What Is Kudzu Root? Health Benefits, Side Effects and Risks

From improving heart health and regulating blood sugar levels to reducing inflammation and menopausal symptoms, kudzu may be a useful addition to a healthy lifestyle. However, more research is needed to fully understand the effects of kudzu on the body. First, kudzu extract causes vasodilation in rat artery tissue (Yan et al., 2009; Yeung et al., 2006) and in human vascular tissue (Tam et al., 2009). 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. Drinking data were collected using a small wristwatch-like device (ActiWatch® Score, MiniMitter Co., OR) and daily diaries.

Bacterial metabolites of diet-derived lignans and isoflavones inversely associate with asthma and wheezing

Understanding the effects of alcohol on the brain leading to AUD is essential to determine the direction for anti-AUD drug development. Extracts of the kudzu plant are best known for their ability to suppress alcohol intake or alter alcohol effects by laboratory animals (Heyman et al., 1996; Keung and Vallee, 1993b; Keung, 2003; Overstreet et al., 1996; Rezvani et al., 2003; Benlhabib et al., 2004). The degree of reduction is often as high as 50% and the effects appeared within one to two days of treatment. Regardless of the actual mechanism of action, it is widely accepted that the isoflavones in kudzu are effective in reducing alcohol intake in a number of mammalian species. This is the first demonstration that a single dose of kudzu extract quickly reduces alcohol consumption in a binge drinking paradigm. These data add to the mounting clinical evidence that kudzu extract may be a safe and effective adjunctive pharmacotherapy for alcohol abuse and dependence.

CNS effects

• Prior studies of its antidipsotropic effect have focused on taste-aversion, alterations in alcohol metabolism or effects on neurotransmitters.
• Alcohol consumption has profound effects on brain function and behavior10.
• While this effect may benefit individuals with diabetes, it can be problematic for those without diabetes.

A relapse may be due to internal stimuli of the body, such as mood changes, anxiety, or for reducing or stopping AWS; it also may be due to external stimuli, such as the observance of social drinking or bottles of the addict’s preferred alcoholic beverage. Regardless of the perspective, the role of alcohol on the human brain cannot be ignored, given the many neuropharmacological and psychological actions of ethanol (EtOH), including its intoxicating, sedative, anxiolytic, reinforcing, and addictive properties11,12. The rates of alcohol drinking during follow-up phase were also reduced compared to baseline in both the kudzu- and placebo-treated groups.

What should I not eat or drink when I’m taking medication?

A growing number of double-blind, peer-reviewed studies have confirmed the effectiveness of using kudzu for alcoholism. Early research focused on rats with good results, which were later replicated with human subjects. The kudzu root may interact with certain medications or pose other health risks for certain people. Therefore, it’s always best to consult your healthcare provider before taking it. Kudzu root may increase the risk of liver injury or interact with certain medications, like birth control. Anecdotal sources say it may also be harmful to take with medications for diabetes or blood clotting.

• Speak with your doctor before using kudzu root if you have breast cancer, uterine fibroids, hormone-sensitive conditions, diabetes, heart disease, or take medications or herbs.
• A total of 21 adult males (17 Caucasian, 1 African American, 2 Hispanic, 1 Middle Eastern; mean age 23.8 ± 3.46 years, range 21–33) were recruited through advertisements in local and college newspapers and flyers posted in the Boston area.
• BZs are usually not prescribed for more than 2 weeks or administered for more than 3 nights per week due to tolerance114,115 and other side effects.
• When it’s raw, kudzu root looks like other root tubers (think yams or ginger).
• In heavy drinkers, data suggest kudzu may be a useful adjunct to reduce alcohol intake (9) (19) (23).
• Drinking data were collected using a small wristwatch-like device (ActiWatch® Score, MiniMitter Co., OR) and daily diaries.

