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It could reduce voluntary alcohol intake in Marchigian Sardinian alcohol-preferring (msP) rats and act synergistically with opioid receptor antagonists to further reduce alcohol consumption. The effect on alcohol intake of the combined treatment remained stable during the 12 days of chronic treatment. The food intake was slightly reduced, while no change on body weight, was observed compared with the control.
- Previous work in this laboratory on the stance stability test has indicated that kudzu alone does not alter this behavior (unpublished results).
- “It is also possible that there is another, as yet undiscovered compound in the mixture that accounts for the effects. Thus, the mechanism of action of the kudzu extract remains unknown.”
- Kudzu is an invasive weed that has also been used to treat alcoholism for well over one thousand years.
- In retrospect, my experience demonstrates the utility of kudzu for alcoholism.
Anti-inflammatory effects
“Therefore, the next step in the research was to assess the effects of kudzu extract on different physical, behavioral and cognitive features in humans.” The ginger essential oil and citral exhibited hepatoprotective activity against AFLD in mice. The amounts of metabolites in serum such as d-glucurono-6,3-lactone, glycerol-3-phosphate, pyruvic acid, lithocholic acid, 2-pyrocatechuic acid, and prostaglandin El increased after alcohol administration, but the levels were recovered in treatment groups 80. Therefore, ginger could be used as a candidate to the prevention and treatment of hangover and organ damages induced by overconsumption of alcohol through its antioxidant action. The health effects of drinking depend on the quantity and pattern of alcohol consumption.
In conclusion, Hovenia dulcis could be a therapeutic candidate for alcohol-induced liver injury and alcohol use disorders. In spite of the compelling preclinical and clinical evidence of its efficacy, the precise mechanism of action of kudzu in reducing alcohol consumption is not currently known. Prior studies of its antidipsotropic effect have focused on taste-aversion, alterations in alcohol metabolism or effects on neurotransmitters.
Morning and evening sets of capsules also contained a 25 mg tablet of riboflavin (vitamin B2) and the afternoon sets contained an additional placebo capsule, in addition to the two kudzu extract capsules, in order to maintain a uniform number (3) of capsules. Capsule sets were individually packaged in small envelopes and marked on the outside with date and time of day to be consumed. 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.
AlcoholAwareness.org provides a platform where you can access various free resources, including articles, self-assessment tools, and information about local support groups and treatment centers. These resources can be instrumental in guiding you toward effective strategies for overcoming alcoholism. Moreover, kudzu might assist with the prevention of relapses by supporting the stabilization of neurotransmitter levels in the brain. However, it is essential to remember that kudzu alone is not a panacea for alcoholism. Dizziness A feeling of dizziness or lightheadedness may occur in some cases.It’s important to remember that side effects can vary from person to person. If you experience any adverse reactions while using kudzu, consult your healthcare provider promptly.
Proven Remedies to Help Ease Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms
It is recommended that individuals interested in trying kudzu consult a healthcare provider before starting supplementation—especially if they have underlying health conditions or are taking other medications—to avoid potential interactions. However, some people may experience mild side effects such as nausea, dizziness, and headache. It is important to consult with a healthcare professional before taking kudzu, especially if you are taking other medications or have underlying health conditions. 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. Studies have shown that kudzu may work by increasing blood flow to the brain, reducing the desire to drink, and reducing the severity of hangovers. Next, Dr. Lee contacted researchers at the Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies.
