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Chemicals in kudzu might also increase blood circulation in the heart and brain. Yoga, too, has shown promis in preliminary studies reducing drug and alcohol use among people who have post-traumatic stress disorder . The first and most important step in getting treatment for alcoholism is recognizing that you have a problem. Family members and close friends often convince people with alcohol addiction to seek treatment.
Overstreet et al.’s study provides cursory evidence that a taste aversion mechanism is not likely. Increases in 5-HIAL have been shown to be correlated with decreased alcohol consumption in hamsters (Keung et al., 1995). Kudzu’s alteration of alcohol consumption may be through direct effects at brain benzodiazepine receptors on the GABAA complex.
Answer Man: Kudzu Curtails Alcohol Cravings? And Other Benefits
Kudzu flower appears to help eliminate acetaldehyde in humans, but the effectiveness of kudzu flower as a hangover remedy has yet to be confirmed in a placebo controlled double blind study. Kudzu root has been proven to reduce alcohol consumption in both humans and animals in placebo controlled, double blind studies published in peer reviewed scientific journals. As such, kudzu root offers hope to heavy drinkers who wish to make a reduction in their alcohol consumption. Unlike other drugs for alcohol dependence, Antabuse does not address the symptoms of alcohol cravings in the brain.
Our laboratory has been involved in assessing an extract of the kudzu root for its ability to reduce alcohol consumption in humans. In the first, kudzu extract was administered for 7 days and acute binge drinking was suppressed (Lukas et al., 2005). 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).
The kudzu plant is considered an out-of-control weed in the southern United States, but in Asia it is seen as an extremely versatile herbal medicine. The plant was introduced to the US in 1876 at a celebration of America’s 100th anniversary. Countries from around the world were invited to create gardens with plants from their native land. Kudzu was exotic to Americans at the time and caught their eye because of the scent of its blooms and its climbing nature. It ended up be used widely in the South and the plant took, in many people’s estimation, too well to the warm climate and now covers over seven million acres. “For more than 2,000 years, Asian cultures have found great value in kudzu,” the article states.
Kudzu Extract May Help Control Alcohol Cravings
One study in mice found that kudzu vine extract had a positive effect in the treatment of liver damage by boosting the natural antioxidant system. According to some studies, kudzu root may help manage some symptoms of metabolic syndrome. A small 2009 case report involving 16 people with regular cluster headaches provides some anecdotal evidence. Almost 3 in 4 participants had less intense headaches, more than half had fewer headaches, and 1 in 3 had shorter headaches when taking kudzu root. Research on kudzu for symptoms of menopause has been conflicting. Some research suggests that taking kudzu by mouth can reduce hot flashes and improve vaginal dryness in women going through menopause.
They are the best-recommended method for addressing alcohol misuse and addiction. Withdrawal from alcohol is not easy, and not everyone can do it alone. Adding l-glutamine back into the body while trying to quit drinking can regulate your system’s chemistry. Some of these side effects may go away during treatment as your body becomes used to the medication. Your health care professional or doctor may tell you methods for preventing or reducing some of these side effects. However, medication-assisted treatment can provide psychological support to patients.
Mclean Hospital Studies Kudzu Roots Relationship With Human Alcohol Intake
They found that Kudzu treatment resulted in significant reduction in the number of beers consumed. Shebek and Rindone performed a small prospective, randomized, double-blind pilot study in a group of veterans in a substance abuse program.12 All had a diagnosis Transitional living of chronic alcoholism, based upon DSM-IV criteria. Of the 38 patients who began the study, only 38% from the initial kudzu-treated group and 41% of the control group completed the full four months of follow-up questionnaires and regimen of study drugs.
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 . Currently we do not have a reasonable explanation as to why the subjects on Declinol did not have benefits related to both their inability to handle set- backs and or sleep . We are cognizant that alcohol abuse induces severe effects on brain reward circuitry affecting stress/anxiety as well as reticular formation in the brain. These problems may have to be addressed in future studies and may require additional therapies and neurochemical epigenetic modifications. Importantly, 40% of these patients relapsed more than five times indicating serious problems with alcohol abuse/dependence. Certainly we caution any real interpretation which must await further study.
The drug works by reducing the physical discomfort and emotional distress people typically experience when they stop drinking. After seeing the results of Keung’s research, Dr. Scott Lukas at McLean hospital affiliated with Harvard University used human subjects in an apartment-like setting.
In Brief: Herbal Treatment Helps Curb Urge To Drink
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- In China, the kudzu or gégen is found growing in shaded areas along mountains, in the fields and along roadsides, in thickets and thin forests all over the country.
- “It was tested on golden hamsters, which apparently have a penchant for alcoholism, and it lowered their craving for alcohol,” Cozzo said.
- Scientists need to do more research on the safe and effective dosages of kudzu root for various uses.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of kudzu for these uses. Studies show that people who have a religious or spiritual focus in life are less likely to abuse alcohol. If you drink, do so only in moderation, no more than 2 drinks per day for men, and no more than 1 drink per day for women.
The real danger may be the possible delay in seeking professional help for the dependence. If asked about herbal treatments for a drinking problem, it is advisable to recommend speaking with a professional rather than self-treatment with over-the-counter supplements. In this 2-part column, I will concisely review the evidence for nonconventional and integrative treatments for symptoms related to alcohol and drug abuse, dependence, and withdrawal. Part 1 covers nonconventional and integrative treatments, how to reduce alcohol cravings naturally the beneficial effects of which are achieved through a discrete biologic or pharmacologic mechanism of action. These modalities include dietary modifications; supplementation with specific vitamins, minerals, and amino acids; and use of medicinal herbs from disparate world systems of medicine. Part 2 will review the evidence for nonconventional and integrative treatments that are known to be beneficial but for which there is no evidence of direct biologic or pharmacologic effects.
This process leads to the reduction of alcohol craving and alcohol consumption in individuals dependent on alcohol. Prescription medications to help someone stop drinking are Topiramate, Naltrexone, Acamprosate and Antabuse. Individuals who are dependent on alcohol often suffer from negative side effects such as physical dependence, anxiety, depression, confusion, organ damage, strained relationships and difficulty meeting major responsibilities. Making the decision to quit drinking can help alleviate these symptoms by improving mood and lessening the physical side effects. Is one of the earliest medicinal plants used in traditional Chinese medicine. It has many profound pharmacological actions, including antidipsotropic activity. In 2003, David Overstreet and other scientists found the herb to be effective in reducing alcohol intake on rats.
Some, but not all studies of acupuncture for the treatment of alcohol abuse have shown that it can reduce cravings and symptoms of withdrawal. However, acupuncture alone should not be used to treat alcohol addiction, but it may be used in combination with counseling and groups such as AA. 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 . There are various medicines available to help people stop drinking.
Posted by: Alisha Sellers