Headache. 2009 Jan;49(1):98-105.
Response of cluster headache to kudzu.

Sewell RA.

VA Connecticut Healthcare, Yale University School of Medicine, Psychiatry, West Haven, CT 06516, USA.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the self-treatment of cluster headache with kudzu. BACKGROUND: Many cluster headache patients take over-the-counter (OTC) kudzu extract in the belief that it helps their cluster attacks. Kudzu's actual efficacy has not been studied. METHODS: A database of cluster headache patients was questioned about their use of various alternative remedies to treat their cluster headache. Of 235 patients identified, 16 had used kudzu, consented to interviews, and provided medical records. RESULTS: In total, 11 (69%) experienced decreased intensity of attacks, 9 (56%) decreased frequency, and 5 (31%) decreased duration, with minimal side effects. CONCLUSION: Anecdotal evidence suggests that a component in OTC products labeled as kudzu may prove useful in managing cluster headache. This hypothesis should be tested with a randomized clinical trial.

Publication Types:
Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

PMID: 19125878 [PubMed

Around 70-75% found relief, according to a survey here on this site, as I recall. That survey had more than 9 participants, but is inadmissible to a court of medicine.

Hope Dr. Sewell and others can get grant money to do the randomized clinical trials.

Thank you once again Bob.  I'd seen that Andrew Sewell had published on Kudzu - but hadn't seen WHAT or where.

Laurie