
It is quite likely that the desire to use alcohol in an outpatient setting cannot be captured with a single question; we also observed an absence of an effect on desire for alcohol in our previous study (Lukas et al., 2005). Drinking data were collected using a small wristwatch-like device (ActiWatch® Score, MiniMitter Co., OR) and daily diaries. The ActiWatch has a small button and digital LED faceplate and participants wore the device 24 hours a day for the entire 8-week study and were asked to record all drug and alcohol use by pressing the button to enter the proper code. Participants were provided with a small card that identified unique codes to record use of alcohol, cigarettes, caffeine, and other drugs. Participants were instructed to report when they consumed each drink, which was defined as a 12 oz can of beer, 5 oz glass of wine or 1.5 oz distilled spirits. 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.
The subjects stood erect on the platform with feet together with their eyes either open or closed, and with their arms either by their side or extended to the side with their palms facing upward. Participants were told to relax between each 30-second collection period, but did not move their feet. Assessments were performed after completion of the questionnaires at 30, 45, and 60 minutes after start of alcohol administration; after 1 hour, stance stability was assessed every 30 minutes until the end of the session at 3 hours. Today, the most popular ways to use kudzu root are as an herbal supplement or a root tea. For over 2,000 years, people have used kudzu root in traditional Chinese medicine for purposes like treating fevers, diarrhea, and even diabetes and heart disease (1).
NPI-028 contains the extracts of several plants including Puerariae lobata (kudzu) and Citrus reticulata, which have long been used to lower intoxication (Sun, 600). Rooke et al., (2000) has suggested that puerarin may block biogenic amine metabolic pathways, resulting in an alteration in central reward pathways. In our most recent study (Penetar et al., 2011) we provided evidence that kudzu extract may alter blood ethanol levels after an acute drinking episode. In fact, we reported that kudzu extract did just that and interrupted binge drinking (Lukas et al., 2005). This profile differs somewhat from that of kudzu extract and may represent a novel herbal compound that may be a therapeutic candidate. The extract of Hypericum perforatum (HPE) is widely used for the treatment of affective disorders 100.
Kudzu may interact with certain medications, such as benzodiazepines, and can cause adverse effects. 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. In 2012, I ordered some high-quality organic kudzu capsules after reading about the potential for it to curb alcohol consumption.
- Dr. Neil McGregor has warned that the active components of Kudzu have been linked to cancer.
- Pueraria lobata, also known as kudzu, is an adaptogenic herb with a long history of use for reducing the intensity of migraines and hangovers.
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Natural products have shown wide prospects for the prevention and treatment of hangover and alcohol use disorder. In the future, more bioactive compounds in plants (especially medicinal plants, fruits and vegetables) should be separated and identified, and the mechanisms of action should be studied further. Extracts from the roots of Salvia miltiorrhiza could reduce alcohol intake in sP rats. Intragastric administration of 200 mg/kg extract reduced alcohol intake by 40% and preference throughout a 4 day treatment of a 2-bottle free-choice regimen. A possible mechanism was that Salvia miltiorrhiza curbed alcohol absorption from the gastrointestinal tract 110. The alcohol levels in blood were markedly reduced while the severity of alcohol withdrawal syndrome in alcohol-dependent rats was not attenuated with the intervention of Salvia miltiorrhiza extracts 111.
Other limitations of the present study are the use of a rather narrow aged male population who drink only at moderate levels. Studies of kudzu in humans are limited and have mostly focused on its effects on alcohol consumption or climacteric symptoms. In heavy drinkers, data suggest kudzu may be a useful adjunct to reduce alcohol intake (9) (19) (23). 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). An analysis of the participant’s alcohol craving or urge to drink prior to the drinking session revealed that neither was affected by kudzu pretreatment.