Kudzu Vine Extract For Alcohol Treatment

The herb did not bring about a change in the participant’s response or cognition or stability while walking/standing. But as it was thought, it did not even worsen the effects of consuming alcohol. We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. While detoxing at home without medication is possible, treatment programs at a professional rehab facility are highly recommended. Significant amounts of alcohol can affect how l-glutamine is synthesized and absorbed in the body. Medications like ReVia and Campral can help resist the urge to drink by making alcohol less appealing.

Because this the first report on Declinol, we are compelled to briefly review these three important ingredients role in alcoholism including both central and peripheral actions. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical https://ecosoberhouse.com/ advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers. Due to potentially life-threatening side effects, alcohol withdrawal should typically be supervised by a medical professional. Several medications are approved by the FDA to alleviate alcohol cravings, but are prescription only.

Alcohol Addiction And A Kudzu Remedy

Kudzu extract is a herbal remedy that may help minimize alcohol cravings and reduce heavy drinking episodes. In the 1980s, animal studies showed that naltrexone also reduced alcohol consumption. Human clinical trials were performed in the late 80s and early 90s. These trials showed that naltrexone could decrease alcohol cravings and relapse risk when combined with psychosocial therapy. In some cases, acupuncture may be a useful supportive therapy for addiction.

Kudzu has been used as a treatment of alcohol abuse and dependence in Chinese medicine for almost 2000 years. Animal studies suggest that Kudzu extract significantly reduces alcohol craving . A recent placebo-controlled human study found that individuals who had the opportunity to binge drink significantly reduced their drinking after taking 2gm of a standardized Kudzu extract 2 1/2 hours before starting to drink . The kudzu extract diadzein has been isolated as an aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH-2) inhibitor, which has been shown in animal models to reduce excessive drinking.

• Interestingly, genotype was a significant predictor of alcohol intake, but not ethanol intensity.
• We are proposing that a novel approach to nutritional supplementation may be required to target the RDS role in alcoholism and glucose homeostasis .
• Nine of the ten participants had previously tried other programs to eliminate alcohol cravings and intake with little or no success.
• In 2004, Benlhabib and colleagues investigated the effect of kudzu extract and purified puerarin on alcohol intake.

Bouchery EE, Harwood HJ, Sacks JJ, Simon CJ, Brewer RD. Economic costs of excessive alcohol consumption in the U.S., 2006. For any questions relating to medical matters and health conditions, please seek advice from your doctor or other healthcare professionals.

Animal studies suggest that ibogaine and its primary metabolite, noribogaine, significantly reduce alcohol consumption in rats genetically engineered to prefer alcohol. In the first 90-minute session of the study, participants were told to drink as many beers as they wanted, up to a maximum of six.

Kudzu Antioxidants May Have A Modest Effect On Reduction Of Alcohol Intake In Humans

Even a tiny amount of alcohol can cause violent illness while on these drugs. By contrast, kudzu creates a mild flushed feeling at most and leaves the drinker craving alcohol a bit less. Several research groups have noted that adults also may change from nonproducer to producer status after heightened soy consumption, although not all studies concur. Franke et al. found that both post- and premenopausal women may begin to produce equol with increased isoflavone exposure.

• Harvard researchers first discovered the anti-drinking effects of the kudzu extract in 2005.
• After observation, there was a “washout” period and treatments were then reversed – those who had been taking kudzu plant were given a placebo and vice versa.
• The reduction in drinking was evident rather quickly as it was apparent for the second through sixth beers and no kudzu-treated participant drank five or six beers, which suggests that binge drinking was curtailed.
• The side effects of detoxification, such as seizures, can be dangerous and life-threatening.

A deficiency of this enzyme reduces the risk of alcohol dependence. Decreased drinking due to ALDH-2 inhibition is attributed to the aversive properties of acetaldehyde accumulated during alcohol consumption. However, daidzin can reduce drinking in some rodents without necessarily increasing acetaldehyde.

Kudzu May Reduce Intoxication Or Hangover Caused By Excess Alcohol Consumption

The root of Kudzu or Pueraria lobata or Radix pueraria is used for this purpose. When alcohol detox is treated in a licensed inpatient treatment center, medications are often prescribed to reduce uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. The medicines help reduce the risk of severe complications during the detoxification process. This is the fourth installment in a series of posts on non-pharmacologic approaches to alcohol and drug abuse.

Also puerarin interacts with cytochrome P450 enzymes- enzymes that are involved in drug metabolism. Therefore one needs to be careful while taking kudzu and any other medication. Please consult your health practitioner before taking kudzu supplements.

