UK PRELIMINARY TRIAL STUDY OF HERBAL FORMULA TO INHIBIT CRAVING
FOR ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES

KUDZU COMPLEX
John Smith UK Herbalist
Article Sourced at: http://www.planetherbs.com/ 

The following preliminary study was conducted in the UK using Planetary Formulas Kudzu Complex. It is a formula created by Michael Tierra based on a traditional Chinese formula (TCM) called Ko Ken Tang with pueraria lobata as the chief herb. The traditional TCM formula is also popularly known as “drunkenness dispeller” for its ability to inhibit the craving for alcohol, relieves drunkenness and the morning after side effects. Thus it is used as an antidote for alcohol. Commonly known as “kudzu” the root includes isoflavones, puerarin, daidzin and daidzein. Daidzin appears to block the enzymes, which break down alcohol into toxic components, thereby reducing dependency and hangover.

Apart from the Kudzu root and flowers (the main or ‘Emperor’ herbs), Kudzu Complex contains other herbs to support and direct their action, including Hovenia, which also can prevent alcohol toxicity, Coptis, an anti-inflammatory, cleansing and liver supporting herb, saussurea, an anti-spasmodic, carminative herb and Ginger root – used for digestive distress, gas, and the treatment of nausea.

Many Northern European countries have a problem with over consumption of alcohol which even for the young is a kind of ‘rite of passage.’ Certainly this is well recognized in countries such as Ireland, Great Britain, Germany, Eastern Block countries but the problem is pretty endemic throughout the European continent. In the UK, sales of Kudzu Complex were steadily increasing and building a steady following amongst customers, the UK distributor of Planetary Formulas, Earth Force decided to investigate further the properties of this formula by setting up a trial of eleven people who would take the indicated dose of two tablets of Kudzu Complex three times daily for a seven week period.

The Trial Participants

The trial involved a cross section of people from various backgrounds including a trainee legal executive, an accountant, a café proprietor and a housewife, between the ages of 33 and 63. None would describe themselves as an alcoholic, but all found themselves not being able to resist that one last drink “for the road”, which often causes aggressiveness and memory loss.

Earth Force’s resident herbal practitioner, John Smith monitored those involved in the trial throughout. At the end of the trial, their general state of health, both mental and physiological was recorded.

64% claimed to be drinking less and experiencing fewer cravings

55% said they felt and improvement in physical symptoms (including greater energy, less headaches, less symptoms of PMT, less hangovers, etc.)

60% said they experienced other improvements including greater alertness, improved emotional well-being and reduced stress.

Average units per week pre-trial: 36 units

Average units per week post trial: 16 units

40% stated they would like to continue taking it at their own expense as they were pleased with the results.

During the trial, many experienced symptoms that could be attributed to the body cleansing itself of toxins. Some felt flu-like symptoms, some felt nauseous, some experienced drowsiness. But in all cases, these symptoms subsided.

For the two who drank most heavily, they found at the end of the trial that they had either lost the craving completely, or certainly were less likely to binge. We were particularly pleased with their results as both cut down substantially and felt much better physically and mentally.

The others in this group all felt they could have a drink without it leading to several others, as was previously the case. Some found that when under stress, the desire to drink did not materialize as before.

In addition to reducing the craving, along with drinking less alcohol, Kudzu Complex seems to have had a positive effect on concentration, alertness and mood in general.

Conclusion

It is obvious from the above results that Kudzu Complex can be instrumental in supporting a decision to reduce alcohol consumption and thereby improve the quality of life in terms of improved functioning, greater alertness and reduced stress. As with all dependencies, to be completely successful, the individual must be dedicated to changing their drinking habits, not be influenced by peer pressure, and perhaps be prepared to make a conscious change in lifestyle. We have been genuinely delighted by the results of the Kudzu Complex trial and hope that many more people with drinking problems will choose this natural approach.

Ingredients: Kudzu flower and root, Hovenia fruit, Coptis root, Poria cocos, Grifola, Atractylodes alba, Codonopsis, Saussurea, Shen-Qu (massa fermentata) Green Citrus peel, Cardamon.

For further information on Kudzu Complex or the above trial contact jesmithbodytonix@aol.com

Kudzu Complex is available in the UK and Europe from many stores that sell herbal supplements or one may contact Earthforce  direct info@earthforce.com or Tel. 01873 851951