14 DAY TRIAL // A collaboration of American researchers has determined that a substance extracted from the Chinese herb called kudzu is very effective in both treating alcoholism and curbing binge drinking. A paper on the subject is published in the latest issue of journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence.
The work was carried out by experts at the Harvard Medical School and the McLean Hospital, PsychCentral reports. Using the extract, which is known as isoflavone puerarin, causes no ill side-effects, the research group says.
“While we do not suggest that puerarin will stop drinking all together, it is promising that it appears to slow the pace and the overall amount consumed. Further research is needed, but this botanical medication may lead to additional methods to treat alcohol abuse and dependence,” says David Penetar, PhD.
The expert was the lead author of the new paper. He holds an appointment with the McLean Hospital Behavioral Psychopharmacology Research Laboratory.