'Vine that ate South' cuts drinkers' thirst

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/0518kudzu18.html

ATLANTA - Kudzu, the fast-spreading weed also known as the "vine that ate the South," contains chemicals that reduce the urge of binge-drinkers and alcoholics, as well as casual imbibers, to ask for that second, third or fourth drink, Harvard Medical Center researchers report in what is being called a groundbreaking study.

Their research suggests that kudzu compounds called isoflavones are keys to treating intoxication. Heavy drinkers who took pills made from chemicals in kudzu seemed to lose their urge to order a second or third drink or, at the least, extended the time between ordering additional drinks.

"We want to develop a medication that would be effective and safe, and pills without side effects like other drugs on the market (for treating alcoholics and binge-drinkers)," said the lead researcher, Dr. Scott E. Lukas, a professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and director of behavior psychopharmacology at McLean Hospital in nearby Belmont, Mass.

Harvard and McLean own the patents on the discovery, and Lukas speculated it may be several years before alcohol-resistance pills are developed. That depends on whether the pills will need approval by the Food and Drug Administration or can be sold as an herbal remedy, which wouldn't require the government's OK.

different article must have been referenced because it was mentioned that kudzu intensified the effects of the alcohol and that is what seemed to cause the participants to consume less. Who knows?

From what I took away, they said that it made the effects of alcohol more intense, so less alcohol needed. Not necessarily keep you away from the booze, but make you drink less to get the same effect. I could have told them that. Try Ginko Biloba before drinking, does exactly the same thing, just a beer or two and you are buzzed.

Well, here it is.

Seriously- the first drink doesn't have the pill/powder/whathaveyou, but after that first drink (mixed drink? beer?), they add it in.

Look, I like a good mixed drink or two every now and again, but some college towns have a problem with students getting trashed in bars. Drunk driving is a problem everywhere. This discovery could help people to keep from getting drunk in the first place.

As long as it's odorless, colorless, tasteless, and above all, safe, shoot- let's see how this could be developed.

I am especially concerned with binge drinking in college. My boys are about 8 years away and, assuming it turns out to be safe and effective, I would love to pack some of this with them when they go. And it is KUDZU! What a great way to find all of those buildings and cars that have gone missing here in the south!
:)

beer in packets or cases or suitcases of more than 12 bottles/cans will buy out the patents for these.

Dammit, I when I buy my 36 cube, I wanna drink it ( in if it was some piss like Miller Light - I probably could :eyes: )

Mmmm. :puke:

if you want weak piss water! Good thing Evanston, Wyoming is only about an hour and a half from SLC...

Oxford Stroud taught me how to write in the mid-60s. And he did, indeed, serve me kudzu tea. After I returned from Vietnam, I would drink beer with Oxford on Sunday afternoons at the VFW Post. The kudzu tea didn't seem to slow Professor Stroud's consumption of ethyl alcohol.


Kudzu-covered cabin

I have read several mentions of kudzo for alcoholism at Curezone.com. They all say it is the root that is needed.

That is my Garage!!!!!!

http://www.holistic-online.com/Herbal-Med/_Herbs/h329.htm

http://www.viable-herbal.com/singles/herbs/s859.htm


n Traditional Chinese Medicine, kudzu root is used in prescriptions for the treatment of wei, or “superficial,” syndrome (a disease that manifests just under the surface—mild, but with fever), thirst, headache, and stiff neck with pain due to high blood pressure.1 It is also recommended for allergies, migraine headaches, and diarrhea. The historical application for drunkenness has become a major focal point of modern research on kudzu. It is also used in modern Chinese medicine as a treatment for angina pectoris.
http://www.truestarhealth.com/Notes/2119009.html

There's probably more info on the net -- this is from just a quick google.

It's not an "oh, it's so beautiful" love..but if you've ever had to chomp it down or stop it's advances, you learn to love it...

besides, as a child we would hollow out beneath the vine and create club houses and secret tunnels... it's one reason snakes and spiders don't bother me..I've had to relocate a few in my time.