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Kudzu (Pueraria lobata)

Isoflavone-rich root — reduces alcohol craving and intake in human trials.

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Overview

Isoflavone-rich root — reduces alcohol craving and intake in human trials.

Natural sources
  • Whole dried plant material (root, leaf, flower, or aerial parts depending on the species)
  • Standardized hydroethanolic or aqueous extract (capsule, tincture, or tea)
  • Powdered traditional preparation used in Ayurvedic, TCM, or Western herbal practice
Common forms
  • Standardized extract capsule
  • Liquid tincture (alcohol or glycerin)
  • Powdered whole herb
  • Traditional decoction or tea

Forms & variants of Kudzu (Pueraria lobata)

Different chemical forms of Kudzu (Pueraria lobata) behave differently. Browse each form's mechanism, bioavailability, and best-use context.

Mechanism of action

Puerarin and daidzin inhibit mitochondrial ALDH2, increasing acetaldehyde and creating a mild aversion.

Pathways
  • · ALDH2 inhibition
  • · BAC dynamics

Effects on the body

Supports
Reduced alcohol intake in heavy drinkers (Lukas 2013)

Organ system effects

Evidence-based benefits

Reduced alcohol intake in heavy drinkers (Lukas 2013)

Moderate evidence

Potential side effects

Common
  • · Flushing
Rare
    Serious
    • · Avoid with disulfiram-like reactions

    Drug interactions

    Methotrexate
    Possible additive hepatotoxicity.
    moderate

    Safety & non-supplemental interactions

    Educational summary — always confirm with your clinician or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or combining with prescription therapy.

    Avoid if you are
    • ·Pregnant or breastfeeding (insufficient safety data)
    • ·Children under 18 (unless directed by a clinician)
    Other notes
    • ·Discuss with a clinician if you have active liver disease or take hepatotoxic medications.

    Supplement interactions

    Pairs well with
    • A high-quality multivitamin
      Covers micronutrient cofactors that support most supplement pathways.
    • Omega-3 (EPA/DHA)
      Foundational anti-inflammatory support that complements most regimens.
    Avoid combining with

    No specific avoidances listed.

    Dosing & bioavailability

    Typical dose
    500–1500 mg root extract
    Best form
    Most evidence is based on the standardized extract capsule form.
    Timing
    Consistent daily timing recommended; split larger doses if GI tolerance is a concern.
    With food?
    Optional

    Where to buy

    Affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Amazon code supplementsch-20 is auto-applied at checkout. We don't endorse specific brands; verify third-party testing (USP, NSF, Informed Sport) before purchase.

    Scientific evidence8Show studies
    RCTDrug Alcohol Depend · 2013

    Kudzu (Pueraria lobata) for alcohol consumption

    Lukas SE, et al.

    RCT of kudzu extract on alcohol drinking.

    Key findings

    Reduced number of beers consumed in heavy drinkers.

    Open study
    Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

    PubMed: Kudzu (Pueraria lobata) — Reduced alcohol intake in heavy drinkers

    Live PubMed search

    Live results for "Kudzu (Pueraria lobata) Reduced alcohol intake in heavy drinkers" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

    Key findings

    Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Kudzu (Pueraria lobata) and "Reduced alcohol intake in heavy drinkers". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

    Open study
    Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

    PubMed: Kudzu (Pueraria lobata) — randomized controlled trial

    Live PubMed search

    Live results for "Kudzu (Pueraria lobata) randomized controlled trial" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

    Key findings

    Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Kudzu (Pueraria lobata) and "randomized controlled trial". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

    Open study
    Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

    PubMed: Kudzu (Pueraria lobata) — meta-analysis

    Live PubMed search

    Live results for "Kudzu (Pueraria lobata) meta-analysis" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

    Key findings

    Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Kudzu (Pueraria lobata) and "meta-analysis". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

    Open study
    Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

    PubMed: Kudzu (Pueraria lobata) — pharmacokinetics

    Live PubMed search

    Live results for "Kudzu (Pueraria lobata) pharmacokinetics" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

    Key findings

    Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Kudzu (Pueraria lobata) and "pharmacokinetics". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

    Open study
    Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

    PubMed: Kudzu (Pueraria lobata) — safety adverse events

    Live PubMed search

    Live results for "Kudzu (Pueraria lobata) safety adverse events" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

    Key findings

    Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Kudzu (Pueraria lobata) and "safety adverse events". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

    Open study
    Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

    PubMed: Kudzu (Pueraria lobata) — dose response

    Live PubMed search

    Live results for "Kudzu (Pueraria lobata) dose response" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

    Key findings

    Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Kudzu (Pueraria lobata) and "dose response". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

    Open study
    Systematic reviewGoogle Scholar · 1970

    Google Scholar: Kudzu (Pueraria lobata) — clinical evidence

    Live Scholar search

    Cross-database citation index for Kudzu (Pueraria lobata) as it relates to "clinical evidence".

    Key findings

    Includes preprints, theses, and journal articles. Useful for tracking citation counts and follow-on work.

    Open study
    Educational use only. This profile is not medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting any supplement, especially if you take prescription medication or have a chronic condition.

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