This interpretation of kudzu’s possible mechanism of action was also suggested by Wong et al. (2011) who postulated that kudzu alters peripheral and cerebral blood flow. Puerarin, one of the most abundant isoflavones in kudzu root extracts, is a known vasodilator and is approved for such use in China following coronary infarction and stroke (Wu et al., 2014). In spite of the compelling preclinical and clinical evidence of its efficacy, the precise mechanism of action of kudzu in reducing alcohol consumption is not currently known. Prior studies of its antidipsotropic effect have focused on taste-aversion, alterations in alcohol metabolism or effects on neurotransmitters. Overstreet et al.’s (1998) study provides cursory evidence that a taste aversion mechanism is not likely.
2 Materials and Medication
Scientists need to do more research to investigate the potential of kudzu root to cause liver injury in humans. 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). However, some people may experience mild side effects such as nausea, dizziness, and headache. It is important to consult with a healthcare professional before taking kudzu, especially if you are taking other medications or have underlying health conditions.
- When you don’t get enough REM sleep, you won’t feel rested, and you’ll see that influence your performance the day after.
- An industry standard adverse event reporting form was used to collect information on potential adverse and serious adverse events during each laboratory visit.
- All tests were two-sided with significance level of 0.05 and were performed using SPSS software (version 19.0, IBM SPSS, Inc, Chicago, IL).
- The present study was conducted in nontreatment-seeking heavy drinkers to assess the safety and efficacy of 4 weeks of kudzu extract in an outpatient setting.
- The amount of alcohol consumed was calculated for each group (1 unit per drink of beer or spirits, 1.6 units per glass of wine).
4 Alcohol Consumption—Baseline Phase
Kudzu is also known for its flower, which is used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat fever, headache, and other ailments. The arrowroot starch derived from the Kudzu plant is also used in cooking as a thickener. The plant contains phytoestrogens, which are compounds that mimic the effects of estrogen in the body. Kudzu, also known as Pueraria Montana, is a climbing vine that belongs to the pea family. This invasive weed is native to East Asia, particularly China, Japan, and Korea, where it has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine. Kudzu is a natural medicine that is extracted from the root of the plant.
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Kudzu, whose scientific name is Pueraria mirfica, is a vine used https://ecosoberhouse.com/ in Chinese medicine for a variety of health promoting purposes.
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The 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. In addition, responses to the audible prompts multiple times a day were used to assess desire to consume kudzu to stop drinking alcohol. 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). The number of participants who drank each available beer during the 1.5 hour drinking session following administration of placebo or kudzu.
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- Alcohol withdrawal can begin within hours of ending a drinking session.
- Side/adverse effects also were tracked on a daily basis by entries in their diaries; items addressed a wide range of somatic complaints.
- From a harm reduction perspective, kudzu extract results in a desirable outcome for a population of heavy drinkers, especially when one considers the other important finding of the present study—kudzu extract was without any adverse events and minimal side effects.
- The most popular forms available appear to be powdered drink mixes, capsules, disintegrating tablets, and liquid extract drops.
Vital signs: binge drinking prevalence, frequency, and intensity amoung adults—U.S., 2010
Anti-inflammatory effects
- Next, Dr. Lee contacted researchers at the Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies.
- Several studies on kudzu have shown that the root helps to reduce alcohol or nicotine intake.
- Our bodies produce melatonin to help control our sleep-wake cycle, which happens to coincide with sunlight.
- But that aid in falling asleep might not last too long — alcohol can ruin your sleep over time.
