What Is Kudzu Root? Health Benefits, Side Effects and Risks

Conversely, saikosaponins did not affect an increase in serum alanine aminotransferase and experimental cirrhosis in rats caused by carbon tetrachloride intoxication 49. Purified puerarin another ingredient in Kudzu root was also shown to suppress alcohol intake in the short term as well reducing withdrawal reactions in high ethanol preferring rats. The major dependent variable was self-reported alcohol consumption as measured via the wrist actigraphy device. Using the continuous measure of alcohol consumption, drinking was quantified using a number of different variables as noted above.

• It has been suggested that kudzu may be effective in reducing alcohol consumption, alcohol cravings, and withdrawal symptoms in individuals with alcohol use disorders.
• The primary indication of this complex and the pilot study described in this article involve Declinol’s effect in alcoholism.
• Kudzu doesn’t seem to alter the urge to drink, but rather how quickly you top yourself up.
• Kudzu for alcohol cravings is just one approach to reducing your intake, but addiction is a complicated psychological disease that requires a more comprehensive treatment plan.
• Thirty percent of current drinkers report drinking excessively (Naimi et al., 2003) and 92% of U.S. adults who drink excessively report binge drinking in the past 30 days (Town et al., 2006).

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• However, these supplements have not been thoroughly substantiated with scientific research to confirm the efficacy of their actions and benefits.
• Regardless, if you’re on any medication, make sure to check with your doctor.
• The most popular forms available appear to be powdered drink mixes, capsules, disintegrating tablets, and liquid extract drops.
• While the literature seems to support an effect of Kudzu and especially isoflavonoid constituents to suppress ethanol intake in animal models, in contrast, Shebek and Rindone 9,10 were unable to reproduce this effect in humans.
• The anti-inflammatory properties may alleviate some hangover symptoms as well, many of which are due to inflammation related to alcohol use.

The kudzu plant is a vine that resembles poison ivy and is native to several Asian countries. Small studies in people have observed noteworthy improvements in these menopausal symptoms, among others, like vaginal dryness (9, 10). Kudzu root is rich in antioxidants, compounds that protect cells from oxidative stress that can lead to disease. The isoflavone puerarin is the most abundant antioxidant compound in the kudzu vine (6).

Osteogenic activity

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. As a safe, over-the-counter preparation, kudzu may be used alone in initial attempts to curb alcohol consumption, but it may also become a useful adjunct to the currently available prescription medications. This latter scenario might very well permit the use of lower doses of prescription medications and thus reduce the incidence of side effects.

Kudzu and Menopausal Symptoms

In this article, I’m going to discuss how to use kudzu recovery for alcoholism. Kudzu is an invasive weed that has also been used to treat alcoholism for well over one thousand years. Research has found that kudzu can help improve insulin sensitivity, which can help regulate blood sugar levels. Additionally, kudzu may help reduce inflammation, which is often a contributing factor to the development of type 2 diabetes. Until https://ecosoberhouse.com/ the effects of kudzu can be quantified properly in a larger study, then, and a standardised product is available on the market with the THR mark, it’s not something we can recommend you take. The government runs the voluntary Traditional Herbal Registration (THR) scheme in an effort to combat this problem.

• Kudzu root is the edible part of a trailing vine native to several Asian countries.
• Persons who responded to these advertisements were given a brief telephone screen, and invited to the laboratory for further evaluations.
• In fact, we reported that kudzu extract did just that and interrupted binge drinking (Lukas et al., 2005).
• The finding that alcohol intake was reduced without affecting desire to use alcohol at first seemed counter-intuitive.
• It is important to note that kudzu should not be used as a substitute for professional medical treatment for alcoholism.
• As expected, I didn’t really feel anything after taking it until I began drinking.

Known as TAS2R’s, these receptors are located throughout the gut kudzu to stop drinking and are set to detect a variety of differing bitter profiles. Throughout the gut and endocrine system, digestive secretions are promoted in the stomach, pancreas, gall bladder, liver, and small and large intestine. Bitters have been used to help relief symptoms of constipation, flatulence, appetite loss, vomiting, heartburn, abdominal pain and nausea 28.

Six natural herbs for a natural detox plan

They reported alcohol consumption and desire to use alcohol using a wrist actigraphy device; twice weekly laboratory visits were scheduled to monitor medication adherence and adverse events. Kudzu, scientifically known as Pueraria lobata, is renowned in traditional Chinese medicine for its diverse applications, including the treatment of alcohol dependence. While scientific research on kudzu’s effectiveness in addressing alcoholism is limited, some studies have shown promising results.

• If they are successful kudzu could become a recommended treatment for heavy drinkers – but only when a standardised product is available.
• Bitters have been used to help relief symptoms of constipation, flatulence, appetite loss, vomiting, heartburn, abdominal pain and nausea 28.
• In fact Lin et al. 4 suggested the anti-craving effects of these compounds may be due to CNS mechanisms.
• Also a researcher made a small clinical study of 14 men and women who were heavy drinkers.
• Chronic use of alcohol can lead to changes in the neurotransmitter systems, creating dependence on alcohol so that neurotransmitters related to pleasure are released.