Can You Buy Kava Kava in the UK or is it Illegal?

Kava has been an important part of many Pacific Islanders’ cultures for hundreds of years. As a dietary supplement and herbal tea, it is also used for its relaxing and stress relieving effects.

Kava exhibits anti-anxiety effects and is sometimes used as a natural remedy for insomnia. It is also used for recreational purposes, as a social beverage with a cultural role similar to that of wine.

However, recent reports link the use of kava to a risk of liver damage and other serious side effects. As a result, this herb has been banned in the United Kingdom since January 13th, 2003.

You cannot buy Kava extracts in the UK, nor can you legally import this herb for commercial purposes. However, different online sources say that possession of Kava for personal consumption is allowed in the UK, creating some confusion for potential consumers.

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Is Kava Legal in the UK?

Kava’s legal status in the UK changed in January, 2003 when it was banned as a commercial product. This means that it is no longer legal to sell kava pills in the UK, possess for the purposes of selling, offer to sell or expose or advertise the herb for commercial purposes.

The ban was put into effect on January 13, 2003 because of fears of the risk of liver damage when taking kava supplements. According to representatives from the UK Department of Health, “The regulations also ban the importation into England, of any food consisting of, or containing, Kava-kava.”

Despite this ban being implemented in 2003, it was not widely enforced until 2015 and many shipments of Kava were successfully imported from Fiji into the UK. However, since this time, enforcement actions have been increased and kava herb is now being seized at the border and prevented from being imported, even for personal use.

Even though it is considered illegal to sell kava products in the UK, this supplement is not considered a controlled substance. This means it is technically legal to possess for personal consumption. However, due to import restrictions, you will no longer be able to buy Kava online and ship it to your residence in the United Kingdom.

Government ministries including Fiji’s Biosecurity Authority of Fiji maintain that they have not been notified of a ban on kava exports to the UK.

Some individuals on web forums give anecdotal reports saying they have had success importing the product when they buy kava outside of the UK using international websites such as eBay. However, there is a risk that your purchase will be denied entry at the border.

Why Is Kava Kava Banned in the UK?

Kava kava is banned in the UK because of reports of liver damage associated with the extract. There are multiple case reports of hepatic toxicity following consumption of herbal remedies that contained kavalactones – the active ingredient in the kava root.

At least 30 cases of liver damage, including cirrhosis, hepatitis and liver failure, have been reported after the use of kava. In some instances, consumption of this herbal extract for three months has resulted in liver failure requiring a transplant.

In some of the above cases, kava was combined with other drugs that can negatively affect liver function – such as alcohol.

Some medical professionals argue that a clear cause and effect relationship between kava and liver damage has not been established. Kava has long been used in traditional populations without reported incidence of adverse effects for liver function.

In one study, researchers reported that, “There is no evidence for serious liver damage in kava-using populations in Pacific Island societies or in Indigenous Australians who have used aqueous kava extracts.” [5]

A group of researchers have argued that higher quality processed extracts from the kava plant should only be used to reduce the risk of adverse effects on the liver. However, most research into Kava efficacy and safety has been stalled due to the reports of harmful reactions.

In a four-week trial involving 3.029 patients each given 800 mg of a 30% kavalactone extract, 2.3% of participants reported side effects that included mild, headaches, gastrointestinal issues and allergic rashes.

Other reported side effects include sedation and mental impairment. Kava should not be used before driving a car or operating other heavy machinery.

Common Kava Kava Uses

In many Pacific Island cultures, kava kava root is ground and then steeped in cold water to make a beverage. This beverage is served during important ceremonies and also served to guests during celebrations.

In western cultures and in the UK, kava kava has gained popularity because of its mildly sedating and relaxing effects. According to the Natural Medicines Database, Kava kava is taken for the following:

• Stress relief
• Anxiety and depression
• Mood enhancement
• Insomnia
• Chronic fatigue syndrome
• Headaches, including migraine headaches
• Respiratory infections such as the common cold
• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
• As a skin treatment for conditions that include leprosy

Kava has not been approved for medicinal use in the UK. Most of the above uses are based on traditional medicine practices and have not been validated by human research trials.

Extracts of kava kava have been tested in a small number of clinical studies. In one anxiety study, it was found to be as or more effective than a low-dose benzodiazepine.

Preliminary research for stress relief indicated that kava kava extract can reduce the effects of stress when faced with difficult tasks.

Research on kava kava and insomnia seems to indicate that people who suffer from anxiety-related insomnia may benefit from taking this herb each night before bed time. However, other studies have found conflicting results.

How Is Kava Kava Traditionally Used?

In traditional use, kava kava is steeped in cold water to make a drink. In many parts of the world, kava kava can now be purchased in dried and cut root form, in a powder, in liquid extract form, as a part of prepared teas and in capsule or soft gel form.

In clinical research studies, doses of kava kava that have been used include the following:

• For insomnia,100 mg kava extract taken three times daily. Another study tested the effects of 200 mg taken daily for a period of four weeks.
• For mood elevation, 300 mg was taken as a single dose.
• For depression, 250 mg kava was taken in three divided doses (two of 100 mg, one of 50 mg).
• For anxiety, 400 mg was taken daily. In another study, participants took from 150 mg to 300 mg daily.
• For benzodiazepine withdrawal, 300 mg was taken daily for one week while tapering benzodiazepine doses daily.
• For menopause symptoms that include hot flashes, 100 mg was taken per day.

Who Should Not Take Kava Kava

Kava should not be used with alcoholic beverages, as this can increase sedation and lead to a higher chance of harmful effects on liver health. In laboratory studies, liver toxicity associated with kava has been more severe when combined with acetaminophen (Tylenol, Paracetamol).

Kava can increase the risk of side effects associated with cytochrome P450 substrate drugs. These drugs are metabolized by the liver before they become effective in the body.

Many manufacturers do not recommend that kava be taken by people who are under 18. Kava kava may cause a loss of tone in the uterus and should not be taken during pregnancy.

It is possible that kava may pass into breast milk, so it is not recommended that women who are breastfeeding take kava products.

While possession of Kava in the UK is not considered illegal, it is difficult to buy this product if you live in the UK. Other legal alternatives are available, including GABA supplements, L-Theanine, Valerian Root, Peppermint Oil, 5-HTP and Lemon Balm.

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