Kava Benefits for Stress, Depression, Sleep & Muscle Pain

Kava health benefits are purported to include anxiety relief, stress reduction, feelings of well-being, improved sociability, reduced pain and sleep support.

A member of the pepper family, the kava plant is native to the South Pacific islands and has been used both medicinally and recreationally for hundreds of years.

Also called awa, kava kava, or kava pepper, this shrub’s active ingredients lie in the root and stem system below the ground. Kava can be consumed as a drink or as an oral supplement or topical solution.

Traditionally, the roots of this herb were prepared into a beverage used in social ceremonies and rituals. Today consumers can buy it in the form of a bulk powder, liquid tincture, tea bags or tablets.

These products are promoted for helping individuals relax, alleviating feelings of nervousness or worry, promoting energy levels, curbing hunger cravings, supporting digestive health, reducing headaches, and reducing inflammation.

Modern research has attributed a number of health-boosting properties to this herb, but there is only limited research available to evaluate its therapeutic efficacy. There are also questions about the safety of this dietary supplement, particularly if using certain parts of the plant or if taking extracts prepared in certain ways.

Kava

Herbal Supplement

Anxiety

Mood

Sleep

How It Works:

• Reduces feeling of anxiety & stress
• Improves feeling of wellbeing
• Shown to improve sleep & insomnia

Dosage:

Between 100 - 300 mg per day

Safety:

Rated Possibly Safe

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Uses of Kava Kava

Consumers have used kava both orally and topically for centuries. Kava was historically used as a relaxant much like alcohol for over 1,500 years.

It was prepared by grinding or chewing the roots. Then, the plant extract is mixed into a drink and consumed to promote a relaxed state of mind.

The herb is widely used in the United States to boost feelings of calm and relaxation, help overcome social inhibitions and to enhance mood.

According to the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, medicinal uses for oral kava include anxiety disorders and related sleep problems, epilepsy, cancer, tuberculosis, respiratory tract infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia, venereal diseases, discomfort related to menstruation, musculoskeletal pain, and vaginal prolapse.

In addition, oral kava has been used to increase or improve sexual arousal [1]. Kava is also used topically to expedite the healing of open wounds, to treat the skin disease leprosy, and to remove pain including toothaches [2].

These uses have not been evaluated or approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Because kava is known to cause hepatotoxicity, any consumer considering integrating kava into their treatment plan should seek advice from a medical provider.

Kava Kava Health Benefits

Although kava has been used in traditional medicine practices for variety of indications, the proven health benefits relate to the use of this plant extract in the treatment of anxiety disorders.

This supplement contains active ingredients called kavalactones which have anxiolytic (anxiety-reducing) effects. Research shows that the constituent dihydrokavain may be involved in mediating the effect, but not through the GABA(A) receptor comple.

Another active constituent kavain appears to modulate excitatory signals in the hippocampus of the brain. This herb may work by affecting limbic function without causing overall sedation of the nervous system at low doses.

According to a study published in The Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology, a six-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled study produced relief from symptoms in patients suffering from generalized anxiety disorder or GAD [3].

In other studies, kava extracts standardized to 70% kavalactones have been found to decrease anxiety symptoms and may perform comparably to low-dose benzodiazepine therapy. It has demonstrated efficacy when compared to 30mg oxazepam and 10mg buspirone in studies.

The use of kava has been studied for other indications and preliminary results indicate that it may be a promising treatment. However, these studies have not provided enough information to come to any definitive conclusion on the efficacy and safety of kava.

Some preliminary research suggests benefits for reducing benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms and reducing anxiety and hot flashes in menopausal women. Another study involving healthy volunteers found that this supplement reduced stress response associated with mentally demanding tasks.

Studies looking at the effects of taking Kava products for insomnia have yielded contradictory results. One study found that 200mg of the proprietary extract WS1490 taken for 4 weeks reduced sleep disturbance linked to general anxiety disorder.

