Kudzu Root: Benefits, Uses, and Side Effects
Second, there is an approved intravenous preparation of puerarin which is used in China to reduce myocardial oxygen consumption and improve cardiac microcirculation (Yue and Hu, 1996; Zhang et al., 2006). Vasodilation would also be expected to result in a mild reflex tachycardia and a corresponding increase in skin temperature due to greater tissue perfusion; both of these effects were observed in the present study. Significant alcohol dose effects were observed for ratings on all of the visual analog scales (Table 1). The 0.35 g/kg dose produced significant increases in ratings compared to placebo on all scales except clumsy, floating, muddled/confused, slurred speech, and uncomfortable. The 0.7 g/kg dose produced significant differences from the 0.35 g/kg dose on all scales except clumsy and nauseated.
Relative abundance (at phylum level)
Kudzu, also known as Pueraria Montana, is a climbing vine that belongs to the pea family. This invasive weed is native to East Asia, particularly China, Japan, and Korea, where it has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine. Reach out to healthcare providers, counselors, and support groups to develop a comprehensive treatment plan tailored to your needs. Remember that every individual’s journey to recovery is unique, and what works for one person may not work for another.
- And it’s this very aspect that has rekindled interest in the modern world, steering us towards understanding its potential in the battle against alcohol cravings.
- A standardized formulation of kudzu extract produced minimal side effects, was well-tolerated and resulted in a modest reduction in alcohol consumption in young non treatment-seeking heavy drinkers.
- Remember that every individual’s journey to recovery is unique, and what works for one person may not work for another.
- The BDI for the kudzu extract-treated participants was 1.78 ± 2.11 and 2.63 ± 2.50 at baseline and during treatment, respectively.
Effect of provision of non-alcoholic beverages on alcohol consumption: a randomized controlled study
As these effects were https://ecosoberhouse.com/ seen only after the high alcohol dose, it would appear that this is evidence for a dose-response type of relationship. In addition, and perhaps of greater significance, is the possibility that ethanol levels rose more quickly at the higher dose of alcohol (0.7 g/kg) following kudzu pretreatment compared to placebo pretreatment. One interpretation of this finding is that kudzu extract does not potentiate the intoxicating effects of alcohol, but only hastens the onset of action in a dose-response fashion. In our previous study we demonstrated that the same kudzu extract used in the present study significantly reduced beer consumption in binge-drinkers (Lukas et al., 2005). The significance of the effects on the early plasma ethanol levels and the effects on heart rate and skin temperature offer some insight to the potential mechanism of action of kudzu extract in that study.
Shop for kudzu root products online
- Persons who responded to these advertisements were given a brief telephone screen, and invited to the laboratory for further evaluations.
- Among these, the Kudzu Root stands out not just for its medicinal virtues but also for its intriguing relationship with cultures and societies.
- The sample size was relatively small; however, a repeated measures, crossover design was used with participants as their own control receiving multiple pretreatments, each with placebo and alcohol challenges.
- As we delve deeper into the botanical intricacies of the Kudzu Root, it becomes abundantly clear that nature is an alchemist of unparalleled prowess.
- The reductions in drinking by kudzu extract were observed by the second week of treatment and persisted through the 4th week of treatment.
Participants continued to take their medication through the morning of day 9 prior to the alcohol drink challenge. Following the first set of challenge sessions, there was a 1 month ‘washout’ period during which no medication was taken. This washout period provided ample time to eliminate pharmacodynamic interactions between kudzu and placebo treatment conditions. After the one-month washout, a second period of treatment and two drinking challenge days was conducted identical to the first treatment period.
Human Clinical Trials
Some studies had small sample sizes, which makes it challenging to generalize findings to larger populations. Additionally, the diversity in participants (in terms of age, gender, ethnicity, and drinking habits) was often limited. As we peel back the layers of time, it becomes evident that certain plants have played pivotal roles in shaping human health and wellness. Among these, the Kudzu Root stands out not just for its medicinal virtues but also for its intriguing relationship with cultures and societies. Long before it made its way into contemporary conversations, Kudzu Root had cemented its place in traditional Chinese medicine. Known as “Ge Gen” in Mandarin, this root was believed to possess a myriad of healing properties.
But what if nature, in its abundant wisdom, offered us a potential remedy rooted in ancient traditions? Enter Kudzu Root — a climbing vine native to Asia and a staple in traditional Chinese medicine. Over the years, this unassuming plant has emerged from the annals of age-old remedies to the limelight of scientific exploration, all due to its purported ability to temper the call of alcohol. Giving a Kudzu root extract twice daily failed to reduce craving and sobriety scores. As a result, the researchers gave compounds from Kudzu root to the special lab rats.
- Interstimulus intervals (ISI) vary between 1, 2, and 4 seconds with a display time of 250 milliseconds.
- This was demonstrated in our previous study (Penetar et al., 2011) where pharmacokinetic parameters such as peak concentration and elimination time were not affected by kudzu.
For instance, it may reduce the effectiveness of birth control due to its estrogenic effects (8, 17). While kudzu root may offer a few specific benefits, there kudzu and alcohol are also some potential downsides to consider. Some health companies sell the kudzu root species Pueraria mirifica as a supplement for menopausal and postmenopausal women. Kudzu root is rich in antioxidants, compounds that protect cells from oxidative stress that can lead to disease. The isoflavone puerarin is the most abundant antioxidant compound in the kudzu vine (6). People often eat different parts of the plant raw, sautéed, deep-fried, baked, or jellied.
- Scientists need to do more research on the safe and effective dosages of kudzu root for various uses.
- Assessments were performed after completion of the questionnaires at 30, 45, and 60 minutes after start of alcohol administration; after 1 hour, stance stability was assessed every 30 minutes until the end of the session at 3 hours.
- The NIAAA and NCCAM had no further role in the study design; in the collection, analysis and interpretation of data; in the writing of the report; or in the decision to submit the paper for publication.
- Of course, it’s up to the individual to ensure that he or she doesn’t use this as an excuse to fall off the wagon.
Increased consecutive days of abstinence is a desirable outcome of an alcohol treatment program, especially during the initial phases of treatment (Washton and Zweben, 2006). The fact that kudzu extract nearly doubled the number of consecutive days that individuals maintained abstinence suggests that it may be a useful adjunct during the early weeks of treatment. The study consisted of a 2-week baseline period, 4 weeks of medication (subjects were randomized to either kudzu extract or placebo treatments) drug addiction treatment and a 2-week follow up period. Medication adherence was excellent and there were no adverse events, changes in vital signs, blood chemistry, renal or liver function. Adding flavonoid-rich kudzu vine (Pueraria lobata) meal to animal feed can improve intestinal microflora.
1 Alcohol Consumption
The relative abundance of Lachnospira increase after increasing proportions of kudzu vine meal. Acetic acid, Propionic acid and Total VFAs in the caecum are the highest in group B. Alcoholic drinks were made by mixing a name brand vodka (80 proof) with chilled orange juice. Volumes were individually adjusted to deliver a dose of either 0.35 or 0.70 g/kg in 400 ml of total volume.
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