Today, kudzu grows in other parts of the world as well, including in the southern United States. In my opinion, the Planetary Herbals brand is a great option for someone who has not yet quit drinking, https://ecosoberhouse.com/ and who wants to try pure kudzu powder on its own. However, there are a lot of supplements that claim to contain it that are mostly cheap fillers. It is known to be extremely safe, with very few reported adverse side effects. Because my drinking levels were so stupendously high in the first place, kudzu did not turn me into a moderate drinker by any stretch of the imagination.
Uses & Effectiveness
The information on this site should not be taken as medical advice nor are any of the staff affiliated with a medical organization. Dry Mouth Dry mouth, also known as xerostomia, can occur as a side effect of kudzu use. What’s more, the kudzu plant leaves, vine tips, and purple flower blossoms are also edible.
Side Effects and Safety
- Small studies in people have observed noteworthy improvements in these menopausal symptoms, among others, like vaginal dryness (9, 10).
- 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 kudzu root has a long history in traditional Chinese medicine, people most often use it to help treat alcohol dependence.
- Next, Dr. Lee contacted researchers at the Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies.
- Starting in the early 1990s, researchers at Indiana University investigated this effect in rats’and in golden Syrian hamsters, which have a particular liking for alcohol.
- The most popular forms available appear to be powdered drink mixes, capsules, disintegrating tablets, and liquid extract drops.
One such resource is AlcoholAwareness.org, which offers a wealth of information, support, and guidance for individuals and their families dealing with alcoholism. 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. For instance, it may reduce the effectiveness of birth control due to its estrogenic effects (8, 17). It’s important to note that this is a case study, so it can’t prove kudzu root caused this liver injury.
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The ActiWatch® Score device contains an accelerometer that was used to record sleep/wake activity. We have previously reported on the sleep/wake patterns of the alcoholism treatment participants in this study (Bracken et al., 2011). In retrospect, my experience demonstrates the utility of kudzu for alcoholism. If I had been committed to using it to wean off of alcohol and then quit, it might have been a very valuable part of my recovery. I did not know at the time that people also use it to treat alcohol withdrawal symptoms; nor did I care, because I did not intend to quit at the time.
Kudzu may help by reducing the urge to consume alcohol, making it easier to control cravings. This reduction in alcohol consumption can be particularly beneficial during the early stages of recovery when cravings are intense. He worked for many years in mental health and substance abuse facilities in Florida, as well as in home health (medical and psychiatric), and took care of people with medical and addictions problems at The Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. He has a nursing and business/technology degrees from The Johns Hopkins University. Furthermore, it’s likely that the suggested doses for kudzu root will vary depending on the manufacturer and the type of supplement you may be considering. There isn’t much scientific evidence available on the dosing for kudzu root as a supplement.
Are there any side effects associated with taking kudzu for alcoholism?
- Together, they benefit the digestive system, even offering relief from stomach ulcers and heartburn.
- Kudzu also increases heart rate and opens up blood vessels, so it possibly allows alcohol to course more readily around the body.
- It is crucial for individuals struggling with alcohol addiction to seek professional help and consider evidence-based treatments.
The room contained a small sink with an under-the-counter refrigerator where the beverages (beer, juice, and water) were kept. We know that inflammation is a big cause of numerous diseases and the immediate go-to is typically an over-the-counter synthetic medication. Kudzu is native to Asia, particularly China, Japan and Korea, and has been used in Eastern medicine for centuries. It’s related to five species in the genus Pueraria (P. montana, P. lobata, P. kudzu supplement alcohol edulis, P. phaseoloides and P. thomsoni).
Links to NCBI Databases
Scientists need to do more research to investigate the potential of kudzu root to cause liver injury in humans. Some health companies sell the kudzu root species Pueraria mirifica as a supplement for menopausal and postmenopausal women. One study in mice found that kudzu vine extract was highly beneficial in treating alcohol-induced liver damage by scavenging harmful free radicals and boosting the natural antioxidant system (6). Because of this effect, it might also be helpful for people who have quit drinking and want to make sure that a potential slip doesn’t become a full-blown relapse. Taking this plant would decrease the chance that a drink would turn into an endless parade of drinks. Of course, it’s up to the individual to ensure that he or she doesn’t use this as an excuse to fall off the wagon.
Drugs & Supplements
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). Current use was defined as at least one drink in the past 30 days while binge use includes drinking five or more drinks per day. The last study above was designed to test the hypothesis that kudzu accelerates the subjective experience of alcohol intoxication. If this were the primary effect of kudzu increasing blood flow, then subjects should feel more intoxicated with fewer drinks after taking it. Overconsumption of alcohol has significant negative effects on an individual’s health and contributes to an enormous economic impact on society as a whole.
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. These phytochemicals can help fight disease caused by inflammation, treat alcoholism, reduce blood pressure, fight the flu, reduce symptoms of menopause and more. Sporadic missing data from the actiwatches were filled in from the back up daily diary data.