In a different study, a 100mg dose of kavalactones taken 3 times per day did not improve insomnia related to anxiety disorders. This clinical trial used a different extract from the plant.

There has been epidemiological data suggesting that kava consumption is correlated with lower incidence of cancer. However, there is no other human research available to assess how this plant extract affects cancer.

Benefits for Skin

This plant has been used as an analgesic (for pain relief) and applied directly to the skin. Kava extracts can be combined with water to make a paste, often used for topical relief of skin ulcers, localized skin conditions, and leprosy.

Historically, it was used to promote would healing as a poultice for otitis and abscesses. Many consumers claim kava successfully improve skin conditions, but the natural plant extract has not been studied for efficacy in the treatment of skin conditions.

However, studies have indicated that kava kava does not pose a risk of hepatotoxicity when used topically as opposed to orally.

Mouthwashes containing kava kava may relieve toothache associated with dental abscess or decay as well as mouth sores. These uses have not been evaluated or approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

Health Risks

There are concerns about the safety of kava use for liver health. The US Food and Drug Administration warns consumers of a possibility for rare but serious liver injury when taking supplements with this ingredient.

According to the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, “Kava has had at least a 1,500-year history of relatively safe use, with liver side effects never having arisen in the ethnopharmacological data.”

However, there have recently been reports of serious liver complications linked to use of this product. These complications are believed to have been caused by a low-quality form of the plant extract made with unsafe solvents.

Kava dosing should be carefully calculated under the oversight of a physician or other qualified medical professional due to the potentially serious risk of hepatotoxicity (liver toxicity that may result in liver damage, liver failure, and/or death) [4].

Other risks associated with the use of kava, especially when taken orally, include:

• Abnormal muscle spasms
• Involuntary muscle movements
• Skin changes, such as yellow, flaky skin
• Interactions with medications

Kava can also cause drowsiness, so driving and operating heavy equipment after consuming this herb should be avoided [5].

Customer Reviews

User reviews suggest that this supplement is commonly taken for benefits including anxiety relief, sleep, relaxation, reduction of muscle pain and helping them wean off prescription drugs.

“I was able to lower my oxycodone dose when I began supplementing with kava kava.”

“Kava kava helps relax my shoulder and back muscles. I experienced a serious injury a few years ago and appreciate the relief provided by kava kava.”

“I slept better than I have in years and wasn’t groggy at all the next morning. Kava has been very beneficial for my sleeping problems.”

“I’m getting off of Ativan and kava has really helped the process.”

These reviews are consumer opinions and may not reflect your experience with the supplement. While consumers have taken this supplement for medicinal uses, it has not been approved by the FDA as a drug for the prevention or treatment of any medical conditions.

Dosage Guidelines

Individuals considering supplementing with kava kava should consult their primary care provider to determine the appropriate dosage and whether this product is safe for them to use.

Because it can cause liver toxicity and possibly death, a healthcare provider should always oversee use. It is believed that this risk can be mitigated by taking products made from high-quality water extracts prepared according to traditional methods.

Kava kava dosages vary depending on the indication. The FDA has not issued standard dosage guidelines for this product so the best source of information on how much to take comes from clinical research studies.

In clinical trials on patients diagnosed with depression and anxiety disorders, 400-500 milligrams have been taken daily divided into three equal doses. Patients using this supplement to promote sleep and insomnia relief typically take 100 milligrams just once daily before bedtime.

Topical administration includes either purchasing or making a water-based paste and applying to the affected area, often skin or an aching tooth. Kava kava paste may be applied to the skin as needed without risk of toxicity.

This herbal supplement is not safe orally or topically for pediatric patients. It should not be given to pregnant or nursing women due to insufficient research available regarding the safety for developing fetuses or infants.

These dosage levels are not recommendations, but instead a summary of common uses of kava kava. These statements have not been evaluated or approved by the FDA. A doctor or qualified medical professional should always oversee the use of kava kava for any specific health benefits.

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