Known as “Ge Gen” in Mandarin, this root was believed to possess a myriad of healing properties. Today, kudzu is used to treat alcoholism and to reduce symptoms of alcohol hangover, including headache, upset stomach, dizziness, and vomiting. Great progress in the study of traditional herbal medicines has been made, especially the potential therapeutics for anti-alcohol abuse. This progress not only includes new experimental findings but also demonstrates a method to utilize the treasure of traditional Eastern medications. Lukas was not certain why but speculated that kudzu increases blood alcohol levels and speeds up its effects. Kudzu possesses the ability of ameliorating hangover symptoms and has been used for the treatment of chronic alcoholic liver injury in traditional Chinese medicine for a long time.

Potential Benefits of Kudzu Root Extract

Lee et al. 91 investigated the effects of red ginseng on relieving alcohol and hangover symptoms in 25 healthy men in a randomized crossover study. After ginseng intervention, the blood alcohol levels and expiratory air-alcohol levels decreased and acetaldehyde levels slightly increased compared with the control. In another https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/cannabinoid-hyperemesis-syndrome-what-is-chs/ study, ginsenoside-free fraction from steam-dried ginseng berries have the abilities of promoting alcohol metabolism and scavenging free radicals in vitro and in vivo by stimulating primary enzymes (ADH, ALDH CYP2E1, and catalase).

Can you be ‘fat’ and still healthy?

• People often eat different parts of the plant raw, sautéed, deep-fried, baked, or jellied.
• The way it appears to work is that the isoflavones speed up the effect of alcohol on the brain, alerting us to slow down.
• Several human trials have been conducted on Kudzu Root Extract, varying in design.
• After training, flies preferred the odor that had been paired with the high level of EtOH.
• The plant’s roots, which are large and starchy, contribute to its ability to spread and thrive in diverse soil conditions.

Admittedly, the magnitude of the change in plasma ethanol levels in the present study is modest and may not be biologically significant, in spite of the observed statistical significance. We are currently engaged in studies employing proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) to directly measure whether kudzu extract alters the rate and concentration of alcohol that actually enters the human brain. Studies such as this will likely yield more information on how kudzu extract drug addiction treatment reduces alcohol consumption.

Kudzu extract can reduce alcohol intake in humans

Even if the original plant has impressive health-giving properties, and many of our more effective medicines are derived from plants, that doesn’t mean that supplements based on those plants will be effective. They rarely capture the complexity of a plant and there is so little regulation of the market that you literally don’t know what you are buying. Curiously, kudzu appears to have this effect AND prevent people from becoming intoxicated with alcohol or nicotine more quickly.

Kudzu and withdrawal symptoms

• There are suggestions that this compound might inhibit the craving for alcohol, although the exact mechanism remains a subject of research.
• 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.
• Naltrexone has some side effects, including the development of withdrawal symptoms, nausea, dysphoria, and fatigue128,129,130.
• It modulates the dopamine, GABA and serotonin systems, diminishing the rewarding and reinforcing effects of alcohol and reducing the desire to drink.
• At the appropriate time, participants were instructed to consume one cup at a time over a 15-minute period; participants had 5 minutes to consume the contents of each cup.

This aspect also requires more research into its use as a supplement, as the fact that symptoms of intoxication emerge faster offers an effective way of controlling alcohol and nicotine consumption. A single dose of 2 grams has also been taken before a drinking episode and has shown mild to moderate improvement in binge drinkers. If you struggle with alcoholism (or another substance use disorder), you may currently be on the path to treatment. While this traditionally kudzu and alcohol looks like therapies, medication, and other programs, some seek natural alternatives. Taking kudzu along with diabetes medications might cause your blood sugar to go too low. Alcohol is removed from the body primarily through metabolism in the liver.