A pilot study exploring the effect of kudzu root on the drinking habits of patients with chronic alcoholism.

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to assess if kudzu root extract influences the drinking habits of veterans who entered a substance abuse treatment program.

DESIGN

Prospective, randomized double-blind controlled clinical trial.

SETTING

A nonacademic Veteran Affairs Medical Center.

METHODS

Patients with the diagnosis of alcoholism were randomly assigned to receive either kudzu root extract 1.2 g twice daily or a matching placebo. Patients completed questionnaires that focused on craving for alcohol and sobriety status on a monthly basis.

OUTCOME MEASURES: Sobriety level and craving for ethanol were assessed on a visual analogue scale from 0 to 10.

RESULTS

Thirty-eight patients completed 1 month of the study; 21 randomly assigned kudzu, 17 to placebo. No statistically significance difference in craving and sobriety scores were noted after 1 month between kudzu and placebo, or at later stages with smaller numbers (15-19) of patients.

CONCLUSION

In this small patient population, kudzu root appeared to be no better than placebo in reducing the craving for alcohol or promoting sobriety.