The root contains isoflavones, a compound that has been shown to reduce alcohol consumption in rats. Kudzu root extract is now widely used in the United States as a natural remedy for alcoholism. Kudzu is a plant that has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. In recent years, it has gained attention for its potential use in treating alcoholism.

A Single Dose of Kudzu Extract Reduces Alcohol Consumption in a Binge Drinking Paradigm

It has been suggested that kudzu may be effective in reducing alcohol consumption, alcohol cravings, and withdrawal symptoms in individuals with alcohol use disorders. Kudzu is an invasive vine that natively grows in East Asia—especially China and Japan. While it’s primarily known as being an invasive plant, there are also parts of it, especially the root, that have been used for various purposes in traditional Chinese medicine. In traditional herbal medicine, kudzu root extract has been suggested to have potential health benefits for alcoholism, hangovers, and also menopause.

Kudzu and Diabetes

Sometimes we feel the need to ‘cleanse’ our body, to facilitate weight or fluid loss, or to eliminate toxins that we may have ingested from the occasional unhealthy meal. Most of the information in this guide is based on scientific research that can be found and verified in the PubMed medical library. We highly encourage you to use the library to verify anything you read in this article.

Anti-Inflammatory Effects

• This amount should give you most of the benefits without meaningful side effects.
• In traditional herbal medicine, kudzu root extract has been suggested to have potential health benefits for alcoholism, hangovers, and also menopause.
• The research concludes that 1.5 to 3 grams of kudzu extract should be taken three times per day throughout one to four weeks for alcoholism improvement.
• Keep this herb or herbal supplement in a cold, dark, and dry place and it should remain just as potent for many months or even years.
• Still, it’s worthwhile to delve more deeply into how it works to help reduce alcohol consumption.
• Drinking was recorded using a custom built end table that contained a digital scale beneath a ceramic tile insert in the tabletop (Ohaus model #B10P with I5S controller).

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. In terms of what I felt when I took this plant, my experience supports the observations of others who note that it might act like a much gentler form of disulfiram or Antabuse. These drugs are often prescribed to alcoholics to keep them abstinent. Even a tiny amount of alcohol can cause violent illness while on these drugs.

Kudzu extract can reduce alcohol intake in humans

Chronic use of alcohol can lead to changes in the neurotransmitter systems, creating dependence on alcohol so that neurotransmitters related to pleasure are released. Your brain may signal alcohol cravings as a way to seek the rewarding effects it can have. Alcohol cravings are influenced by a combination of factors, which are often physiological, psychological and environmental. Understanding the underlying mechanisms is also essential in the discussion of using kudzu for alcohol cravings. While you could safely take higher doses, there is usually no point in taking more than 1200 mg of dry powder daily.

• These data add to the mounting clinical evidence that kudzu extract may be a safe and effective adjunctive pharmacotherapy for alcohol abuse and dependence.
• Kudzu contains isoflavones that may improve blood flow and reduce the risk of heart issues by acting as natural vasodilators.
• There is also good evidence that drinking clear spirits reduces the severity of hangovers.
• In this article, I’m going to discuss how to use kudzu recovery for alcoholism.

Healthy digestion and intestinal rhythm through plants

These data add to the mounting clinical evidence that kudzu extract may be a safe and effective adjunctive pharmacotherapy for alcohol abuse and dependence. Some studies have looked at the topic of taking kudzu to stop drinking. For example, an older study published in 2005 found that kudzu extract reduced alcohol consumption in a group of heavy drinkers. In that study, participants who took kudzu extract consumed fewer beers and had lower alcohol intake measures compared to the placebo-treated group. In cases of alcoholism, the doses studied in scientific research were 1.5-3g of kudzu root extract taken in 3 doses per day over 1-4 weeks. A single dose of 2g of kudzu extract has also been used in other studies before a drinking session.

What’s more, the kudzu plant leaves, vine tips, and purple flower blossoms are also edible. 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. The room contained a small sink with an under-the-counter refrigerator kudzu and alcohol where the beverages (beer, juice, and water) were kept.

The government runs the voluntary Traditional Herbal Registration (THR) scheme in an effort to combat this problem. Any product carrying a THR mark can be relied upon to contain the amounts of herb/active ingredient as stated on the bottle. Some evidence suggests kudzu root may help with liver damage, while other preliminary evidence suggests it may cause liver injury in certain cases.

Should I check my cholesterol levels at home?

It is important to consult with a healthcare professional before taking kudzu, especially if you are taking other medications or have underlying health conditions. As with any herbal supplement, it is essential to consult a healthcare professional before incorporating Alcoholics Anonymous kudzu into one’s regimen, especially if taking medications or dealing with specific health conditions. The information on our site is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.