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For hundreds of years, people in the South Pacific and Europe have used the kava herb root socially and ceremonially. A drink made from this western Pacific plant has a sedative and euphoriant effect.
Historically, kava root extract was used in ceremonies to welcome dignitaries, but today it is taken for a variety of medical reasons and enjoyed recreationally. Kava herb extracts have been shown to reduce feelings of anxiety and may promote sleep.
Despite its long history of traditional use, recent research has demonstrated a high risk of side effects from consuming this herb. Long-term use can result in liver damage and other serious adverse effects.
Kava kava is legal in the United States as a dietary supplement despite warnings issued by the Food and Drug Administration about its use. Before using herbal products made with Kava, consult with a doctor to find out if this supplement is safe for you.
Anxiety
Mood
Sleep- Reduces feeling of anxiety & stress
- Improves feeling of wellbeing
- Shown to improve sleep & insomnia
Top Kava Products* ❯How Does the Kava Herb Work?
When ingested orally, Kava directly affects the central nervous system, and more specifically the brain. [1] The active ingredient in this herb is kavalactones, which are a class of are a class of lactone compounds that have been isolated from the roots of this shrub.
18 different kavalactone compounds have been identified in kava herbal extracts. They give the plant its analgesic, amnestic, anxiolytic and psychoactive effects.
Taking this herb will increase GABA receptor activity in the brain. GABA is the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system.
In research studies, kava extracts have been shown to increase the sensitivity of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) type-A receptors. When there is more stimulation of GABA receptors, this can result in feelings of sedation, calmness and relaxation.
Alcohol produces its characteristic effects by mimicking GABA in the brain. The reduced social and behavioral inhibition, decreased alertness and characteristic state of relaxation caused by alcohol are mediated by alcohol’s effects on GABA-A receptors.
Kava may inhibit other neurotransmitters, as well, such as norepinephrine and dopamine. [2] It has been shown to diminish the release of certain excitatory neurotransmitter and is also a reversible monoamine oxidase B inhibitor.
As a result, consuming preparations of the Kava herb can cause a positive effect on mood and reduce feelings of anxiousness and stress. In user reviews, excessive dosages are purported to cause a “high” feeling. This can be dangerous as it may lead to impaired judgement or motor control.
Kava Herb Benefits
People have used kava orally to treat stress, insomnia, restlessness, depression and headaches, although the herb is not approved by the FDA for any medical treatment. [3]
Topically, kava may help relieve the pain of skin diseases like leprosy and promote wound healing. It has been used in traditional medicine as a poultice for otitis and abscesses.
When taken, it provides a euphoric feeling much like alcohol, but without the loss of mental clarity at low doses. For this reason, it is sometimes used as a nootropic supplement.
The roots of the Kava herb exhibit an analgesic and sedative effect that some people have used as a natural way to relieve anxiety. While this herb does offer some relief, the risks may outweigh any potential benefit.
The Natural Medicines Database rates this herb as possibly effective as a treatment for anxiety. Other claims like its use for wound healing or to relieve the symptoms of ADHD are unproven.
There is some clinical research to show that it may help relieve the symptoms of benzodiazepine withdrawal, but more studies are necessary. Most of the current evidence is unreliable or insufficient to rate its efficacy for other medicinal uses.
The FDA has not approved Kava for the treatment of anxiety or any other medical condition. The FDA has issued a warning about the safety of kava kava herb, also known as Piper methysticum.
The agency warns of the potential risk of liver injury with supplements containing kava extracts. This includes products to promote relaxation, sleeplessness and to relieve menopausal symptoms.
Safety Concerns for the Kava Herb
The FDA has issued a warning about the safety of kava herbal products. The agency states there is a potential risk of liver injury when consuming supplements containing kava for any reason. It is especially dangerous if used long-term. There is a risk of death from using high doses of kava for long periods of time.
Due to its risk of adverse effects, the herb is banned in a number of countries, including Switzerland, Germany and Canada.
