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. Salvianolic acid B (SalB) is an important bioactive component separated from the Salvia miltiorrhiza, which could attenuate acute alcohol-induced hepatocyte apoptosis in rats through SIRT1-mediated deacetylation of p53 pathway. Pretreatment with SalB significantly reduced alcohol-induced elevation in aminotransferase activities, decreased hepatotoxic cytokine levels such as interleukin-6 (IL-6), and increased the antioxidant enzyme activity. Therefore, Salvia miltiorrhiza might be a potential candidate for treating alcohol use disorder through reducing alcohol intake and preventing relapse, and protecting from alcohol induced liver damages through its anti-inflammatory activities. The structures of miltirone, salvianolic acid B and cryptotanshinone are shown in Figure 3.

Are there natural alternatives to HRT?

We previously demonstrated that short-term treatment with a standardized kudzu extract (NPI-031) reduced alcohol drinking by men and women in a natural setting. The present study was conducted in nontreatment-seeking heavy drinkers to assess the safety and efficacy of 4 weeks of kudzu extract in an outpatient setting. We employed two different biochemical methods (urinary riboflavin and plasma puerarin levels), to monitor medication adherence. The lack of side effects after four weeks of treatment with both placebo and kudzu extract is likely one of the major reasons for the high rate of medication adherence.

Can I avoid, or treat, arthritis?

Moreover, ginseng had protective effects from alcohol-induced gastric damages in rats. Significant induction of cytoprotective heat-shock proteins HSP27 and HSP70 was found in the ginseng-administrated rats, which suggested that the restoration of these proteins might contribute to preventing alcohol-induced gastric injuries 96. Therefore, red ginseng could be used as potential treatment of hangover and alcohol-induced reproductive and gastric toxicity due to its antioxidant activity. Alcoholic beverages such as beer, wine and spirits are widely consumed around the world. However, alcohol and its metabolite acetaldehyde are toxic and harmful to human beings. Chronic alcohol use disorder or occasional binge drinking can cause a wide range of health problems, such as hangover, liver damage and cancer.

Does Kudzu Root Really Work? Here’s What We Know

• Taking kudzu along with birth control pills might decrease the effectiveness of birth control pills.
• More recently a study has tested the efficacy of a kudzu extract in a group of “heavy” alcohol drinkers, treated with either placebo or a kudzu extract (500 mg three times daily for 7 days) (Lukas et al. 2005).

It contains several active isoflavones, which are natural plant chemicals with antioxidant effects. This compound has a positive effect on the central nervous system and the brain. This information relates to an herbal, vitamin, mineral or other dietary supplement. This product has not been reviewed by the FDA to determine whether it is safe or effective and is not subject to the quality standards and safety information collection standards that are applicable to most prescription drugs. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/xanax-addiction-signs-symptoms-and-treatment/ take this product. This information does not endorse this product as safe, effective, or approved for treating any patient or health condition.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as hydrogen peroxide and superoxide ions, generated by CYP2E1 are contributors to the pro-inflammatory profile of alcohol-related liver damage 24,25. kudzu extract for alcoholism Alcohol consumption disturbs the balance between the pro- and anti-oxidant systems of the organism, so as to cause oxidative stress 26. Free radicals or reactive oxygen species attack fats and proteins and rapidly enter cell membranes causing damage to the membrane, which leads to alcohol-induced oxidative tissue injuries. Therefore, effective antioxidant and anti-inflammatory drugs or foods might be useful for alleviating the harmful health consequences of excessive alcohol consumption 27,28,29,30. While kudzu root has a long history in traditional Chinese medicine, people most often use it to help treat alcohol dependence.

In the future, more bioactive compounds in plants (especially medicinal plants, fruits and vegetables) should be separated and identified, and the mechanisms of action should be studied further. It is important to place the magnitude of the effects of kudzu extract on alcohol drinking in context. Alcohol drinking was not completely eliminated by kudzu extract in the present study, but was reduced from baseline drinking by an average of 45% over the four weeks of treatment. From a harm reduction perspective, kudzu extract results in a desirable outcome for a population of heavy drinkers, especially when one considers the other important finding of the present study—kudzu extract was without any adverse events and minimal side effects. We recently demonstrated that kudzu extract does not potentiate the intoxicating effects of alcohol (Penetar et al., 2010) and it does not interfere with sleep wake activity (Bracken et al., 2011).

KUDZU – Uses, Side Effects, and More

These results provide further evidence that kudzu root extract is likely to be safe for treatment for alcohol dependence. These phytochemicals can help fight disease caused by inflammation, treat alcoholism, reduce blood pressure, fight the flu, reduce symptoms of menopause and more. Kudzu root gets some serious rep’ for helping folks ease off of the booze. One small study looking at the effects of kudzu in a group of men that reported drinking between 22 and 35 drinks per week shows promising results.