The kudzu plant is a vine that resembles poison ivy and is native to several Asian countries. Some research specifically on the kudzu species Pueraria mirifica suggests that doses of 50–100 mg per day appear to have a low risk of adverse side effects (18). Kudzu root may help treat some of the most common menopausal complaints, including hot flashes and night sweats. On day 3 of taking this and alll of a sudden my usual beloved lunch time glass of wine is doing nothing.
item 8 Planetary Herbals Full Spectrum Kudzu Tablets, 240 CountPlanetary Herbals Full Spectrum Kudzu Tablets, 240 Count
And, it does come with a list of possible side effects, Beckerman says, including itchiness, upset stomach, dizziness, nausea, headache, fever, and even the possibility of red blood cells breaking inside blood vessels. Studies on the effectiveness of kudzu for alcoholism have shown mixed results. While some studies have shown promising results, others have found no significant difference between kudzu and a placebo. It is important to note that kudzu should not be used as a substitute for professional medical treatment for alcoholism. Anecdotal sources also note that kudzu root may lower blood sugar too much or slow down blood clotting. Nevertheless, it may be a good idea to avoid if you use blood thinning or diabetes medications.
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- What’s more, the kudzu plant leaves, vine tips, and purple flower blossoms are also edible.
- As expected, I didn’t really feel anything after taking it until I began drinking.
- Today, kudzu is used to treat alcoholism and to reduce symptoms of alcohol hangover, including headache, upset stomach, dizziness, and vomiting.
Of course, it is entirely possible that any of the above mechanisms may also develop with repeated administration and complement the immediate altered absorption effect that likely explains kudzu’s rapid onset of action. They mention it helps with hangovers, sleep, and shoulder/neck pain. It also lowers the desire to drink a lot and helps them kill time. Some say it has helped them get sober for the first time in over 20 years. “There are anti-inflammatory properties in kudzu, which may help reduce inflammation in the body,” Beckerman says. Inflammation is not something to be take lightly as it can contribute to more serious issues like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and even cancer.
May reduce alcohol dependence
I did not feel more drunk than usual, but I definitely drank less. Overall, my drinking during that month declined by around 30-40%. Supported by Grant R01-AA10536 (SEL) from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Grant K05-DA00343 (SEL) from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, and P01-AT (DYWL) from the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. The authors thank Carol Buchanan, Ronna Shostak and Barbara Beake for administrative support during the conduct of this study. Data from the actiwatch device was the primary source for all analyses while the daily diary served as a back up to verify daily totals and in case of equipment failure. In addition, the diaries permitted the participants to enter additional data that could not be recorded on the watch.
Kudzu Root: Benefits, Uses, and Side Effects
This article examines the benefits, uses, and potential side effects of kudzu root. After one day of taking a menopausal med that contained kudzu my gums and tongue started swelling. By the third day of treatment my whole mouth and lips were sore and swollen with ulcers, so I discontinued the meds. In China, it has been used to treat alcoholism since 600AD, and Western medicine is starting to take notice of this herbal remedy.
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Research has found that kudzu can help improve insulin sensitivity, which can help regulate blood sugar levels. Additionally, kudzu may help reduce inflammation, which is often a contributing factor to the development of type 2 diabetes. Studies have shown that kudzu may work by increasing blood flow to the brain, reducing the desire to drink, and reducing the severity of hangovers. There isn’t much scientific evidence available on the dosing for kudzu root as a supplement. For this reason, it’s difficult to make recommendations for various uses. People often eat different parts of the plant raw, sautéed, deep-fried, baked, or jellied.
- This may be due to the isoflavones in kudzu, which can help regulate hormone levels.
- It’s no wonder that kudzu holds a prominent place in China’s official pharmacopoeia.
- When given equal amounts of alcohol, kudzu- and placebo-treated individuals respond similarly (Penetar et al., 2011).
- Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.
- Small studies in people have observed noteworthy improvements in these menopausal symptoms, among others, like vaginal dryness (9, 10).
- Of course, it is entirely possible that any of the above mechanisms may also develop with repeated administration and complement the immediate altered absorption effect that likely explains kudzu’s rapid onset of action.
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We previously demonstrated that this kudzu extract significantly reduced alcohol drinking in a group of heavy drinkers during one night of access to preferred brand of beer in a simulated natural environment (Lukas et al., 2005). The present study revealed that kudzu extract is also effective in heavy drinkers in their home, work and/or school environment. The study consisted of a 2-week baseline period, 4 weeks of medication (subjects were randomized to either kudzu extract or placebo treatments) and a 2-week follow up period. Regardless of the mechanism of action, the present finding that a modest, single dose of kudzu extract reduces binge drinking has profound implications as it offers a unique opportunity for early intervention for problem drinkers. As an herbal plant extract, kudzu can be made available without a prescription. While it does not completely eliminate drinking, it is clearly effective in significantly reducing intake, which offers individuals an opportunity to engage in more responsible drinking patterns.
It’s important to note that while licorice roots and kudzu root can aid in hangover recovery, moderation is always key. It’s best to drink responsibly and avoid excessive alcohol consumption. In conclusion, while kudzu shows promise as a natural remedy for alcoholism, more rigorous clinical studies are needed to determine its effectiveness. It is crucial for individuals struggling with alcohol addiction to seek professional help and consider evidence-based treatments.
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I took several capsules per day before drinking, and went through all of it in about one month. Urine kudzu recovery samples were qualitatively analyzed by HPLC for puerarin levels on a weekly basis starting on the second week of baseline and continuing through the two follow-up visits. Although blood samples were collected from all participants to examine the safety of kudzu, only the last 12 subjects had blood samples collected for quantitative analysis of puerarin levels. One popular way to use licorice roots for hangover recovery is by brewing licorice root tea.
