Study Shows Kudzu Can Reduce Alcohol Consumption

Used for centuries to treat such ailments as neck sprains and diarrhea, kudzu is best known for its use in treating hangovers and inhibiting alcohol abuse.

Although it has been used to treat alcohol abuse safely and effectively in China for more than a millennium, studies on their efficacy have produced mixed results, until now.

New Research Shows Kudzu Reduces Alcohol Cravings

A recent study published in Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research found kudzu supplementation resulted in a significant reduction in the number of alcohol drinks subjects consumed.

Subjects in this study who took kudzu drank an average of 1.8 beers per session, compared with the 3.5 beers consumed by those who took a placebo.

How the Herb Kudzu Works

Researchers believe it may be the isoflavones in kudzu that reduce the craving for alcohol. The isoflavones in kudzu belong to a larger chemical group known as phytoestrogens. Early results from animal studies suggest kudzu phytoestrogens may also help to protect against bone loss from osteoporosis and may help relieve hot flashes in menopausal women.

In addition to its effects on alcohol metabolism, kudzu is a popular herb for supporting blood sugar balance and liver function.

David Overstreet, whose 2003 study found kudzu to be effective in reducing alcohol intake on rats, says that this is the first documented evidence that kudzu can reduce drinking in humans.

While it can’t promise to make you quit drinking overnight, kudzu can be an effective part of a program to reduce your total alcohol intake.