The kudzu group significantly reduced consumption from 3.0 ± 1.7 at baseline to 1.9 ± 1.3 beers after treatment. The placebo-treated group opened 33 beers during baseline conditions and 38 following treatment whereas the kudzu-treated group opened 32 beers during baseline conditions and only 21 following treatment. While kudzu root has a long history in traditional Chinese medicine, people most often use it to help treat alcohol dependence. It may also have other benefits, such as for menopausal symptoms. A standardized kudzu extract (NPI-031) reduces alcohol consumption in nontreatment-seeking male heavy drinkers.

• Due to the lack of data on the pre-intervention, it cannot be said statistically whether the results were affected by the intervention.
• 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.
• The results showed pre-treatment with kudzu extract had little to no effect on the participant’s behavioral, physical or cognitive performance.
• The information we provide while responding to comments is not intended to provide and does not constitute medical, legal, or other professional advice.
• Kudzu’s alteration of alcohol consumption may be through direct effects at brain benzodiazepine receptors on the GABAA complex.

Kudzu root is the edible root of the Pueraria genus of plants. The kudzu plant is a vine that resembles poison ivy and is native to several Asian countries. Scientists need to do more research on the safe and effective dosages of kudzu root for various uses. It’s best to speak with your healthcare provider to determine whether kudzu root could interact with any medications you’re taking. People often eat different parts of the plant raw, sautéed, deep-fried, baked, or jellied. You may be wondering how people use kudzu root and what to know when considering whether to give it a try.

May ease menopause symptoms

Approximately 2,000,000 acres of forest land are covered by Kudzu vine. Development of a recognized, validated testing method and threshold equol value or equol-to-daidzein ratio will aid future interpretation of evidence. The plant Cytisus laburnum from which cytisine is derived is traditionally used as an emetic and purgative, so nausea and vomiting is the main side effect. Like verenicline, it can disrupt the sleep cycle and cause nightmares. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism funded the study. One study co-author is a member of the scientific advisory board at Natural Pharmacia International.

In a small case study, researchers found that isoorientin, a compound isolated from kudzu root, is capable of boosting antioxidant levels and reducing inflammation in mice with swollen paws. Falcatum, administered orally to rats at a daily dose of 500 mg/kg for 3 days, normalized liver functions as determined by serum alkaline phosphatase levels in rats treated with carbon tetrachloride . Treatment of rats with saikosaponins 2 hours before treatment with D-galactosamine inhibited the increase in serum aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels produced by damage of liver tissues . Conversely, saikosaponins did not affect an increase in serum alanine aminotransferase and experimental cirrhosis in rats caused by carbon tetrachloride intoxication . One of the herbals in Declincol, Gentian, is considered the king of the bitter herbs. 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 . Tangerine Peel has some bitter qualities as well, and is an excellent complement to the actions of Gentian.

Other potential health benefits

During the week of puerarin treatment, they drank slightly less than during the placebo week — three drinks a day compared to 3.4. Overconsumption of alcohol has significant negative effects on an individual’s health and contributes to an enormous economic impact on society as a whole. Pharmacotherapies to curb excessive drinking kudzu for alcohol cravings are important for treating alcohol use disorders. A. She took kudzu-root extract (available in health-food stores). In its native China, kudzu has long been used to help people control their desire for alcohol. It’s important to note that this is a case study, so it can’t prove kudzu root caused this liver injury.

• For this reason, it’s difficult to make recommendations for various uses.
• Mindfulness therapies have been used to keep people from relapsing.
• Regardless of the mechanism of action, the present finding that a modest, single dose of kudzu extract reduces binge drinking has profound implications as it offers a unique opportunity for early intervention for problem drinkers.
• Ashwagandha is an herbal supplement made from the Withania somnifera plant.
• Behavior-observing researchers did not know who had been given what.

Small studies in people have observed noteworthy improvements in these menopausal symptoms, among others, like vaginal dryness . 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. Kudzu root, also called Japanese arrowroot, is native to China, Japan, and Korea. Today, kudzu grows in other parts of the world as well, including in the southern United States.

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McLean Hospital has a licensing agreement with NPI for the extract. The first session was to make the participants familiar with the surroundings. Today, it’s used in China and other countries to treat coronary problems and blood-flow problems, Penetar says.

Heated, aqueous extraction of soybeans to make soy milk and tofu, removes the malonyl group to make daidzin . Fermentation can also lead to hydrolysis of the glucosyl group . Various herbs and combinations of herbs are reported to be effective in reducing cravings, but in general, no studies have proven their effectiveness. Various herbs and combinations of herbs are reported to be effective in reducing cravings, but in general, no studies have been conducted to prove their effectiveness.

Kudzu: A Brief History

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 interpretation of kudzu’s possible mechanism of action was also suggested by Wong et al. who postulated that kudzu alters peripheral and cerebral blood flow. Puerarin, one of the most abundant isoflavones in kudzu root extracts, is a known vasodilator and is approved for such use in China following coronary infarction and stroke (Wu et al., 2014). Regardless of the mechanism of action, the present finding that a modest, single dose of kudzu extract reduces binge drinking has profound implications as it offers a unique opportunity for early intervention for problem drinkers. As an herbal plant extract, kudzu can be made available without a prescription. 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.

In a study comparing cytisine to nicotine replacement, 40% quit on cytisine compared to 31% on nicotine replacement. Cytisine is a plant-based alkaloid found in the seeds of the golden rain tree . It works similar to the drug varenicline and has been available in Eastern Europe since the 1960s. The leaves of this plant were smoked by Russian soldiers during World War II when there was a shortage of tobacco. Get FREE daily coaching messages from Chris Scott to help you quit or cut down on alcohol in just 10 days. 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. My problem at the time was a denial of the severity of my drinking problem.