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.