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There are many ways, both medical and traditional, that are used to treat alcohol abuse or dependence. In China, kudzu root extract has been commonly used to reduce, but not eliminate, alcohol consumption and dependence. Despite its history, the mechanism of action for kudzu extract is still unknown, and that is what the current research explores. The current evidence favors the safety of Kudzu root although some have questioned the potential build- up of acetaldehyde following its administration to humans [11,12]. On the other side of the safety issue, Singh et al. [12] evaluated the protective effects of puerarin from kudzu root against alcohol-induced toxicities. Alcohol withdrawal after 70 days of drinking generated severe withdrawal symptoms including seizure-type EEG activity.
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). In this recent study, the researchers gave twelve participants different schedules of placebo or kudzu pills, and then observed the effects of drinking a set amount of vodka. They tested steadiness of gait, body sway, how well participants could stand upright, and how drunk they said they felt, among other factors. The researchers found that these types of responses were not intensified if participants had taken kudzu, suggesting that the drug does not work by increasing the intensity or duration of alcohol’s effects.
Treats Alcoholism
Some evidence suggests kudzu root may help with liver damage, while other preliminary evidence suggests it may cause liver injury in certain cases. Scientists need to do more research on the effects of kudzu root in humans to investigate these effects in the liver. Kudzu root is rich in antioxidants, compounds that protect cells from oxidative stress that can lead to disease. The isoflavone https://ecosoberhouse.com/ puerarin is the most abundant antioxidant compound in the kudzu vine (6). Another study found that people who took puerarin, an isoflavone extract from the kudzu plant, prior to drinking took longer to consume alcoholic beverages (3). Furthermore, the men who took kudzu had fewer heavy drinking days per week and had significantly more consecutive days with no alcohol consumption (2).
- 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.
- While cirrhosis scars from excessive drinking are irreversible, quitting alcohol and leading a healthier lifestyle can help your liver heal from alcohol-related liver disease.
- The scale was connected to a computer in an adjacent room that ran a customized program that sampled the scale at 5 Hz and detected any weight changes that exceeded 1 gm.
- Genistein, and the related compound daidzein, was also shown to protect neurons from HIV-1 Tat protein, which affects the cognitive processes in animal models of HIV dementia [35].
However, the researchers did note that treatment with kudzu caused an increase in heart rate, skin temperature and blood ethanol levels in the participants. Based on this, the researchers hypothesized that an increase in blood ethanol levels could translate into increased effects from the kudzu for alcohol cravings first alcoholic drink and delay an individuals desire for subsequent drinks. For targeting alcohol dependence, studies have used dosages of 1.2 grams of kudzu root extract per day over 1 week, or a single dose of 2 grams before drinking alcohol, without noted side effects (3, 19).
A Single Dose of Kudzu Extract Reduces Alcohol Consumption in a Binge Drinking Paradigm
These include cancer, diabetes, irritable bowel syndrome and cardiovascular disease (x) (x). Sleep, caffeine and greasy food may be the go-to hangover remedies in North America, but in China and Southeast Asia, kudzu is the preferred method to treat hangovers. A bit of kudzu likely won’t hurt after the occasional night of drinking, although research has yet to conclusively prove that the herb is a true, or safe, hangover cure (x). Relapse is when someone resumes drinking in unhealthy ways after a period of recovery. In one of the studies in the review, researchers compared a real acupuncture treatment to a fake one.
Never take a new medication or adjust existing prescriptions without the approval of a doctor who is aware of previous health issues and current prescriptions. Weight gain is common during and after menopause, increasing a woman’s risk of developing diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Not only can daidzein alleviate menopausal symptoms by mimicking the effects of estrogen, it’s also known to reduce food intake and help with weight loss (x).
1 Alcohol Consumption
This copyrighted material is provided by Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Consumer Version. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version. We’re empowering you to make wise decisions about your own health, by providing you with essential health information about both medical and alternative treatment options. Kudzu is considered safe, with few side effects other than the potential for an allergic reaction to the plant. “The most urgent need is helping people who cannot help themselves, who need a drug to help them stop drinking,” Keung said.
In tests, it was found that the bitter taste from Gentian can still be perceived even when diluted down to 1 part in 12,000 [25]. Tangerine Peel has some bitter qualities as well, and is an excellent complement to the actions of Gentian. Tangerine Peel delivers several novel flavonoids that all offer numerous health advantages including enhancing metabolism, promoting detoxification, and protecting cells from free radical damage.