The big blood pressure experiment
Seventeen men (21–33 years) who reported drinking 27.6 ± 6.5 drinks/week with a diagnosis of alcohol abuse/dependence took either kudzu extract (250 mg isoflavones, t.i.d.) or matched placebo on a daily basis. They reported alcohol consumption and desire to use alcohol using a wrist actigraphy device; twice weekly laboratory visits were scheduled to monitor medication adherence and adverse events. Any effect kudzu root extract may have on sleep is an important consideration for administration of this preparation as a potential medication to treat alcohol dependence. This double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial tested the effects of kudzu root extract on the sleep/wake cycles of a population who continued to drink in their normal pattern, and thus were not Oxford House experiencing withdrawal-related sleep disturbances. These participants were moderate drinkers and were not attempting to decrease alcohol intake, thus enabling assessment of the impact of kudzu root extract alone on sleep quality and quantity. Hovenia is listed among the premier anti-alcohol intoxication herbal medicines in the Compendium of Materia Medica.
Animal and in vitro data
- These results indicated that the inhibitory effects of HPE on alcohol intake are not mediated by GABA agonist actions 106,107.
- It has been suggested that kudzu may be effective in reducing alcohol consumption, alcohol cravings, and withdrawal symptoms in individuals with alcohol use disorders.
- Continuous alcohol consumption may result in lethargy, confusion, amnesia, loss of sensation, difficulty in breathing, and death13.
- It’s advisable to use Kudzu for shorter durations or as recommended by a healthcare provider.
- There are data to suggest that many of these effects may be due, at least in part, to the primary alcohol metabolite, acetaldehyde (Kim et al., 2009).
- This article examines the benefits, uses, and potential side effects of kudzu root.
These data add to the mounting clinical evidence that kudzu extract may be a safe and effective adjunctive pharmacotherapy for alcohol abuse and dependence. Seeds of fenugreek (Trigonela foenum-graecum) are reported to possess hepatoprotective activity. The aqueous extract of fenugreek seeds offers a striking protection against alcohol toxicity. Fenugreek seed polyphenolic extract (FPEt) acted as a protective agent against alcohol-induced hepatocyte abnormalities. The study showed that FPEt ameliorated the pathological liver changes and changed protein expression in Chang liver cells as well as improved the levels of antioxidant enzymes.
This sped up digestion might actually lessen the compensating impacts of liquor and impact drinking patterns. Kudzu may interact with certain medications, including blood-thinning drugs, anticoagulants, and medications that affect blood sugar levels. It’s crucial to consult with a healthcare provider before using Kudzu, especially if you are taking prescription medications. ‘Perfectly safe’In 2003, David Overstreet and other scientists found the herb to be effective in reducing alcohol intake on rats. Lukas was not certain why but speculated that kudzu increases blood alcohol levels and speeds up its effects. Kudzu, an ever-expanding plant considered a pest in much of the South, appears to contain a compound that can be effective in reducing alcohol intake among humans.
Health News
The PKCepsilon phosphorylation of γ2 regulates the response of GABAARs to specific allosteric modulators, and in particular, PKCepsilon inhibition renders these receptors sensitive to low concentrations of EtOH84. Thus, alcohol consumption at a social level can target GABAAR-mediated extrasynaptic inhibition; social drinking also appears to involve the mesolimbic dopamine system. “Recently, preclinical studies with animals have shown reductions in alcohol consumption when treated with isoflavones contained in the kudzu root,” said Penetar.
Scott E Lukas, Ph.D.
Scutellariae Radix, the root of Scutellaria baicalensis, is a Chinese herb widely used for the treatment of liver disease and cancer, as well as improving immune capacity 121. Long-term liver damage and the wound-healing process resulted in liver fibrosis, in which the hepatic stellate cell (HSC) played a key role during fibrogenesis. The extract of Scutellaria baicalensis could prevent hepatic fibrosis by promoting ERK-p53 pathways, which may in turn cause G2/M cell cycle arrest and activate the Caspase system, finally resulting in apoptosis of HSC-T6 cells 122. As a result, Scutellaria baicalensis might be beneficial for the amelioration of liver fibrosis. Pharmacokinetic results were obtained using PK Solutions 2.0 (Summit Research Services, Montrose, CO; ).
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. After abstinence from alcohol, the downregulation of GABAARs contributes to many of the symptoms of AWS.