Around the World in 80 Cures
Kudzu, the invasive vine seen everywhere in the South, is proven to reduce alcohol consumption in binge drinkers and alcoholics. Research has also shown that it also improves the health of the liver and can reduce, if not eliminate altogether, migraine headaches and vertigo.
Kudzu can only harvested, but is not legal to grow in most jurisdictions because of its aggressive nature that earned it the reputation as being the "plant that took over the South" in many areas where I am from in Georgia.
Harvard researchers Wing Ming Keung and Bert Vallee first discovered the effects of kudzu on drinking. A 2005 paper in Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, authored by Scott E. Lukas, et. al., reported the results of testing a kudzu extract on a clinical population of “heavy” drinkers. The result: “Kudzu treatment resulted in significant reduction in the number of beers consumed... and a decrease in the volume of each sip.”
“Extracts of various parts of the kudzu vine have been used in many Chinese herbal medicine formulas and are said to be helpful in treating a variety of maladies,” said Dr. Li, who was formerly the director of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). “The findings show promise that CVT-10216 might be better tolerated than Antabuse,” he added.
Kudzu is often prescribed as a cure for a hangover and tinnitus (ringing in the ears). As with any supplement, you should check with your doctor before adding kudzu to your diet and watch for any signs of skin rash or breathing problems when you initially begin taking it.
Dosage: 2 capsules 3 times per day.