There’s usually no other place more comfortable, controllable, and safe-feeling than a person’s home. This is especially true for those who do not understand the risks that come with alcohol withdrawal. However, Antabuse does not reduce a person’s craving for alcohol. The medicine works by causing an intense adverse reaction when someone drinks alcohol.

However, this effect by daidzin is not like a classical ALDH-2 inhibitor because it does not also inhibit the cytosolic form, of liver ALDH-1, which is a very efficient catalyst of acetaldehyde oxidation. Thus daidzin can suppress ethanol intake of this species without blocking acetaldehyde metabolism. This is the first demonstration that a single dose of kudzu extract quickly reduces alcohol consumption in a binge drinking paradigm.

Other limitations of the present study are the use of a rather narrow aged male population who drink only at moderate levels. And, contrary to disulfiram treatment, the drinking that did occur after kudzu administration did not result in any noxious side effects, increases in subjective ratings of nausea, uncomfortable, or feeling terrible. The reduction in drinking was evident rather quickly as it was apparent for the second through sixth beers and no kudzu-treated participant drank five or six beers, which suggests that binge drinking was curtailed. Our laboratory has been involved in assessing an extract of the kudzu root for its ability to reduce alcohol consumption in humans. In the first, kudzu extract was administered for 7 days and acute binge drinking was suppressed (Lukas et al., 2005).

Nor will it drastically enhance your quality of life after the first dose. However, if you want to cut down on drinking or detoxify your body during alcohol withdrawal, kudzu may be able to help. In 2003, David Overstreet and other scientists found the herb to be effective in reducing alcohol intake on rats.

Kudzu Recovery: My Experience With Kudzu

Early research suggests that heavy drinkers who take kudzu extract for 7 days consume less beer when given a chance to drink. But kudzu doesn’t seem to decrease the craving for alcohol or improve sobriety in long-term alcoholics. An extract of the Chinese herb kudzu dramatically reduces drinking and may be useful in the treatment of alcoholism and curbing binge drinking, according to a new study by McLean Hospital and Harvard Medical School researchers.

• One study co-author is a member of the scientific advisory board at Natural Pharmacia International.
• Additionally, Lin et al. also showed that daidzin, are efficacious in lowering blood alcohol levels and shorten sleep time induced by alcohol ingestion in rat models of alcoholism.
• And, contrary to disulfiram treatment, the drinking that did occur after kudzu administration did not result in any noxious side effects, increases in subjective ratings of nausea, uncomfortable, or feeling terrible.

Here are the human studies investigating kudzu effects on alcoholism; some of the studies have received grants from NIAAA and NCCAM, but this does not seem to influence study design or results. Researchers felt that this effect was a result of kudzu root extract’s action on the central nervous system. Cheryl Mearig, PharmD. Medical Reviewer Dr. Mearig received her Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacy from the University at Buffalo.

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You can eat the root as you would other root vegetables, like potatoes or rutabagas. Kudzu roots can be dried and ground into a powder, which some people use as breading for fried foods or as a thickener for soups and sauces. The kudzu plant resembles poison ivy, so it’s important to know how to identify it correctly. Verywell Health’s content is for informational and educational purposes only. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Marijuana abuse/dependence are acceptable if the use criteria is met.

Daidzin, a compound found in the kudzu vine, interferes with the metabolization of alcohol and produces effects similar to those of the anti-drinking drug Antabuse. Daidzin and synthetic daidzin (known as CVT-1-216) kudzu alcohol addiction may prove useful in alcohol treatment. 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).

Herb To Cut Drinking: Study Details

The number of participants who drank each available beer during the 1.5 hour drinking session following administration of placebo or kudzu. Excessive alcohol consumption is a leading cause of illness worldwide (Shield et al., 2013) and has a significant impact on the health of millions people. The impact of excessive alcohol consumption results in increased healthcare costs, loss of productivity, alcohol-related crime , and motor vehicle accidents. We have not come across any research that suggests that kudzu interacts with antidepressants, blood pressure and cholesterol medications. However preclinical studies show that puerarin present in kudzu has an antidepressant effect and also modulates lipid levels favourably. Overall no significant side effects were seen, but with high dose alcohol kudzu did increase dizziness in a few patients. It also mildly increased plasma ethanol levels minutes after consuming the drink in case of high dose alcohol.

More remedies are needed to help drinkers who overdo it cut down, Penetar says. The medications approved for treating alcohol abuse and dependence don’t work for everyone, he says.

Suppression of alcohol intake was observed from day 1 of the treatment, and maximum effects were observed after two days. Extracts from the root comprise of isoflavones, primarily daidzin, daidzein, and puerarin, that suppress alcohol intake as evidenced by pre-clinical studies.