Kudzu Recovery For Alcoholics: How It Works

This may cause the person may feel they have reached their limit faster, making them slow down and drink or smoke less. Lukas recruited 14 men and women in their 20s to spend four 90-minute sessions consuming beer and watching TV. Researchers selected people who said they regularly consumed three to four drinks per day. Alcoholism is a complex condition, and its treatment should not be taken lightly.

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• However, if you want to cut down on drinking or detoxify your body during alcohol withdrawal, this plant may be able to help.
• As with any herbal supplement, it is essential to consult a healthcare professional before incorporating kudzu into one’s regimen, especially if taking medications or dealing with specific health conditions.
• Although it doesn’t help in reducing the craving for a drink or maintaining sobriety, small studies have found that when taking kudzu root extract, heavy drinkers consumed less booze than usual.
• The BDI measures of the placebo-treated participants were 2.0 ± 2.58 and 1.67 ± 1.37 at baseline and during treatment, respectively.
• The roots and flowers of the kudzu plant are packed with an array of biologically active compounds that can have many beneficial effects; it’s often used as a hangover cure and to suppress cravings for alcohol.

Lukas and Lee applied for, and were granted, a patent for kudzu extract to treat alcohol abuse and dependence. McLean Hospital has licensed the production of kudzu extract (NPI-031) to Natural Pharmacia International (NPI), Inc. and they are marketing it as Alkontrol-Herbal®. All other authors declare that kudzu to stop drinking they have no actual or potential conflict of interest that could inappropriately influence, or be perceived to influence, this work. McLean Hospital has licensed the production of kudzu extract (NPI-031) to Natural Pharmacie International (NPI), Inc. and they are marketing it as Alkontrol-Herbal®.

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In addition, the diaries permitted the participants to enter additional data that could not be recorded on the watch. Some research specifically on the kudzu species Pueraria mirifica suggests that doses of 50–100 mg per day appear to have a low risk of adverse side effects (18). 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. Kudzu root may increase the risk of liver injury or interact with certain medications, like birth control.

How much is too much alcohol?

This reduction in alcohol consumption can be particularly beneficial during the early stages of recovery when cravings are intense. Your doctor can evaluate your medical history, current health, and the severity of your alcoholism to provide personalized recommendations. They will consider potential interactions between kudzu and any medications you might be taking, ensuring your safety throughout the process. Fifty-one percent of adults over the age of 18 and 56% of those age 18–44, are current regular drinkers (Schiller et al., 2012). 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.

Common Side Effects

• This product may adversely interact with certain health and medical conditions, other prescription and over-the-counter drugs, foods, or other dietary supplements.
• Sometimes, negative or unhelpful thoughts can lead to harmful behaviors so becoming more aware and able to manage thought patterns can improve feelings and problematic behaviors long-term.
• Recent scientific studies have indicated that kudzu could be beneficial for reducing alcohol withdrawal symptoms 1.
• The investigator speculated that Kudzu increases blood alcohol concentration.

He suggested that they test Kudzu to see if it would reduce alcohol consumption among their rats. This information relates to an herbal, vitamin, mineral or other dietary supplement. This product has not been reviewed by the FDA to determine whether it is safe or effective and is not subject to the quality standards and safety information collection standards that are applicable to most prescription drugs. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to take this product. This information does not endorse this product as safe, effective, or approved for treating any patient or health condition.

CNS effects

“The most urgent need is helping people who cannot help themselves, who need a drug to help them stop drinking,” Keung said. Lukas’ study was inspired by Dr. Wing Ming Keung, a pathology professor at Harvard Medical School who has studied kudzu’s potential medical applications. Moreover, kudzu might assist with the prevention of relapses by supporting the stabilization of neurotransmitter levels in the brain. However, it is essential to remember that kudzu alone is not a panacea for alcoholism.

• Dr. Neil McGregor has warned that the active components of Kudzu have been linked to cancer.
• More recently, kudzu root has made its way to Western countries as an herbal supplement.
• In some instances, even a single dose of kudzu extract reduced alcohol consumption and prevented binge drinking (4, 5).

The most popular forms available appear to be powdered drink mixes, capsules, disintegrating tablets, and liquid extract drops. Small studies in people have observed noteworthy improvements in these menopausal symptoms, among others, like vaginal dryness (9, 10). The kudzu plant resembles poison ivy, so it’s important to know how to identify it correctly. In its raw form, kudzu root resembles other root tubers, such as potatoes or yams. Kudzu root, also called Japanese arrowroot, is native to China, Japan, and Korea.

Inflammation is not something to be take lightly as it can contribute to more serious issues like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and even cancer. It is usually treated with over-the-counter medications, but kudzu might be a more natural option. If you struggle with metabolic syndrome (which incorporates a bunch of health problems like high blood pressure, https://ecosoberhouse.com/ high cholesterol, and insulin resistance), kudzu might be worth looking into. “Kudzu root extract contains isoflavones, which appear to lower cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar, and insulin levels,” Beckerman says. It’s best to speak with your healthcare provider to determine whether kudzu root could interact with any medications you’re taking.