Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read on our site. Alcohol can irritate the gastrointestinal tract, and kudzu can also have potential effects on the digestive system. A combination of alcohol while taking kudzu could increase your risk of side effects or GI discomfort. If you take medicines, there’s an increased risk if you combine alcohol, kudzu and these substances. Some studies have found that the puerarin in kudzu does, in fact, influence dopamine release in some areas of the brain.

The big experiment: how can I get my body to burn more fat, without doing more exercise?

In the second, participants who were treated for 4 weeks with kudzu extract significantly reduced their alcohol consumption during weeks 2 through 4 of the study (Lukas et al., 2013). We have subsequently shown that puerarin is the major active isoflavone because 7 days treatment with this compound alone (1,200 mg/day) produced a similar reduction of binge drinking as the extract (Penetar et al., 2012). Given that a week of preplanning is unlikely before a binge drinking episode or opportunity, we built on our previous findings to explore in the present experiment if a single dose of kudzu extract taken shortly before a drinking session would reduce alcohol consumption. We developed a standardized kudzu extract that preserved the ratio of the major isoflavones found in the raw root, except that the concentration of isoflavones was increased to 25%. Other limitations of the present study are the use of a rather narrow aged male population who drink only at moderate levels. It is important to place the magnitude of the effects of kudzu extract on alcohol drinking in context.

Why Kudzu Extract is a Game-Changer for Alcohol Reduction

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. The two treatments (kudzu and placebo) were analyzed as fixed effects and time (weeks since randomization) as a repeated-measurements effect. Effect size is reported using the variance-accounted for statistic Partial Eta-Squared (η2Partial). 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).

5 Alcohol Consumption—Treatment Phase

Even a tiny amount of alcohol can cause violent illness while on these drugs. By contrast, kudzu creates a mild flushed feeling at most and leaves the drinker craving alcohol a bit less. Although I’m sure it would have helped me detoxify, kudzu and alcohol I did not use it after I quit drinking. My experience was limited to an experiment that I did years ago to see if taking the herb would reduce my drinking levels. I will discuss how it works, my experience with using powdered kudzu root for alcoholism, and recommendations. Kudzu may help by reducing the urge to consume alcohol, making it easier to control cravings.

He has a nursing and business/technology degrees from The Johns Hopkins University. Kudzu is a natural remedy that has been used for centuries in Traditional Chinese Medicine to treat alcoholism. While it may not be as effective as some prescription medications, it can still be a helpful addition to a comprehensive treatment plan for alcoholism. 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. As with any herbal supplement, it is essential to consult a healthcare professional before incorporating kudzu into one’s regimen, especially if taking medications or dealing with specific health conditions.

• The most important finding of the present study was that 4-weeks of treatment with a standardized kudzu extract reduced ad libitum alcohol consumption in a group of non treatment-seeking heavy drinkers.
• The reductions in drinking by kudzu extract were observed by the second week of treatment and persisted through the 4th week of treatment.

Taking this plant would decrease the chance that a drink would turn into an endless parade of drinks. Of course, it’s up to the individual to ensure that he or she doesn’t use this as an excuse to fall off the wagon. Your doctor can evaluate your medical history, current health, and the severity of your alcoholism to provide personalized recommendations. They will consider potential interactions between kudzu and any medications you might be taking, ensuring your safety throughout the process.

1 Alcohol Consumption

• Prior studies of its antidipsotropic effect have focused on taste-aversion, alterations in alcohol metabolism or effects on neurotransmitters.
• Alcohol can irritate the gastrointestinal tract, and kudzu can also have potential effects on the digestive system.
• However, it is important to recognize that one of the major weaknesses of the measure that we used to record desire to drink alcohol was that it was unidimensional.

The NIAAA and NCCAM had no further role in the study design; in the collection, analysis and interpretation of data; in the writing of the report; or in the decision to submit the paper for publication. Kudzu’s antioxidants help reduce inflammation, which can benefit joint health and overall wellness. None of them had noticed any side effects from the kudzu, indeed none of them were aware when they had taken it. Now, many of us make the resolution to cut back on alcohol, but like all good resolutions there is the danger of slippage. So for those of us with the modest aim of just cutting back a bit, could kudzu really help?

Common Side Effects

Kudzu root extract has been studied for the potential to reduce symptoms related to alcohol use and to reduce oral alcohol consumption. Some studies suggest kudzu can help decrease alcohol cravings and limit intake. Research has demonstrated that taking a kudzu extract prior to drinking can Drug rehabilitation reduce alcoholic intake by between 30 and 50%.