Study Says Kudzu Extract Might Reduce Alcohol Craving : NPR

There is some evidence that kudzu root dietary supplements may cause liver injury. One study in mice found that taking 10 mg per day of kudzu root extract for 4 weeks caused liver toxicity (15). While the blood flow theory of kudzu for alcoholism may be true, there is likely more going on here. Kudzu contains several active isoflavones, which are natural plant chemicals with antioxidant effects. This compound has a positive effect on the central nervous system and the brain. 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).

It is the job of the Spleen to lift clear yang, but this task is impaired by alcohol. True clear yang fills the mind with brightness and intelligence, so when it fails to raise properly, dizziness, fogginess and fatigue ensue, resulting in hangover. It’s important to seek AUD treatment only from a qualified healthcare professional or facility. Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) is an herb rich in the antioxidant silymarin. It is often touted as a means of restoring liver health and protecting against liver damage from too much alcohol. Ashwagandha is an herbal supplement made from the Withania somnifera plant.

Kudzu Treatment for Alcohol Abuse (KUDZU)

Today, researchers are exploring this Chinese herb’s use in Detoxification therapy and to reduce alcohol consumption abuse. Kudzu root gets some serious rep’ for helping folks ease off of the booze. One small study looking at the effects of kudzu in a group of men that reported drinking between 22 and 35 drinks per week shows promising results. After consuming kudzu extract for 4 weeks, the participants reduced their number of weekly alcoholic beverages by at least a third. The herb called the kudzu is a high climbing, coarse textured twining and trailing type of perennial vine found in parts of Asia and naturalized elsewhere [1].

In addition, nuclear level of HDAC3 was enhanced and the hypermethylation of H3K9 and the hyperphosphorylation of H3S10 was suppressed by genistein diet [139]. Hirata et al. [136] found that genistein treatment increased the expression of sFRP1 and Smad4 tumor suppressor genes through hypomethylation of H3K9 and H3K27. The upregulation of tumor suppressors p21, p16, and BTG3 was linked with H3K4 hypermethylation in cancer cells [133,137]. In contrast, reduced occupancy of SIRT1 on the p53 and FOXO3a promoters was accompanied with increased acetylation and decreased methylation of H3K9, which resulted in activation of PTEN and CYLD in prostate cancer cells [146].

The Importance of AUD Treatment

Regardless of the mechanism of action, the present finding that a modest, single dose of kudzu extract reduces binge drinking has profound implications as it offers a unique opportunity for early intervention for problem drinkers. As an herbal plant extract, kudzu can be made available without a prescription. While it does not completely eliminate drinking, it is clearly effective in significantly reducing intake, which offers individuals an opportunity to engage in more responsible drinking patterns. As a safe, over-the-counter preparation, kudzu may be used alone in initial attempts to curb alcohol consumption, but it may also become a useful adjunct to the currently available prescription medications.

The study was done in an at-home basis to allow for better compliance and prove if this program could be successful without daily intervention in a natural setting [11]. Each subject had full time access to the study coordinator and had weekly contact with the coordinator during the full 8 week term. Subjects were all Caucasian, lower to middle income, residing in a small Midwestern town. Each subject was interviewed in person and determined to be actively drinking on a regular basis, all exceeding what would be considered normal consumption ranging from 1-2 times per week to drinking on a daily basis. Several of the subjects had been drinking for many years and often drank to or past the point of inebriation.

This supplement has been used in connection with the following health conditions:

The room contained a small sink with an under-the-counter refrigerator where the beverages (beer, juice, and water) were kept. Some programs offer you a chance to live in a facility where you can have more intense treatment. With other programs, you live at home but visit a treatment center daily. Alcohol use disorder has also been linked to a higher risk of several cancers, including colon, breast, oral, liver, and throat cancers. A 2017 research review did not find that this therapy was more effective than other forms of relapse prevention.

• The Chinese noticed that people who consumed the plant started to drink less.
• They propose that the suppression of alcohol reinforcement produced by kudzu plant compounds is mediated centrally in the brain reward pathway.
• It’s been used for health purposes in Traditional Chinese Medicine for a really long time.

They are also interested in the possibility of developing a dosage of kudzu that individuals could take once, before a night of drinking, rather than a set of pills which must be taken regularly. 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). What’s more, https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/how-to-naturally-reduce-alcohol-cravings/ the kudzu plant leaves, vine tips, and purple flower blossoms are also edible. Kudzu root is the edible part of a trailing vine native to several Asian countries. People have used it for many years in traditional Chinese medicine, and it resembles other root tubers, like yams. In its raw form, kudzu root resembles other root tubers, such as potatoes or yams.

More recently, kudzu root has made its way to Western countries as an herbal supplement. I will discuss how kudzu works, my experience with using powdered kudzu root for alcoholism, and recommendations for taking kudzu. In this article, I’m going to discuss how to use kudzu recovery for alcoholism. Kudzu is an invasive weed that has also been used to treat alcoholism for well over one thousand years. Over the past three decades, isoflavones have been the subject of active investigation due to their roles in the prevention of chronic diseases, including several types of cancers [31,32]. Isoflavones are structurally similar to 17β-estradiol and have been the subject of intense research regarding their effects on human health as agonists of the ERβ receptor.

Most importantly extracts of Tangerine Peel have been shown to enhance learning and memory. Kawahata et al. [25] recently reported on the enhancement properties of Tangerine Peel extracts to facilitate potently- mediated transcription linked to the upstream cAMP/PKA/ERK/CREB pathway in hippocampal neurons. This may have important anti-alcohol relapse benefits based on dopaminergic genetics and its relationship to executive function and good decision making necessary for appropriate relapse prevention [26,27]. 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). 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 researchers observed 12 men and women in a double-blind placebo-controlled study.

Kudzu Recovery: Overview of Kudzu

When triggered by bitter compounds, these receptors then stimulate a myriad of bodily functions [19-21]. In addition to digestion, these receptors promote absorption of nutrients, blood sugar homeostasis, and can even help with weight control. Moreover, specific bitter receptors seem to promote the elimination of absorbed toxins from the gut [22-24]. “You want to make sure that your medication is not as bad or worse than the drug you’re trying to treat,” Lukas said. Small studies in people have observed noteworthy improvements in these menopausal symptoms, among others, like vaginal dryness (9, 10).

It does NOT include all information about the possible uses, directions, warnings, precautions, interactions, adverse effects, or risks that may apply to this product. This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. You should talk with your health care provider for complete information about the risks and benefits of using this product.

It produces pretty reddish purple pea-like flowers that lead to the production of dark brown hairy pods.