I did not know at the time that people also use kudzu to treat alcohol withdrawal symptoms; nor did I care, because I did not intend to quit at the time. Taurine is an amino acid known to lower levels of acetaldehyde—a toxic metabolite produced when your body breaks down alcohol. Chronic, heavy drinking can reduce taurine levels in the body, and adding it back in appears to help with withdrawal symptoms and detox. In one study, patients who took taurine supplements experienced fewer severe withdrawal symptoms, such as delirium and hallucinations. Ibogaine is a naturally occurring alkaloid extracted from the root of an African shrub .
For targeting alcohol dependence, studies have used dosages of 1.2 grams of kudzu root extract per day over 1 week, or a single dose of 2 grams before drinking alcohol, without noted side effects . The kudzu extract diadzein has been isolated as an aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH-2) inhibitor, which has been shown in animal models to reduce excessive drinking.
Potential downsides
Nor will it drastically enhance your quality of life after the first dose. However, if you want to cut down on drinking or detoxify your body during alcohol withdrawal, kudzu may be able to help. Currently, commonly prescribed anti-drinking drugs such as disulfiram , naltrexone , and acamprosate , cause several side effects. For example, drowsiness and headaches are common side effects of Antabuse. Studies of daidzin may lead to an anti-drinking drug for alcohol treatment that causes fewer side effects.
Kudzu extract has shown some promise in helping people avoid binge drinking. Binge drinking is when someone has more than four or five drinks in two hours. This article describes some natural treatments to support AUD treatment. It also explains why it’s important to find effective treatments. Whatever treatments you choose, make sure to discuss the benefits and risks with your healthcare team.
Kudzu Extract
One possibility is through the different isoflavones, which are biologically active molecules that can affect physiology, contained within the kudzu extract. Falcatum, administered orally to rats at a daily dose of 500 mg/kg for 3 days, normalized liver functions as determined by serum alkaline phosphatase levels in rats treated with carbon tetrachloride . Treatment of rats with saikosaponins 2 hours before treatment with D-galactosamine inhibited the increase in serum aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels produced by damage of liver tissues . Conversely, saikosaponins did not affect an increase in serum alanine aminotransferase and experimental cirrhosis in rats caused by carbon tetrachloride intoxication .
More recently, kudzu root has made its way to Western countries as an herbal supplement. Some research shows that milk thistle may help those looking to treat alcohol-related liver disease. It’s important to note that https://ecosoberhouse.com/ more studies are needed to confirm that the herb enhances liver health. Ashwagandha is sometimes used for alcohol withdrawal and cravings. In studies with alcohol-addicted mice, ashwagandha seemed to relieve anxiety.
Kudzu Recovery: My Experience With Kudzu
We recommend speaking with your doctor about how heavy drinking has impacted your body, and which supplements will be the most safe and useful for you as an individual. Other new habits, such as regular exercise, mindfulness practice, and a healthier diet, can all contribute to boosting your health in recovery. A pilot study exploring the effect of kudzu root on the drinking habits of patients with chronic alcoholism. The resultant call for adopting a zero tolerance policy for alcohol-impaired driving3 has necessitated seeking effective treatment strategies for patients with alcoholism. One component of such a strategy would be the development of a drug to decrease ethanol craving. Kudzu, administered as the root extract, may play an important role in this regard.
Can humans eat kudzu?
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. What's more, the kudzu plant leaves, vine tips, and purple flower blossoms are also edible.
The primary danger of these supplements in those with alcohol dependency is not necessarily knowing the drug—drug interaction potential or side effects. 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. The herb called the kudzu is a high climbing, coarse textured twining and trailing type of perennial vine found in parts of kudzu root for alcohol cravings Asia and naturalized elsewhere . Chinese traditional medicine makes use of the huge root that grows to the size of an adult human body-the kudzu called gégen in China, is a major source for many modern herbal products as well as traditional Chinese medications. 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. Herbal products are also made from the root of another related Asian species of kudzu, called Pueraria thomsonii.
Kudzu Recovery For Alcoholics: How It Works
Policosanol may interact with blood thinners and increase the risk of bleeding. Finding a quality product may be a challenge, since the Food and Drug Administration does not monitor dietary supplements. Bitter herbs have a long and successful tradition of use for a number of health purposes . Bitters have been used for centuries to improve digestion, and are still commonly used in many cuisines to be taken before meals to stimulate digestive powers.
Lukas SE, Penetar D, Berko J, Vicens L, Palmer C, Mallya G, Macklin EA, Lee DY-W. An extract of the Chinese herbal root kudzu reduces alcohol drinking by heavy drinkers in a naturalistic setting. However, it is now FDA-approved for the treatment of alcohol dependence and cravings. Naltrexone works on variousopioid receptorsin the brain to reduce the “reward” feeling that is created by alcohol consumption. Individuals taking naltrexone can still drink and become intoxicated, but they will not experience the pleasure and reward that alcohol provides, thus disincentivizing the consumption of alcohol. It has long been used as a traditional remedy for a variety of illnesses, including liver damage. Although research is ongoing, there’s some evidence that milk thistle can help reduce the symptoms of cirrhosis and chronic hepatitis. If you’re working on reducing your drinking, milk thistle can be one way to protect your liver from the damaging effects of alcohol.
