Kudzu root is rich in antioxidants, compounds that protect cells from oxidative stress that can lead to disease. The isoflavone puerarin is the most abundant antioxidant compound in the kudzu vine (6). The kudzu plant resembles poison ivy, so it’s important to know how to identify it correctly. In its raw form, kudzu root resembles other root tubers, such as potatoes or yams. Kudzu root, also called Japanese arrowroot, is native to China, Japan, and Korea. Today, kudzu grows in other parts of the world as well, including in the southern United States.

I typically drink about a bottle of wine and one or two strong cocktails every evening. Once I get started, I just don’t want to stop, and most of my drinking is done secretly. Not to make excuses for myself, but I am high-functioning; I don’t day drink, I’m a good mom, keep a clean house, never drink and drive, and take care of myself (with the exception of the drinking).

Kudzu and Menopausal Symptoms

Declinol utilizes a proprietary and patent-pending encapsulation technology that enhances the absorption and bio-availability of its herbal compounds. The active ingredients are all encapsulated, or enveloped, using specific processing techniques, within phosphatidyl choline based spheres that act as transport vehicles. The process mimics natural actions that take place within the gut to enable proper absorption of nutrients, especially phyto-nutrients and fat soluble vitamins. The body’s own process in this regard creates micelles, single layer or unilamellar spheres in the size range of approximately 100 nanometers that typically can transport single nutrients.

The lack of side effects after four weeks of treatment with both placebo and kudzu extract is likely one of the major reasons for the high rate of medication adherence. Vital signs, measures of blood chemistry, liver function tests and urinalysis assessments were all normal. One animal study in particular demonstrated that kudzu extract and its major components are very safe, even after relatively large doses (2 g/day) over a 3-month treatment period (Keyler et al., (2002). Separate general linear model ANOVAs for data with repeated measurements were used to analyze the number of drinks per week and the number of heavy drinking days per week.

How much is too much alcohol?

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).

• 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).
• Understanding the underlying mechanisms is also essential in the discussion of using kudzu for alcohol cravings.
• Participants were provided with a small card that identified unique codes to record use of alcohol, cigarettes, caffeine, and other drugs.
• The anti-craving effect of disulfiram may also be due to inhibition of dopamine beta hydroxylase thereby increasing neuronal dopamine [3].

Be prepared to have these things on hand for when a craving strikes so you can nip it in the bud. You should also surround yourself with people who will help you quit and celebrate your wins along the way. However, certain food groups also have benefits when it comes to helping with the discomfort of withdrawal symptoms and detoxification. Written kudzu to stop drinking informed consent was obtained from the patients for the publication of this pilot study and the accompanying data. A copy of the written consent is available for review by the Editor-in-Chief of this journal. Due to the lack of data on the pre-intervention, it cannot be said statistically whether the results were affected by the intervention.

Osteogenic activity

Some evidence suggests kudzu root may help with liver damage, while other preliminary evidence suggests it may cause liver injury in certain cases. Scientists need to do more research on the effects of kudzu root in humans to investigate these effects in the liver. Anecdotal sources also note that kudzu root may https://ecosoberhouse.com/ lower blood sugar too much or slow down blood clotting. Nevertheless, it may be a good idea to avoid if you use blood thinning or diabetes medications. 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.

• Kudzu for alcohol cravings is just one approach to reducing your intake, but addiction is a complicated psychological disease that requires a more comprehensive treatment plan.
• Finally, the role of Disulfiram because of its inhibition of Dopamine –Beta –Hydroxylase thereby increasing brain dopamine has been also proposed for cocaine abuse or possibly other RS behaviors [63].
• Early research focused on rats with good results, which were later replicated with human subjects.
• The BDI and BAI scores remained unchanged during the course of treatment with both kudzu extract and placebo.
• When you stop consuming alcohol or reduce your intake, you may have withdrawal symptoms, including cravings.

Researchers found that the kudzu extract had no effect on alcohol cravings, but it reduced the number of weekly alcoholic drinks by 34–57% (2). Estimates of blood alcohol levels were obtained during each study visit using a breathalyzer device (AlcoSensor®, Intoximeter, St Louis, MO). They were required to come to the lab twice a week to provide urine, breath and blood samples to monitor drug use, alcohol drinking and liver function, respectively. Only one breath sample was positive for alcohol during all three phases of the study. Studies and anecdotal reports suggest kudzu can reduce alcohol cravings and the desire to drink through its effects on the neurotransmitter system. It modulates the dopamine, GABA and serotonin systems, diminishing the rewarding and reinforcing effects of alcohol and reducing the desire to drink.