A standardized kudzu extract NPI-031 reduces alcohol consumption in nontreatment-seeking male heavy drinkers

Kudzu contains isoflavones, which is part of why it potentially reduces alcohol consumption. Studies have looked at the benefits Drug rehabilitation of kudzu extracts for managing menopause symptoms like mood swings and hot flashes. 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. The results of this groundbreaking study highlight the incredible potential of Kudzu Extract to reduce binge drinking and alcohol consumption safely and naturally.

• The kudzu plant resembles poison ivy, so it’s important to know how to identify it correctly.
• Participants were instructed to report when they consumed each drink, which was defined as a 12 oz can of beer, 5 oz glass of wine or 1.5 oz distilled spirits.
• The present study revealed that kudzu extract is also effective in heavy drinkers in their home, work and/or school environment.
• Kudzu may interact with certain medications, such as benzodiazepines, and can cause adverse effects.
• You can find kudzu root supplements easily online and in a variety of natural food or supplement stores.
• A standardized formulation of kudzu extract produced minimal side effects, was well-tolerated and resulted in a modest reduction in alcohol consumption in young non treatment-seeking heavy drinkers.

How much water should I be drinking?

Kudzu is a natural remedy that has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine. It has been suggested kudzu and alcohol that kudzu may be effective in reducing alcohol consumption, alcohol cravings, and withdrawal symptoms in individuals with alcohol use disorders. Studies and anecdotal reports suggest kudzu can reduce alcohol cravings and the desire to drink through its effects on the neurotransmitter system.

Benefits of Kudzu for Alcohol Cravings

The participants reported their desire for and consumption of alcohol for the duration of the study. 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). When it comes to how to take kudzu for alcohol cravings or alcohol abuse, we’ve briefly touched on its mechanism of action. Still, it’s worthwhile to delve more deeply into how it works to help reduce alcohol consumption. The root of the Kudzu plant has been used for centuries in Chinese medicine to treat a variety of ailments, including alcoholism. The root contains isoflavones, a compound that has been shown to reduce alcohol consumption in rats.

Kudzu extract can reduce alcohol intake in humans

• It is only in recent years that our Western pharmacopeia has been interested in this root to help alcohol and tobacco withdrawal.
• However, it is essential to remember that kudzu alone is not a panacea for alcoholism.
• Heavy drinkers, both male and female, were given either a placebo or kudzu extract for 7 days.
• What’s more, the kudzu plant leaves, vine tips, and purple flower blossoms are also edible.
• However, more research is needed to determine its long-term effectiveness in promoting alcoholism recovery.
• In some instances, even a single dose of kudzu extract reduced alcohol consumption and prevented binge drinking (4, 5).

A single dose of 2g of kudzu extract has also been used in other studies before a drinking session. In recent years, various natural alternatives have emerged as potential treatments for controlling alcohol and tobacco addiction. Several studies on kudzu have shown that the root helps to reduce alcohol or nicotine intake. This is because the three main isoflavones present in kudzu extracts – daidzin, daidzein and puerarin – are responsible for the beneficial effects of reducing alcohol and nicotine consumption 2.

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. You can eat the root as you would other root vegetables, like potatoes or rutabagas. Kudzu roots can be dried and ground into a powder, which some people use as breading for fried foods or as a thickener for soups and sauces.

Common Side Effects

I took several capsules per day before drinking, and went through all of it in about one month. 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. Another study found that people who took puerarin, an isoflavone extract from the kudzu plant, prior to drinking took longer to consume alcoholic beverages (3). Some plants could naturally help you stop smoking, alcohol or other so-called “soft” drugs.

• In the first, kudzu extract was administered for 7 days and acute binge drinking was suppressed (Lukas et al., 2005).
• 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.
• While scientific research on kudzu’s effectiveness in addressing alcoholism is limited, some studies have shown promising results.

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). 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. One Chinese herbal medicine, XJL (NPI-028), has long been used to reduce the inebriation that results from alcohol consumption.

• Kudzu root contains highly active substances such as daidzin, daidzein, and puerarin, which are grouped under the term isoflavones.
• Kudzu isn’t a standalone treatment for alcoholism or reducing voluntary alcohol intake, but if your goal is to reduce alcohol cravings or cut back, it may be a helpful natural supplement.
• Kudzu contains isoflavones, which is part of why it potentially reduces alcohol consumption.
• None of the study participants reported any insomnia, sedation, dizziness, blurred vision, tinnitus, or altered libido.
• Some studies have found that the puerarin in kudzu does, in fact, influence dopamine release in some areas of the brain.
• They have already proven their effectiveness, such as Avena sativa, more commonly known as oats, St. John’s wort or Griffonia simplicifolia rich in 5-HTP, which increases serotonin levels in the body and therefore considerably improves mood.

The kudzu root may interact with certain medications or pose other health risks for certain people. Therefore, it’s always best to consult your healthcare provider before taking it. 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.

Improved Cardiovascular Health

No feeling of lack, no irritability, everything goes smoothly and without side effects. It works by modulating glutamate transmission and acting as an NMDA receptor antagonist. Acamprosate restores the balance between inhibitory and excitatory neurotransmitters in the brain, and it’s demonstrated in clinical trials that it can help reduce alcohol relapse rates, relieve some of the symptoms of withdrawal, and help maintain abstinence.