Kudzu extract, however, offers a natural, safe, and effective alternative for those looking to reduce their alcohol consumption. For alcoholics, Kudzu is definitely worth trying, especially given the fact there is no risk involved. Where a patient does not want to consider prescription drugs, natural Chinese medicines such as this one can be used alongside behavioural alcohol rehab treatments and peer-led groups to help in recovery. Although, seek advice from your GP before you commence any alternative therapies.
Other Health Benefits of Kudzu Extract
However, many of the potentially beneficial compounds get lost during the extraction process. Therefore, if you know how potent the unextracted powder is, it is almost always a better option. Kudzu root may help treat some of the most common menopausal complaints, including hot flashes and night sweats.
- Remember that every individual’s journey to recovery is unique, and what works for one person may not work for another.
- Therefore, if you know how potent the unextracted powder is, it is almost always a better option.
- Most of the information in this guide is based on scientific research that can be found and verified in the PubMed medical library.
- Please seek professional care if you believe you may have a condition.
Download Our Brochure of Addiction Treatment Services
However, kudzu extract significantly reduced the number of drinks consumed each week by 34-57%. 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). In some instances, even a single dose of kudzu extract reduced alcohol consumption and prevented binge drinking (4, 5).
Improved Cardiovascular Health
- Heavy drinkers, both male and female, were given either a placebo or kudzu extract for 7 days.
- While taking a kudzu supplement for alcohol cravings can be beneficial and has research-backed evidence to support it, there’s something critical to note.
- However, putting too much pressure on the body can be counter-productive and cause multiple side effects, including toxicity.
- Dizziness A feeling of dizziness or lightheadedness may occur in some cases.
- However, many of the potentially beneficial compounds get lost during the extraction process.
We hope this guide has helped you determine if you should add kudzu to your supplement stack and how to do it right.If you have any further questions or want to share your feedback, feel free to send us an email! We may receive commissions for purchases made through the links in this post. The most popular forms available appear to be powdered drink mixes, capsules, disintegrating tablets, and liquid extract drops.
Medications that can harm the liver (Hepatotoxic drugs) interacts with KUDZU
Additionally, kudzu may help reduce inflammation, which is often a contributing factor to the development of type 2 diabetes. Alcohol can irritate the gastrointestinal tract, and kudzu can also have potential effects on the digestive system. A combination of alcohol while taking kudzu could increase your risk of side effects or GI discomfort.
Kudzu extract can reduce alcohol intake in humans
Kudzu root extract is packed with isoflavones, including puerarin, daidzin, and daidzein, which have been the subject of modern research due to their potential to reduce alcohol consumption naturally. One such natural medicine that has been found to be effective in reducing alcohol intake is Kudzu. When it comes to how to take kudzu root for alcohol use and cravings, the optimal dose hasn’t been established. In current research, doses of kudzu extract for issues related to alcohol have ranged from 300 mg to 2000 mg a day. It’s important to note that the standardized content of the kudzu and alcohol important active compounds, primarily puerarin, varies among different products. Kudzu extract was administered in gelatin capsules containing 500 mg of extract (Alkontrol-Herbal™; NPI-031) prepared by Natural Pharmacia International, Inc., Burlington, MA.
This latter scenario might very well permit the use of lower doses of prescription medications and thus reduce the incidence of side effects. Furthermore, because kudzu extract exerts its beneficial effects within hours of the first dose, it could be administered heroin addiction along with a prescription medication and provide “coverage” until the other medication begins to work. All of the above mentioned mechanisms, with the exception of a disulfiram-like one, require repeated administration and time to develop. Since consuming alcohol while taking kudzu extract is not aversive, another explanation is necessary to account for the extremely fast onset of action observed in the present study. 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.
Studies have looked at the benefits of kudzu extracts for managing menopause symptoms like mood swings and hot flashes. Many people struggle with excessive alcohol use, even if they want to stop, so they’re turning to solutions like kudzu for alcohol cravings. It’s mentally defeating to try and curb excessive drinking, and you may find that you face a lot of regret after alcohol consumption, binge drinking or excessive drinking. Even when you don’t have the symptoms of alcohol use disorders, you may still consider natural options that will help you change your drinking behavior. The root of the Kudzu plant has been used for centuries in Chinese medicine to treat a variety of ailments, including alcoholism.
Can I avoid, or treat, arthritis?
Kudzu is also known for its flower, which is used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat fever, headache, and other ailments. The arrowroot starch derived from the Kudzu plant is also used in cooking as a thickener. The plant contains phytoestrogens, which are compounds that mimic the effects of estrogen in the body. Kudzu, also known as Pueraria Montana, is a climbing vine that belongs to the pea family.