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Oral kava capsules are a convenient way to consume this herbal extract without preparing it into a beverage.
Kava-Kava, or just “kava” is the common name for Piper methysticum, a shrub that grows in various South Pacific islands. For many centuries, the roots of the plant have been ground and used to brew beverages which are purported to induce relaxation.
Traditional uses for kava include decreasing anxiousness, inducing mild sedation and improving mood. It plays a similar role in the South Pacific as alcohol does in the Western world, used during social gatherings to promote conversation.
While the beverage does work reliably well as an anxiolytic, it is known to have an unpleasant, earthy taste. Pill capsules and tablets are growing in popularity due to their ease of use and lack of a bitter taste.
Kava root capsules can be purchased online at Amazon and other speciality retailers. They are promoted for supporting calmness, emotional well-being, sleep, pain relief and stress reduction.
Organic kava extract capsules typically contain between 100 mg to 300 mg of plant extract per serving. They vary in terms of their potency and alkaloid profile. There are also different strains and sources of this plant which can influence the experience of the user.
Anxiety
Mood
Sleep- Reduces feeling of anxiety & stress
- Improves feeling of wellbeing
- Shown to improve sleep & insomnia
Top Kava Products* ❯Kava Capsules Review
There are a wide range of types of pure kava kava capsules for sale online. Some brands also sell this ingredient in a stack formulation with other herbal mood boosters.
The most common form of this plant extract sold on Amazon is a 30% standardized kavalactone extract, provided in a dosage of either 200 mg or 250 mg per pill.
There are also kava extract root only capsules, Kavalactone 84% Liquigels, 33% 2-4-6 Kavalactone, KavaLOVEtone capsules with pure Mahakea kava root and other variations available.
In addition to the variations in active ingredient concentration and dosages, there are also different kava chemotypes or strains available. Some strains are said to be more calming and sedating while others promote feelings of happiness and physical well-being.
Some of the best-selling oral capsule products online include:
- Kona Kava Extract 30% Premium Capsules
- Source Naturals Serene Science Kava 500mg
- Now Foods Kava Kava 250mg 30% Kavalactones
- Elevated Kava Root Extract by Toniiq
- Natrol Kava Kava Capsule 200 Mg
- Hawaiian 100% Pure Kava Root Capsules
- Nature’s Answer Kava-6 Vegetarian Capsules
- Herb Pharm Kava Root Extract
- Gaia Herbs (Professional Solutions) Liquid Kava Kava Phytocaps
- Oregon’s Wild Harvest Kava Root Capsules
Kava capsule reviews on venues like Amazon seem generally favorable. Some users report decreased stress, anxiety, nervousness and restlessness. Some users say that drinking kava juice or tea before bed helps the get to sleep easier, and stay asleep longer.
Some users state that they experience feelings similar to drinking small amounts of alcohol, but without any decrease in mental functioning.
Not all users experience positive effects. Some negative reports include complaints that the product did not work for them. This may be dependant on the form of the supplement used.
Some users of kava tea bags and whole roots assert that they do not like the taste. Others say that kava has an acquired, earthy flavor they have come to enjoy.
Recommended Dosage
Most kava oral supplements provide between 200 mg to 300 mg per serving, yielding an active dose of between 60 mg to 100 mg of kavalactones.
Note that not all supplements provide the same concentration of active ingredients. It is important to follow usage guidelines provided by the manufacturer for the specific product you are purchasing.
For example, Gaia Herbs Kava Kava Root Liquid Phyto-Capsules come in a 442 mg dosage of Piper Methysticum extract yielding 75 mg of kavalactones.
This brand recommends that consumers take one capsule three times per day between meals. Gaia Herbs also recommends that users not take this product for more than one month at a time.
One high-dose product provides 700 mg of kava kava herbal extract per pill. According to the manufacturer of this product, “VH Nutrition uses an ultra potent form of Kava Kava that is four times more potent than most leading brands.”
The University of Maryland Medical Center (UMM) states that there is no safe and optimal dosage for kava that works for everyone. Different supplements have variations in their phytonutrient profile and different users may be more or less sensitive to the effects of this herb.