Despite this, Kava supplements and teas are generally well tolerated when used at appropriate doses by health adults. The top-selling Kava product on Amazon.com – Yogi Herbal Kava Stress Relief Tea – has over 4,000 user reviews with an average customer rating of 4.6 stars.
Some researchers argue that certain forms of Kava are safer than other forms. A research group in Australia argues that the boiled and peeled roots of aged Kava plants do not contain the harmful chemicals believed to cause hepatotoxicity.
Patients with problems metabolizing drugs or with a known liver disease should avoid kava. It should not be used by women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, as there is a concern that the pyrone constituents in this herb could cause side effects.
You should not take kava if you are taking a dopamine agonist such as levodopa. It may enhance some of the side effects of these drugs.
Kava herb root should not be combined with alcohol or any psychotropic medicines used to treat psychiatric illnesses or mood disorders. It is possible to build up a tolerance to the herb, so it becomes less effective over time. [4]
Potential Side Effects from Kava Extract
Side effects associated with kava include:
- Dizziness
- Daytime sleeping
- Drowsiness
- Upset stomach
- Tremors
Long-term use may lead to signs of liver failure such as:
- Yellowing skin
- Hair loss
- Loss of appetite
You may notice a decrease in hearing, as well. [5]
Kava Root Dosage Guide
Given the potential risks of taking this herb, it is important to consult with a doctor before using Kava products to find out what dosage is best for you or whether you should avoid this herb entirely.
Kava is typically used in tablet form, as a liquid tincture, bulk powder, paste or prepared as a tea. In some parts of the world, the kava root is chewed directly.
There is no safe dosage level of kava for long-term use; however, 300mg of the extract taken in three separate doses per day has been well-tolerated in clinical trials lasting up to six months.
In some cases, doses as high as 800mg have been used for short periods. However, this dosage should only be taken under medical supervision. Higher doses may not be more effective and may increase the risk of side effects.
Some medical professionals recommend getting regular tests of liver enzymes when using Kava to prevent adverse reactions.
Practitioners that do recommend kava usually advise their patients to start with a low dose. For anxiety, treatments range from 50 to 400mg daily in multiple doses.
You should not take kava for more than four weeks, unless instructed to do so by a physician. There have been reports of liver failure requiring a transplant associated with its long-term use. It can lead to hepatitis, cirrhosis and liver damage.
Kava should not be given to children. There is no evidence to support it is either effective or safe for pediatric use.
The Kava herb can interact with prescription medications and may worsen symptoms of certain health conditions. If you do take this supplement, it may be necessary to see a physician regularly to test for liver function.
- Kava - WebMD
- CNS Drugs, Yadhu N. Singh, Nirbhay N. Singh, Therapeutic Potential of Kava in the Treatment of Anxiety Disorders, November 2002, Volume 16.
- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Safety Alerts for Human Medical Products Kava (Piper methysticum), March 2006.
- WebMD, Kava - Topic Overview
- University of Maryland Medical Center, Steven D. Ehrlich, NMD, Kava kava, May 2014.
Article last updated on: March 12th, 2018 by Nootriment
1 Comment
A really bad article that has cherry picked all of the herbs negatives. The human body can build a tolerance to Almost every drug or even food such as caffeine and even alcohol, why did the TGA and FDA approve it? Simply because when compared to all other anti anxiety or pain relieving medications Kava comes out on top with the most effect with the least amount of physical and psychological side effects.
The few cases of liver damage occurred in isolated incidents in Australia when Kava was excessively consumed by 3-4 people who already had cirrhosis of the liver due to drug and alcohol abuse. These subjects were known long term drug addicts and alcoholics. Nothing is 100% safe, so whenever you consume something you need to asses the real risk to benefits. This is why Kava was sppprovef. You cannot go around and ban everything, if you took this approach there would be little medicine left or food to eat for the daily consumer.