Kudzu For Alcohol Addiction

Kudzu is a fast growing vine that is getting a lot of interest for it’s potential to help people reduce their alcohol consumption. Recently, there has been growing curiosity about Kudzu for alcohol addiction. Researchers are interested in how it might support those trying to cut back.

While sometimes seen as a noxious weed, the Kudzu plant has a long history of use in traditional medicine for helping people reduce their desire to drink alcohol. For those struggling, kudzu for alcohol addiction is becoming a topic of interest in holistic circles.

This ancient remedy is seeing a resurgence in interest and is becoming increasingly popular. Furthermore, many people are now looking into Kudzu for alcohol addiction as a modern solution rooted in tradition.

What is Kudzu and where does it come from?

Kudzu is native to East Asia where it has been grown for many centuries. Interestingly, its use for alcohol addiction has long been a part of traditional practices.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) uses Kudzu, known in East Asia at Gegen, and it’s use can be traced back over 1800 years. It has been used to treat dysentery, fever and muscle pain.

Aside from these distressing conditions, Gegen/Kudzu has also been used in TCM to help people with alcohol problems. Especially for those dealing with alcohol addiction who seek out Kudzu as a natural remedy, it is seen as helpful.

It has been used to help people with hangovers as well as reducing drinking behaviours. This use by traditional medicine practitioners in East Asia has sparked the interest of traditional medicine in the west. Notably, the topic of kudzu for alcohol addiction is increasingly being researched worldwide.

The Science Behind Kudzu

Kudzu contains active compounds called isoflavones. These are highly concentrated in the root extract, which has been investigated for alcohol addiction by researchers studying Kudzu’s effects.

Recently, there has been research into three compounds of Kudzu: Puerarinm, Daidzin and Daidzenin. These are known to have an effect of the way the body processes alcohol by disrupting enzymes.

When you drink alcohol, the liver breaks it down into a chemical called acetaldehyde. This is the chemical that causes hangover symptoms such as nausea and flushing.

Acetaldehyde is then converted into a harmless material. Research suggests that it is the Daidzin that helps to neutralise the acetaldehyde. This relates to the therapeutic value of Kudzu for alcohol addiction.

The theory is that , by interfering with this enzyme, Kudzu increases a much faster build up of acetaldehyde in the blood. When this happens, a person will start to feel physically unwell. This reaction occurs even if they only drink a small amount of alcohol.

This uncomfortable feeling acts as a natural deterrent to drinking alcohol, and for some, the use of Kudzu for alcohol addiction may offer a helpful strategy.

One of the other elements of Kudzu, Puerarin, is thought to interact with the feel good chemicals released when you drink alcohol by restricting them.

This means that the normal euphoria and relaxation you feel when you drink is diminished. This is another way Kudzu for alcohol addiction is being studied.

Current Scientific Research

Research into the effects of Kudzu has moved from animal modelling to human clinical trials. These have focused on measurable changes in people’s drinking habits. Moreover, kudzu for alcohol addiction is being evaluated for its impact on heavy drinkers.

Double blind trials (where half the subject group take a placebo and the other the real thing but neither know which is which) have shown that Kudzu can be effective in reducing alcohol consumption. This is promising for those interested in Kudzu for alcohol addiction.

One trial which involved heavy drinkers have shown a reduction in alcohol consumption by 22%. This suggests Kudzu may play a useful role for alcohol addiction treatment options.

Binge drinking

Recent research has shown that those who receive a single dose of Kudzu, before they start drinking, consumed nearly half the amount of alcohol they normally would. Those taking part also drank more slowly. As a result, this evidence shows that using Kudzu for alcohol addiction may affect binge drinking patterns.

The research may suggest that Kudzu can alter the perception of when people feel they have had enough to drink. This is though to be one of the reasons why people drink less when they take Kudzu.

Safety

Kudzu is believed to be reasonably safe for those seeking alternative approaches to alcohol addiction.

The clinical studies that have been conducted, so far, have shown that there are minimal side effects with Kudzu. The most commonly observed reactions are occasional allergic reactions and mild stomach upset. Importantly, people considering kudzu for alcohol addiction should monitor for any adverse symptoms.

There are no long term studies, to date. However, ongoing research aims to clarify safety for Kudzu as a remedy for alcohol addiction.

As with all alternative/complimentary treatments there can be interactions with prescription medication. In particular, it is advisable to consult your healthcare provider regarding medication interactions.

Medication that is metabolized by the liver is known to be affected by Kudzu as are blood thinning medications. Anyone considering using Kudzu must inform their clinician: First, especially if using Kudzu for alcohol addiction alongside other treatments.

What Kudzu won’t do

Kudzu has it’s uses but there are things it can not do and things you should not try to do with it.

Kudzu is not a detox medication. You can not detox using Kudzu. If you experience alcohol withdrawal because you have stopped drinking (or reduced too quickly) you need a medically supervised detox with the appropriate medication in the appropriate environment: Rehab. And while Kudzu for alcohol addiction may be discussed as a supportive tool, it is not a replacement for proper medical care.

Using Kudzu, after rehab, to stay abstinent won’t work. Its use has only been shown to be effective if you are drinking moderate amounts and are not systemically dependent. Therefore, kudzu for alcohol addiction must be approached realistically within proper context.

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