Kudzu cuts alcohol consumption Harvard Gazette
This Dr. Axe content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure factually accurate information. Kudzu root is a rich source of antioxidants, which can help protect the body against damage from free radicals. Free radicals are molecules that can damage cells, leading to a range of health issues.
All other authors declare that they have no actual or potential conflict of interest that could inappropriately influence, or be perceived to influence, this work. Two hours before the first visit, we gave both sub-groups a pill – neither group knew whether they were getting the supplement or the placebo. When they visited the bar, beer, spirits and white wine were freely available.
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Various studies have used single, one-time doses or daily doses for a week without reported adverse effects. Kudzu root may increase the risk of liver injury or interact with certain medications, like birth control. Anecdotal sources say it may also be harmful to take with medications for diabetes or blood clotting. 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.
- Kudzu can be purchased with ease online and it won’t break the bank.
- You should talk with your health care provider for complete information about the risks and benefits of using this product.
- More recently, kudzu root has made its way to Western countries as an herbal supplement.
- After 4 days, I have a drink, more out of habit than anything else but found that it didn’t give me any pleasure, so why bother?
Therefore, you must take it for at least 2-4 weeks to notice most of the benefits. But again, cycling the herb and not taking it at least twice a week is necessary to prevent tolerance in the long term. Unfortunately, there is not much information https://ecosoberhouse.com/ about the half-life of kudzu in the body. However, most of the effects of this herb are cumulative, so they mostly happen in the long term rather than acutely. Therefore, the half-life of this herb isn’t very relevant in practice.
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Some birth control pills include ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel (Triphasil), ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone (Ortho-Novum 1/35, Ortho-Novum 7/7/7), and others. We hope this guide has helped you determine if you should add kudzu to your supplement stack and how to do it right.If you have any further questions or want to share your feedback, feel free to send us an email! We may receive commissions for purchases made through the links in this post. This herb should not impact your sleep in any negative way. Whether you take it in the morning or the evening typically doesn’t make much difference. Alcoholism can be a detrimental disorder, consuming someone from the inside out.
- 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.
- By contrast, kudzu creates a mild flushed feeling at most and leaves the drinker craving alcohol a bit less.
- Kudzu root may increase the risk of liver injury or interact with certain medications, like birth control.
- 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.
- While some studies have shown promising results, others have found no significant difference between kudzu and a placebo.
Taking kudzu along with birth control pills might decrease the effectiveness of birth control pills. While you can find kudzu vine almost anywhere in the South by taking a drive on a country road, kudzu root is probably most popular by way of a supplement or as kudzu root tea that can be found at most health food stores. However, look closely at the label to make sure you know how much kudzu is in it. Some have reported that the labels are misleading, claiming more kudzu contents that there really are.
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A study published in Psychopharmacology involved four weeks of treatment of 17 men ages 21–33 years old. These men reported drinking 27.6 ± 6.5 drinks/week with a diagnosis of alcohol abuse and/or alcohol dependence. They consumed either kudzu extract or matched placebo on a daily basis.
We had kudzu extracts laboratory tested – and they didn’t contain anything like the amount they said on the packet. But before you rush out to buy kudzu extract, there’s a sting in this particular tale. Our test, and those carried out in the US, involved each person taking 500mg of the active ingredient. But we looked hard and we couldn’t find any brands of kudzu available in the UK that have the government’s THR mark, which guarantees that they actually contain what they say on the label. Until the effects of kudzu can be quantified properly in a larger study, then, and a standardised product is available on the market with the THR mark, it’s not something we can recommend you take.
The root contains isoflavones, a compound that has been shown to reduce alcohol consumption in rats. Kudzu root extract is now widely used in the United States as a natural remedy for alcoholism. So when I return to moderate drinking in February I plan to stick to abstinence, kudzu extract for alcoholism at least three days a week. But I also want to try out a herbal supplement called kudzu. Because, much to my surprise, it turns out that this ancient Chinese remedy for heart disease may also help us cut our alcohol consumption without really noticing it.
Nevertheless, it may be a good idea to avoid if you use blood thinning or diabetes medications. It’s important to note that these studies used kudzu extract, which may have contained other parts of the kudzu plant besides the root. Thus, scientists need to do more research in this area on the effects of kudzu root specifically. Also a researcher made a small clinical study of 14 men and women who were heavy drinkers. They found that kudzu reduced the quantity of alcohol they drank. The investigator speculated that Kudzu increases blood alcohol concentration.
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As far the the root goes, you can cook kudzu roots like potatoes, or dry them and grind them into powder, which makes a great breading for fried foods or a thickener for sauces. This article is based on scientific evidence, written by experts and fact checked by our trained editorial staff. Note that the numbers in parentheses (1, 2, etc.) are clickable links to medically peer-reviewed studies. Ultimately, a comprehensive approach to health and well-being, including evidence-based treatments, remains paramount.