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Kudzu is a plant whose action and healing properties should be appreciated by people fighting addiction, especially alcohol addiction. In the kudzu root, substances have been found that reduce the desire to reach for a glass. Scientists suspect that kudzu root may also help people who are addicted to cigarettes and even addicted to drugs. Check what other healing properties the kudzu root has.

Kudzu , or a resistor or a patch lead (Latin Pueraria lobata), is a plant whoseactionandhealing propertieshas been appreciated in the Far East for many years. In China or Japan,has been used , in the form of water infusions of powdered root and dry alcoholic extracts, in the treatment of diabetes, flu, fever, nausea, migraines, allergies, and upper respiratory tract diseases. Kudzu root can also lower high blood pressure and alleviate gastrointestinal discomfort. It was recently discovered that kudzu root can also help fight alcohol addiction.

Korzeń kudzu and alcoholism

Animal studies show that kudzu root extract has the ability to limit the amount of ethyl alcohol consumed. All thanks to the content of flavonoid compounds such as daidzin, daidzein and puerarin. It was shown, inter alia, that feeding the experimental rats addicted to alcohol in the amount of 500 mg / kg of body weight by the oral route of this plant, reduced drinking 10%. ethanol by 82 %¹

The thesis about the anti-alcohol properties of kudzu root has been confirmed in human studies. In an experiment conducted on 14 volunteers from the heavy drinkers group (i.e. patients who drink alcohol "in a harmful way"), using kudzu extract (500 mg capsules) developed by scientists from Massachusetts (USA), it was found that after a 7-day administration of this of the preparation, the amount of alcohol (in this case, beer) drunk by the participants of the study is reduced by about 40% .²

There are several hypotheses that try to explain the anti-alcohol effect of kudzu, including stopping the conversion of ethanol alcohol at the stage of acetaldehyde - a highly toxic compound (it is responsible for the symptoms of alcohol intoxication,rolling a hangover).

There is also another hypothesis. Alcohol (and other drugs) stimulate the release of dopamine and serotonin, or "happiness hormones", in the brain. The compounds contained in kudzu - isoflavonoids (especially one of them - genistein) work in a similar way. After taking kudzu root extract, isoflavonoids cause sensations similar to those that arise after drinking alcohol. Therefore, a person does not feel the need to reach for a real stimulant.

Such a mechanism also indicates the possibility of using kudzu root extracts to combat addiction not only to alcohol, but also to drugs and nicotine. It can also ease hangover symptoms.

Worth knowing

Long-term administration of Pueraria lobata root extract and simultaneous drinking of alcohol in harmful amounts may lead to an increased risk of esophageal cancer induced by acetaldehyde, on the other hand, there are no clear reports on this yet .²

Kudzu Root May Prevent Tumor Growth

Kudzu root can prevent the development of prostate cancer. The genistein contained in it, by binding to androgen receptors, inhibits the activity of male hormones - testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, which significantly reduces the stimulating effect of androgens on the development of prostate cancer. In the presence of genistein, a decrease in the level of PSA (Prostate-specific antigen- present in the blood of patients as a tumor marker) is observed down to 50-80% .³

Kudzu root can also prevent the development of other neoplasms, because genistein inhibits the process of angiogenesis, i.e. the development of a network of blood vessels that provide the cancer cell with the components necessary for its development. In addition, genistein and other isoflavonoids contained in the kudzu root scavenge free radicals from the body and thus protect against oxidative stress that can lead to the development of cancer. Kudzu has also been shown to inhibit the growth of carcinogenic viruses.

Kudzu root will ease symptoms of menopause

Genistein can not only prevent the development of cancer, but also alleviate the symptoms of menopause. This compound acts as estrogen - a hormone that is lacking during this period of a woman's life. The root of kudzu will help you deal with ailments such as hot flushes, bone loss, dizziness. It can also reduce the risk of developing heart disease in menopausal women.

Important

Kudzu - contraindications

The kudzu root should NOT be reached by:

  • pregnant and lactating women (no safety data available)
  • people taking anticoagulant drugs (kuzuintensifies their action)
  • people struggling with hormone-dependent diseases (due to estrogen-like effects), e.g. endometriosis, breast and ovarian cancer

Korzeń kudzu - where to buy? What's the price?

Kudzu root can be purchased in he alth food stores, herbalists and pharmacies. It is available in three forms: tablets and starch (meal). The latter form has been used in the kitchen. It can be used instead of corn starch or gelatin as a binder and thickener. For example, for sauces, add 1/2 to 1 tablespoon to half a cup of water. You can also make a breading from kudzu starch - after coating and frying, a thin and crunchy crust comes out.

You have to pay about 30 PLN for a package containing 90 tablets. On the other hand, 50 g of kudzu starch costs about PLN 20.

Category:

Alternative medicine