Is Kava Legal to Buy in Australia for Personal Use?

Kava kava, also known as Piper methysticum, is a type of plant that grows in the western Pacific. Locals in this region have used the roots of the kava plant in beverages for several centuries for its relaxing effects.

According to the Australian Drug Foundation, Kava was first brought to north Australia in the 1980’s by Pacific Islanders who had settled in the country. They used the herb as an alternative to alcohol, because of its similar effects for promoting relaxation, relieving muscle tension and inducing social behavior.

Kava was initially introduced in Australia to counteract the adverse social effects of alcohol experienced in many of these communities. However, Kava use in some individuals has been associated with severe and potentially fatal liver damage, which has led to warnings and bans on it in some countries.

For those who want to buy kava in Australia, it is important to note that the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has placed regulations on these supplements. Only certain forms of kava extract can be sold in Australia and its import into the country is strictly regulated.

Kava

Herbal Supplement

Anxiety

Mood

Sleep

How It Works:

• Reduces feeling of anxiety & stress
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Dosage:

Between 100 - 300 mg per day

Safety:

Rated Possibly Safe

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Uses of Kava in Australia

In Australia and around the world, Kava is used for both recreational and medicinal purposes. Historically, the kava kava drink was consumed as part of social rituals to promote social bonding and produce euphoriant effects.

Common uses for oral kava supplements include anxiety relief, stress management and sleep improvement. Other possible uses for it include attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder, epilepsy, migraines, chronic fatigue syndrome and depression.

According to the Natural Medicines Database, oral kava supplements are also used to manage symptoms of uterine inflammation, urinary tract infections, menstrual pain, venereal diseases and vaginal prolapse. Topical kava products are used for a few different purposes, including toothaches, canker sores, wounds, abscesses and otitis.

Kava is known for having properties that help promote relaxation, relieve pain, promote sleep and reduce the risk of convulsions. These effects are caused by constituents in kava known as kavalactones, according to the National Institutes of Health. [1]

Kava has a depressant effect on the central nervous system. The Australian Drug Foundation explains this by saying that kava, “Slows down the messages travelling between the brain and the body.”

Kava supplements have been shown to reduce the symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder, based on the results of a 2013 study in the Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology. [2]

Studies using kava supplements have also examined this herb’s effects for stress, insomnia, depression, epilepsy and several other conditions. The Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database states that more research is needed to rate the efficacy of this plant for these uses. [3]

Consumers around the world can purchase kava kava supplements in various forms online, but it is important to understand its legal status before doing so. Due to the potential risk of negative effects on the liver, this herb has been banned for human consumption in many countries.

For example, the Food and Drug Administration in the U.S. allows kava to be sold as dietary supplements, but it has also issued a warning on its use.

Legal Status of Kava in Australia

The TGA regulates all supplements under the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989, including kava powder, kava root extract and all other supplements that contain this ingredient.

These regulations are based on a risk-based approach that assesses whether supplements are considered lower risk or higher risk. [4]

Is kava legal in Australia? In 2002, this product was banned in a number of different countries, including the UK, Canada and European nations.

Most forms of Kava cannot legally be sold in Australia, although it can legally be imported for scientific research or medical research with the proper permit. Consumers who are traveling to Australia can have up to 2 KG of kava extract or raw roots on them for personal use. [5]

Those who want to buy kava powder or kava root extract in Australia will not find it in retail stores, pharmacies or any other stores that carry these products.

Those who live in Australia and want to purchase kava supplements online can do so. The TGA states that it does not regulate the online sale of kava products from other countries. [6]

However, the TGA warns that it is important for consumers to know what is in the products they are buying and to take the potential risks of these products into consideration before using them.

Are Certain Forms of Kava Legal to Buy?

Kava researchers at the University of Queensland argue that certain forms of kava are safe to consume and should not be banned internationally.

According to Jerome Sarris, PhD, many of the problematic products sold in Europe did not use kava extracts prepared in the traditional way of using the plant in the Pacific Islands.

These products contained ethanol and acetone extracts and sometimes used the wrong parts of the plant. This Australian research team suggests that this may be why liver problems were reported in people who used the extracts.

According to this research team, Kava does not pose liver problems if it is extracted in the right way. This means using a water-based extract from the rootstock of a specific high-quality cultivar of the plant.

Sarris states that, “Our study used a [kava extract] which is approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration of Australia and is currently legal in Australia for medicinal use.”

SBS.com.au also notes that Australian aid dollars in Fiji fund the development of bottled kava drinks for export. Many in the agriculture industry say that the ban on kava products unjustifiably eliminates millions of potential dollars from the Australian economy.

How to Take Kava Kava

Kava supplements come in various forms, including capsules and tablets. It is also available in powder and liquid extract forms that can be put into water, tea and other beverages. These supplements can be found at online retailers, such as Amazon.

No standard dosages of kava kava have been determined. Consumers who buy these products online will find products that typically range from lower dosages of 250 MG to higher dosages of 450 to 500 MG.

Those who plan on taking kava supplements should discuss the right dosage amounts they need with their doctor, which will vary based on their age, health and other factors.

Risks of Kava Use

The use of kava supplements could have harmful effects on the liver, which can be life-threatening in some cases. There have been more than 30 reports of liver damage in Europe among those who use kava, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. [7]

Consumers should note that water-soluble kava extracts taken from rootstock are considered safe and effective, according to the results of a 2009 study published in Psychopharmacology. [8]

This study found that this form of kava is not associated with liver damage. Participants in this study took five tablets of water-soluble kava extract per day for three weeks and showed a reduction in anxiety symptoms. This form of kava is approved by the TGA.

Kava supplements are not considered safe to use for consumers who have liver problems, pregnant women and women who are nursing. Otherwise, it is generally safe to take these supplements in small to medium dosages for 1 month or less, under medical supervision.

Using kava longer than this or taking it in large amounts can cause partial hearing loss, appetite loss, hair loss and other problems.

Kava can also cause side effects when taken in small to medium amounts. These include drowsiness, restlessness, skin problems, nausea and dizziness. Those who use it should not use machinery or drive.

Kava can also interact with some types of medications, such as anticonvulsants and anti-anxiety medications. It can also interact with diuretics and medications that affect the liver. Consumers who take medications should check with their doctor before taking kava in Australia.

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