Development and initial validation of a measure of drinking urges in abstinent alcoholics

Because human and animal studies suggest some estrogenic effects (5) (10) (11), individuals with hormone-sensitive cancers and those taking tamoxifen should avoid kudzu. Because animal and human studies suggest some estrogenic effects, individuals with hormone-sensitive cancers and those taking tamoxifen should avoid kudzu. Kudzu is popular as an agent for alcoholism and hangovers as noted in the Chinese Pharmacopeia. One ideal property of therapeutic drugs for AUD is that the active ingredient acts on receptors directly targeted by alcohol to prevent interactions of these receptors with alcohol.

After the first session, some subjects received capsules of kudzu, others a placebo. 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. Tell your healthcare providers about any dietary supplements you’re taking, such as herbs, vitamins, minerals, and natural or home remedies. The utility and effectiveness of disulfiram are considered limited because compliance is generally poor when it is given to patients to take at their own discretion141.

Side/adverse effects also were tracked on a daily basis by entries in their diaries; items addressed a wide range of somatic complaints. The ability of puerarin and related isoflavones to facilitate alcohol’s entry into the brain has not been systematically studied. For this mechanism to be plausible, the more rapid penetration of alcohol into the brain would have to trigger a satiety mechanism rather quickly such that the desire for the next drink is delayed—thus interrupting a binge episode. This is precisely what was observed in the present study as kudzu’s effects were evident after a single dose within a few hours of administration. Of course, it is entirely possible that any of the above mechanisms may also develop with repeated administration and complement the immediate altered absorption effect that likely explains kudzu’s rapid onset of action.

Kudzu root: traditional uses and potential medicinal benefits in diabetes and cardiovascular diseases

Regardless, if you’re on any medication, make sure to check with your doctor. Taking kudzu along with diabetes medications could cause your blood sugar to go too low. In China, it has been used to treat alcoholism since 600AD, and Western medicine is starting to take notice of this herbal remedy. If you’re not sure whether kudzu root is right for you, talk with your doctor. They can give you personalized advice that takes into account any other supplements or medications you may be taking.

• It has shown promise in reducing alcohol dependence, supporting liver health, stimulating collagen in the skin, and potentially aiding in weight loss.
• Nevertheless, it may be a good idea to avoid if you use blood thinning or diabetes medications.
• Kaun et al106 developed a conditioned place preference paradigm for flies, and showed that flies perceive intoxicating levels of ethanol as rewarding.
• Today, kudzu is used to treat alcoholism and to reduce symptoms of alcohol hangover, including headache, upset stomach, dizziness, and vomiting.
• The BDI for the kudzu extract-treated participants was 1.78 ± 2.11 and 2.63 ± 2.50 at baseline and during treatment, respectively.
• During this time, alcohol increased heart rate consistent with previous reports (Kouri et al., 2004; Penetar et al., 2009).

Side Effects

There was a Kudzu Club of America that had a membership of 20,000 leading to a goal of planting 8 million acres with kudzu across the South. The Preventative Medicine Center (PMC) suggests kudzu as a remedy for an upset stomach caused by digestive issues. The PMC suggests that combining kudzu with umeboshi plum is best because the umeboshi plum neutralizes excess acid, a much needed result since too much acid can cause diarrhea. The Chinese cook it in many dishes for both medicinal purposes and flavor, but in the United States, it has a bit of a pesky reputation as an invader that takes over telephone poles, yards and trees.

Read on to learn about kudzu’s benefits for your health.

Participants were randomized on a blind basis to receive either 4 capsules of the extract (for a total of 520 mg isoflavones) or placebo (sugar beet filler) 2.5 hours before the start of an afternoon drinking session. This pretreatment time was selected based on our pharmacokinetic study of puerarin absorption and elimination (Penetar et al., 2006). During the baseline session, the placebo-randomized group consumed kudzu root alcohol 2.7 ± 0.78 beers before treatment and increased consumption to 3.4 ± 1.1 beers after treatment. The kudzu group significantly reduced consumption from 3.0 ± 1.7 at baseline to 1.9 ± 1.3 beers after treatment. For targeting alcohol dependence, studies have used dosages of 1.2 grams of kudzu root extract per day over 1 week, or a single dose of 2 grams before drinking alcohol, without noted side effects (3, 19).