Chinese Herb Kudzu May Help Reduce Alcohol Consumption

Recent study shows that consumption of the active compound in the herb Kudzu appears to help slow the compulsion to consume alcohol.From Health Matters

by Dr Charles Fiscella

Scientists believe they may have found a natural way to curb drinking.

 Researchers from Harvard Medical School conducting a study at McLean Hospital found that components of a Chinese herb, Kudzu, may help reduce an individual's desire to consume alcohol.
The scientists examined 10 men and women, all in their 20s, who consumed alcohol on a regular basis. As part of the study, the participants were entertained for 90 minutes each week in a room which provided a DVD player, television, and a refrigerator filled with their favorite beers and soft drinks. They were told that they could consume up to six beers during a session.

 Following the first session, the participants were divided into two groups. Both groups were given substances to take each day over the following week. One group received puerarin, an active ingredient of the Kudzu herb, while the other group received a placebo (a substance with no active ingredient). Following session 3, the substances were switched among the participants; the placebo group received puerarin, while the puerarin group received a placebo.

 The findings showed that in each case, participants who received puerarin consumed less beer than those given the Placebo. The average consumption of beer fell from 3.5 to 2.4 bottles.

 No side effects from the kudzu herb were noted.The project was led by David Penetar, Ph.D., from the Behavioral Psychopharmacology Research Laboratory at McLean Hospital, whose study appears in the latest issue of Drug and Alcohol Dependence."Our study is further evidence that components found in kudzu root can reduce alcohol consumption and do so without adverse side effects. Further research is needed, but this botanical medication may lead to additional methods to treat alcohol abuse and dependence," said Dr. Penetar.

 "This was a simulation of a binge drinking opportunity and not only did we see the subjects drinking less, we noted that their rate of consumption decreased, meaning they drank slower and took more sips to finish a beer. 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,” concluded Penetar.

Read more: http://www.irishcentral.com/story/advice/health-matters/chinese-herb-help-may-reduce-drinking-168013496.html#ixzz283ncMhaA

Non-Domestic Animals Receive Effective Vet Treatments of Homeopathy.

Homeopathic treatments found effective by Zoo Veterinarians. 

NEW DELHI: It's not part of the regular treatment but in a pinch, alternative medicine in the form of homeopathy, ayurveda or herbal concoctions, does the trick. And the doctors responsible for animals at the National Zoological Park, Delhi, find, that they sometimes work when allopathy doesn't.

"We started using them seven-eight years ago," says Delhi zoo veterinary officer Paneer Selvam. "We get them wheneve necessity arises." The zoo's standard line of treatment is allopathy but whenever a particularly difficult case comes up, Selvam consults practitioners of alternative medicine. 'About two years ago, one of the Asiatic lions had hind-quarter paralysis. Another one developed the condition some time back.

The zoo doesn't stock homeopathy or ayurvedic medicines. The vet says that homeopathic courses typically last for about three months and they stock enough for one. The decision to attempt the other lines for treatment isn't Selvam's own. Health issues pertaining to animals at the zoo are attended to by a health committee that consists of a team of doctors and meets once in three months.

In both cases we first tried with allopathic treatment but when that didn't work we used homeopathic treatment," says Selvam, "In my experience, we have got good results." A Himalayan black bear that was afflicted with the same condition a year ago and was cured by homeopathy. "Many of the zoo vets prefer to try alternative medicine now," says Selvam.

One of the first time he tried it was some years ago with an old white tiger with a stone in the urinary bladder. Surgery was too much of a risk for the aged tiger and homeopathy was used instead. But the black herbal concoction, a potent medicine for wounds, Selvam's been using for a decade. "It is a very good ointment for maggot wounds," he says.

http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-06-05/delhi/32055174_1_alternative-medicine-delhi-zoo-homeopathy