Puerarin, one of the most abundant isoflavones Twelve-step program in kudzu root extracts, is a known vasodilator and is approved for such use in China following coronary infarction and stroke (Wu et al., 2014). 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. 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. Medication adherence was excellent and there were no adverse events, changes in vital signs, blood chemistry, renal or liver function. 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.
Kudzu and Menopausal Symptoms
Free radicals are molecules that can damage cells, leading to a range of health issues. There are no studies showing that Kudzu can serve as a morning-after potion for reducing hangovers. Dr. Neil McGregor has warned that the active components of Kudzu have been linked to cancer. Researcher’s evidence about Kudzu’s effectiveness is mixed and much more research is needed. Its name in Chinese, loosely translated, means “drunkenness dispeller.” The tea is often used to try to sober up after drinking and to relieve hangovers. None of the information nor products featured on bedlamite.co are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
2.1 Blood Alcohol Levels
The impact of excessive alcohol consumption results in increased healthcare costs, loss of productivity, alcohol-related crime (including assault and sexual abuse), and motor vehicle accidents. Kudzu root has been given the honor of helping reduce the painful effects of a hangover, though it seems that if overused, it could be more harmful than good. It does this by raising the alcohol levels so the person using it gets the effect of alcohol without drinking as much.
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Medication adherence was measured using ultraviolet (UV) light to detect riboflavin in centrifuged urine samples (Del Boca et al., 1996) that were collected twice a week. Endogenous levels of riboflavin are too low to fluoresce and participants were instructed to avoid multivitamin complexes while participating in the study. Because riboflavin is cleared from the body quickly, fluorescing urine indicated compliance in the past 18–24 hours. In addition, participants reported pill taking by checking time-of-day boxes on daily diaries and by entries on the wrist actigraphy watches.
The scale was connected to a computer in an adjacent room that ran a customized program that sampled the scale at 5 Hz and kudzu supplement alcohol detected any weight changes that exceeded 1 gm. Additional details and photos of the device can be found in Lukas et al. (2005). While kudzu root has a long history in traditional Chinese medicine, people most often use it to help treat alcohol dependence. Lukas and Lee applied for, and were granted, a patent for kudzu extract to treat alcohol abuse and dependence. McLean Hospital has licensed the production of kudzu extract (NPI-031) to Natural Pharmacie International (NPI), Inc. and they are marketing it as Alkontrol-Herbal®.
A standardized kudzu extract (NPI- reduces alcohol consumption in nontreatment-seeking male heavy drinkers
- Using the continuous measure of alcohol consumption, drinking was quantified using a number of different variables as noted above.
- Rooke et al., (2000) has suggested that puerarin may block biogenic amine metabolic pathways, resulting in an alteration in central reward pathways.
- The information in our articles is NOT intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice.
- Urine 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.
The maximal possible observations were based on the number of side effect categories that were recorded, multiplied by the number of study days in each phase, which was then multiplied by the number of subjects participating https://ecosoberhouse.com/ in each study phase. The overall incidence of side effects (e.g., headaches, shakes, chills, nausea, etc.) in both groups ranged between 1.7 and 3%. None of the study participants reported any insomnia, sedation, dizziness, blurred vision, tinnitus, or altered libido. 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.