title: A pilot study exploring the effect of kudzu root on the drinking habits of patients with chronic alcoholism.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  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.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective, randomized double-blind controlled clinical trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  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.
  
  
  METHODS
  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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this small patient population, kudzu root appeared to be no better than placebo in reducing the craving for alcohol or promoting sobriety.
authors.affiliation: Veteran Affairs Medical Center 316, Prescott, Arizona 86313, USA.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Shebek
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Rindone
mesh_terms: D000427:Alcohol Deterrents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010865:Pilot Projects; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D019685:Rosales / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014728:Veterans
chemical_list: D000427:Alcohol Deterrents; D010936:Plant Extracts