In fact, traditional Chinese medicine has used the plant for over 2,500 years. Ultimately, a comprehensive approach to health and well-being, including evidence-based treatments, remains paramount. Research has found that kudzu can help improve insulin sensitivity, which can help regulate blood sugar levels. Additionally, kudzu may help reduce inflammation, which is often a contributing factor to the development of type 2 diabetes. This is because isoflavones can help dilate blood vessels, allowing for better blood flow. Kudzu may also help reduce the risk of blood clots, which can lead to heart attacks and strokes.
Health Conditions
One of the active ingredients in milk thistle extract is silymarin, which may improve liver function in people with alcohol use disorder. Generally, the more alcohol you drink on a regular basis, the longer it takes for cravings to subside. Researchers bought a variety of Kudzu extracts from stores and Internet sites. They found that none of them worked to reduce craving for alcohol.
4 Alcohol Consumption—Baseline Phase
The overall incidence of side effects (e.g., headaches, shakes, chills, nausea, etc.) in both groups ranged between 1.7 and 3%. None of the study participants reported any insomnia, sedation, dizziness, blurred vision, tinnitus, or altered libido. 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 participants in this study (Bracken et al., 2011). Researchers have proposed and tested various hypotheses to explain kudzu root’s strange ability to curb alcohol consumption.
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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. We found that, on average, each person consumed 7 units of alcohol after the placebo and, on average, 5.5 units after the kudzu.
Side Effects and Risks
Nevertheless, it may be a good idea to avoid if you use blood thinning or diabetes medications. Kudzu root may help treat alcohol dependence, liver damage, and menopausal symptoms. Scientists need to do more human studies to determine its effectiveness in other areas, like inflammation, heart health, and headaches. While scientists need to do more research on the health effects of kudzu, some studies suggest that kudzu root may have other health benefits worth considering. 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). Another study found that people who took puerarin, an isoflavone extract from the kudzu plant, prior to drinking took longer to consume alcoholic beverages (3).
One Chinese herbal medicine, XJL (NPI-028), has long been used to reduce the inebriation that results from alcohol consumption. NPI-028 contains the extracts of several plants including Puerariae lobata (kudzu) and Citrus reticulata, which have long been used to lower intoxication (Sun, 600). Rooke et al., (2000) has suggested that puerarin may block biogenic amine metabolic pathways, resulting in an alteration in central reward pathways. In our most recent study (Penetar et al., 2011) we provided evidence that kudzu extract may alter blood ethanol levels after an acute drinking episode. In fact, we reported that kudzu extract did just that and interrupted binge drinking (Lukas et al., 2005). This profile differs somewhat from that of kudzu extract and may represent a novel herbal compound that may be a therapeutic candidate.
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. This is only a brief summary of general information about this product.
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The degree of reduction is often as high as 50% and the effects appeared within one to two days of treatment. Puerarin, daidzin and daidzein are the active isoflavones in kudzu. Regardless of the actual mechanism of action, it is widely accepted that the isoflavones in kudzu are effective in reducing alcohol intake in a number of mammalian species. Furthermore, there is a need to develop efficacious medicines from natural products that have a low incidence of side effects or toxicity (Xu et al., 2005).
- Lukas recruited 14 men and women in their 20s to spend four 90-minute sessions consuming beer and watching TV.
- One study on 82 postmenopausal women notes that using a Pueraria mirifica (a particular species of kudzu) gel may improve symptoms of vaginal dryness.
- Some common applications include treating fevers and easing symptoms of diabetes.
- The arrowroot starch derived from the Kudzu plant is also used in cooking as a thickener.
- There is some scientific evidence suggesting acupuncture provided by a qualified practitioner can help cut alcohol consumption and lessen alcohol withdrawal symptoms (11).
- Researchers selected people who said they regularly consumed three to four drinks per day.
- According to traditional Chinese medicine, this plant has cooling properties that balance the heat and false energy created by alcohol.
- In fact, we reported that kudzu extract did just that and interrupted binge drinking (Lukas et al., 2005).
To preserve the double-blind, kudzu and placebo capsules were repacked into #00 opaque capsules (Apothecary Products, Minneapolis, MN). Capsule sets were individually packaged in small envelopes and marked on the outside with date and time of day to be consumed. Medication adherence was measured using ultraviolet (UV) light to detect riboflavin in centrifuged urine samples (Del Boca et al., 1996) that were collected twice a week. Endogenous levels of riboflavin are too low to fluoresce and participants were instructed to avoid multivitamin complexes while participating in the study. Because riboflavin is cleared from the body quickly, fluorescing urine indicated compliance in the past 18–24 hours. In addition, participants reported pill taking by checking time-of-day boxes on daily diaries and by entries on the wrist actigraphy watches.
- More recently, kudzu root has made its way to Western countries as an herbal supplement.
- “Kudzu root extract contains isoflavones, which appear to lower cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar, and insulin levels,” Beckerman says.
Therefore, it’s always best to consult your healthcare provider before taking it. While kudzu root has a long history in traditional Chinese medicine, people most often use it to help treat alcohol dependence. Furthermore, the men who took kudzu had fewer heavy drinking days per week and had significantly more consecutive days with no alcohol consumption (2). The does kudzu help with alcohol cravings major dependent variable was self-reported alcohol consumption as measured via the wrist actigraphy device. Using the continuous measure of alcohol consumption, drinking was quantified using a number of different variables as noted above.
