Alcoholism is a complex condition, and its treatment should not be taken lightly. While natural remedies like kudzu show promise, they are not a standalone solution. A comprehensive approach that includes medical supervision, counseling, and support is essential for addressing alcoholism effectively. 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.

• Reach out to healthcare providers, counselors, and support groups to develop a comprehensive treatment plan tailored to your needs.
• The number of participants who drank each available beer during the 1.5 hour drinking session following administration of placebo or kudzu.
• As a practicing physician, Josh helps manage the NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue addiction medicine clinic in adult primary care.
• If you can reduce anxiety in other ways, you might rely less on alcohol as a coping mechanism.
• Research has found that kudzu can help reduce hot flashes and night sweats, as well as improve sleep quality.
• 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.

Other Health Benefits of Kudzu Extract

It is important to consult with a healthcare professional before taking kudzu, especially if you are taking other medications kudzu and alcohol or have underlying health conditions. Kudzu root may also be helpful for women experiencing menopausal symptoms. Research has found that kudzu can help reduce hot flashes and night sweats, as well as improve sleep quality.

Turning Off Cravings for Alcohol?

Remember that it’s not a miracle product, and that to reduce anxiety it should be combined with psychotherapy, diet therapy and physical exercise. Kudzu extracts like puerarin have been looked at for their potential to modulate the release of dopamine in certain brain regions. And while it did contain the isoflavones that are thought to be the active ingredients, our volunteers had to take five pills each to achieve the desired level of 500mg. However, there are no kudzu products on the market in the UK carrying the THR mark. Kudzu, whose scientific name is Pueraria mirfica, is a vine used in Chinese medicine for a variety of health promoting purposes.

7 Desire for Alcohol

“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. It is usually treated with over-the-counter medications, but kudzu might be a more natural option. According to a study conducted by Overstreet 6, kudzu extract has a mild anxiolytic that helps to reduce anxiety linked to the withdrawal from Sobriety alcohol or tobacco. One theory for kudzu’s effectiveness is the high concentration of isoflavones it contains. Isoflavones increase blood flow to the brain, causing alcohol or nicotine to reach the nervous system faster.

• Disulfiram is a pill that causes unpleasant side effects when combined with alcohol.
• Giving a Kudzu root extract twice daily failed to reduce craving and sobriety scores.
• The present study revealed that kudzu extract is also effective in heavy drinkers in their home, work and/or school environment.

It’s important to note that the standardized content of the important active compounds, primarily puerarin, varies among different products. Kudzu extracts may interact with GABA receptors and enhance the inhibitory effects of GABA. The modulation of this system could reduce alcohol cravings or help treat alcohol abuse by lowering anxiety levels and stress that are often triggers to drink. 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. During the baseline session, the placebo-randomized group consumed 2.7 ± 0.78 beers before treatment and increased consumption to 3.4 ± 1.1 beers after treatment.

FAQ About Alcohol Cravings

Kudzu may also help reduce the risk of blood clots, which can lead to heart attacks and strokes. We’re empowering you to make wise decisions about your own health, by providing you with essential health information about both medical and alternative treatment options. Dr. Neil McGregor has warned that the active components of Kudzu have been linked to cancer. In fact, traditional Chinese medicine has used the plant for over 2,500 years.