Dihydromyricetin (DHM, from Hovenia dulcis)

Dihydromyricetin (DHM), a flavonoid from the Japanese raisin tree (Hovenia dulcis), is sold mainly as a hangover supplement. The claims about breaking down alcohol and protecting the liver come from laboratory and animal work; neither study cited on this page measured a liver outcome in people.

There is no published human trial of isolated DHM cited here. The one human study used a whole Hovenia dulcis fruit extract in 26 men who all carried a gene variant that slows acetaldehyde clearance, and it found fewer hangover symptoms than placebo. Whether isolated DHM does the same in a general population has not been tested. The brain effects come from a rat study.

Products typically provide a few hundred milligrams, taken before, during, or after drinking. Follow product labeling, and be aware that no human trial of isolated DHM has established a dose. It is not a license to drink more, and it does not prevent intoxication or impairment.

It is reported as well tolerated, but long-term safety data in people are limited and the one cited human trial covered a single drinking session. Importantly, it does not lower blood alcohol, make drinking safe, or prevent impairment, so never use it to justify drinking more or driving. Those with liver conditions or on medication should check with a doctor.

Dihydromyricetin (DHM) is a flavonoid from the Japanese raisin tree (Hovenia dulcis), sold mainly as a hangover supplement. The two studies cited on this page do not test it for liver health: one is a rat study of alcohol intoxication, and the human trial used a whole Hovenia dulcis fruit extract rather than isolated D…

Dihydromyricetin is researched primarily for Liver Health. The idea that DHM speeds up the enzymes that break down alcohol and acetaldehyde comes from laboratory work. Neither study cited on this page measured those enzymes, and neither tested isolated DHM in people.

The clinically studied dose is Product labels commonly suggest 300 to 600 mg around alcohol intake, but this is a marketing convention rather than a tested dose. Neither cited study used it: the human trial gave a whole Hovenia dulcis fruit extract, and the other study was done in rats. Always follow the product label and check with a healthcare provider for personal advice.

For most healthy adults, Dihydromyricetin is well tolerated at studied doses. Reported effects can include: Reported as well tolerated in the one small human trial cited here, which covered a single drinking session in 26 men. Does not make drinking safe and is not a reason to drink more or to drive. It may also interact with some medications. Dihydromyricetin is not right for everyone, so check with a healthcare provider first if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a medical condition, or take prescription medication.

Possible interactions include: Alcohol and sedatives: DHM affected GABA-A pathways in rats, so caution is reasonable. Never rely on it to counter impairment, and note that it does not lower blood alcohol. May affect liver enzymes that process medications; ask your doctor. If you take prescription medication, check with a pharmacist or doctor before using it.

NutraSmarts rates the evidence for Dihydromyricetin as Preliminary (1 out of 5). It is backed by 1 clinical trial and 2 cited references summarized on this page. A higher rating reflects more, larger, and better-designed human studies.