Some of the factors that that can influence the recommended dosage for this herbal anxiolytic include health status, diet, age, weight, use of other substances, tolerance to the herb and more.
[3] Consult with a doctor to find out a safe dosage range for you to use.
The most studied bioactive constituents in kava are called kavalactones. Formulations with 70% active kavalactones have been used for treating benzodiazepine withdrawal.
Doses between 50 mg and 300 mg daily have been used over the course of 1 week while also tapering off usage of the benzodiazepine agent. [1]
NMCD states that kava extracts have been used in 100 mg doses three times daily for anxiety. [1]
Kava is also being explored for its possible effects for cancer, psychosis, depression, chronic fatigue, venereal disease and more. [1]
While it has a long history of use in traditional medicine, this herb has not been approved by the FDA as a drug for the prevention or treatment of any medical conditions.
Water-Extracts vs. Alcohol-Extracts
NMCD states that there are currently 286 dietary supplement products available that contain kava. These include liquid extracts, tablets, capsules, powders, poultices, tea bags and whole roots.
Not all products are manufactured in the same way or sourced from the same quality of plants. Generally, products that are imported from Vanuatu, Fiji and Hawaii are considered to be the best quality.
The best kava extract supplements will be manufactured using water extraction processes; not alcohol or acetone extraction. Products made with alcohol-based solvents pose a significant risk of liver damage and should be avoided.
Also, make sure that only roots and rhizomes are used in the kava product you may choose. Look for well-established manufacturers who use organically grown plants and who provide noble strains.
Side Effects and Interactions
UMM states that kava capsules should not be given to children, pregnant women or breastfeeding mothers.
This product should only be used under a doctor’s supervision and usage should be limited to a maximum of 4 consecutive weeks before temporarily discontinuing. [2]
UMM warns against using kava supplements if you have any type of liver disease or dysfunction including hepatitis and cirrhosis. [2] This product should not be used in conjunction with alcohol.
According to the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database (NMCD), kava is rated Possibly Safe when taken orally and appropriately, under medical supervision, for periods up to 6 months. [1]
While generally well tolerated by the majority of users, side effects and drug interactions can occur. Some of the most common side effects associated with kava include stomach upset, flatulence, dizziness, drowsiness, headache and dry mouth.
Be especially careful using kava capsules if you have been diagnosed with depression, hepatitis and/or Parkinson’s disease. Talk to your doctor about using this herbal extract with any type of prescription medications.
Dangers of Kava Capsules for Sale
In the past, some kava supplements were linked to cases of severe liver toxicity and even some deaths. This resulted in the banning of sales of the herb in Canada, Germany and other countries in the early 2000s.
Those bans have been lifted in most countries today, following a World Health Organization report that found that when the herb is prepared traditionally it poses little risk of serious adverse effects.
Brands of supplements that were reported to cause liver damage were contaminated with harmful metabolites which were created during alcohol/acetone-based extraction processes. [2]
Liver toxicity may also occur if products are prepared with above-ground or aerial plant parts and not exclusively with the roots or rhizomes.
The stems of Piper methysticum are known to contain a hepatotoxic chemical. However, this compound is not found in the roots which are the part of the plant used traditional to prepare beverages. [2]
It is also important to refrain from using other drugs or alcohol when taking this herbal extract. Use of other substances that put strain on the liver could increase the risk of negative effects.
According to researchers from the University of Sydney, “Many mechanisms have been postulated to explain the unexpected toxicity, one being pharmacokinetic interactions between kavalactones and co-administered drugs involving cytochrome P450 enzyme system. Alcohol is often co-ingested in kava hepatotoxicity cases.” [2]
People interested in using kava capsules to help them relax and improve their mood are advised only to purchase supplements manufactured with a water extraction processes and made with subterranean plant parts (rhizomes and roots).
Kava users are also advised not to take high dosages of this herb, to limit their use to one month and to have regular liver enzyme tests during usage periods.
Article last updated on: July 3rd, 2018 by Nootriment