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Kava kava is a plant that is a member of the pepper family. The roots of this plant have been used for hundreds of years in parts of the South Pacific for ceremonial, recreational and medicinal purposes.
It is still used today for many of these purposes, but it has been a source of controversy. Several cases of liver toxicity associated with the use of kava have been reported over the years.
This prompted the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to issue a warning on the potential dangers of use in 2002; however, Kava is still legal as a dietary supplement in the USA. Other countries have also taken steps to educate the public about kava, and some have banned its use entirely and made it illegal to purchase or import kava pills.
Kava is sometimes used for its calming effects, which can help those with anxiety and stress. Other uses for it include treating insomnia, reducing convulsions in those with epilepsy, managing the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome and relieving migraines. Before buying kava extracts, it is important to understand the legal status of this herb in your country.
Anxiety
Mood
Sleep- Reduces feeling of anxiety & stress
- Improves feeling of wellbeing
- Shown to improve sleep & insomnia
International Kava Laws
Is kava legal in the US? Kava can be sold as a dietary supplement under FDA regulations, but it is not approved for medicinal uses.
Safe dosage amounts are generally considered to be about 290 MG per day, although no exact recommended dosages have been determined.
FDA regulations on kava are few, making it important for those who use these products to make sure that they are only consuming extracts made from kava roots. The stems and leaves of this plant are not considered safe. [1]
In Canada, kava products were removed from stores following the warning about the possible link between kava use and liver toxicity in 2002.
Health Canada is still imposing a stop-sale order on kava products, although manufacturers of kava products outside Canada are allowed to send their products to buyers within the country. [2]
In the U.K., kava is considered legal as a dietary supplement, but it is illegal to sell it for medicinal purposes. It is also not allowed to be imported or sold in the U.K. as a food additive or product. [3]
In Australia, it is illegal to sell kava. Kava can be imported for use in medical and scientific research, but a permit is required. Those who travel to Australia are legally allowed to bring up to 2 KG of kava for personal use. [4]
Other countries have also made efforts to warn consumers about potential health risks of kava.
Poland has banned kava entirely, making it illegal to import products with kava, sell them, make them or possess them. Kava is also not allowed to be sold for commercial use in Ireland.
In Switzerland, the sale of a pharmaceutical that contains a kavalactone found in kava has been banned, although this ban does not apply to all kava products. [5]
Uses and Effects of Kava
Kava is commonly used to reduce anxiety and stress due to its ability to promote relaxation. According to the Natural Medicines Database, Kava is also used for a number of other purposes, such as managing insomnia, headaches, ADHD, depression, urinary tract infections, menstrual soreness and chronic fatigue syndrome.
Kava contains active compounds known as kavalactones that produce calming effects on the body and brain. These chemicals have been shown in human research studies to help ease pain and promote healthy sleep.
A 2013 study that appeared in the Journal of Clinical Psychopharmcology reported that kava use offers relief from generalized anxiety disorder when used on a short-term basis. [6]
Kava has also been studied for symptoms of insomnia, stress and anxiety associated with menopause. Additional studies are needed to accurately determine the effectiveness of kava for these purposes.
Kava has also been used for epilepsy, depression, migraines and ADHD, but more research is needed to confirm or debunk purported health claims.
Side Effects of Kava Extract
Kava can be purchased legally in the U.S. without a prescription. However, those who want purchase kava as pills, tablets, capsules, liquid extracts or other supplement forms should talk to their doctor before using it.
Kava has been linked to several cases of liver toxicity, some of which have resulted in fatality. Those who have hepatitis or other liver conditions should not use kava. Anyone with a pre-existing health condition should talk to their doctor before taking this supplement.
Kava can cause mild side effects when used on a short-term basis. These include dizziness, restlessness, skin reactions, drowsiness and tremors. Long-term use of these supplements, especially in large doses, can lead to partial hearing loss, skin that appears yellowish, hair loss and appetite loss.
Kava has the potential to interact with some types of medications, such as anti-anxiety drugs, diuretics, anticonvulsants, drugs that affect the liver and phenothiazine medications.
Those who are taking any of these medications should discuss the safety of kava with a medical professional before taking these supplements.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Consumer Advisory: Kava-Containing Dietary Supplements May be Associated With Severe Liver Injury. 2002.
- HealthLinkBC. Kava. 2015.
- Department of Health. Nutrition Information Legislation Sheet. 2015.
- Department of Health: Therapeutic Goods Administration. Restrictions on the import of kava to Australia. 2015.
- Radio Australia. Europe explains its stand on kava from the Pacific. 2012.
- Sarris J, Stough C, Bousman CA, Wahid ZT, Murray G, Teschke R, Savage KM, Dowell A, Ng C, Schweitzer I. Kava in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study. Journal of Clinical Psychopharmocology. 2013. Oct;33(5):643-8. doi: 10.1097/JCP.0b013e318291be67.
Article last updated on: March 12th, 2018 by Nootriment