Kava Paste Review, Dosage Guide & How to Take Safely

Kava Paste is a highly potent formulation of kava extract used both orally and topically on the skin.

Piper Methysticum (also known as kava kava), native to islands in the Pacific Ocean, is a tall shrub with large leaves and long flowers. The roots are the part of the plant used in complementary medicine.

Throughout history, dried kava roots were infused into beverages to create an effect like alcohol. This drink was consumed in social settings or during ceremonial rituals to promote relaxation, mental ease and mood-lifting effects.

The roots of the kava plant contain active ingredients called kavalactones including dihydrokawain, methysticum, and kawain. [1] These constiuents demonstrated anxiety-reducing effects in the brain and may have mild pain-reducing and tranquilizing effects.

The raw roots typically contain 3% – 20% kavalactones and dietary supplements are typically standardized to 30%. Some kava paste products sold online can contain as much as 55% to 84% lactones per dose, meaning that a smaller amount can be used to achieved desired effects.

There are two main types of pastes on the market: isolated extracts which contain only certain kavalactones found in the plant and full-spectrum which include all 18 active kavalactone compounds. The full spectrum extracts are purported to be stronger.

Kava paste may not be appropriate for everyone to use. Continue reading to learn about the effects, benefits, how to take this product as well as the possible safety risks associated with low-quality products.

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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Kava Paste Uses

Kava paste is a water-based paste made from the ground roots of the Piper Methysticum plant. The processing of this plant extract is reported to significantly enhance the concentration of active alkaloids.

According to one source, it can take 4,500 lb of raw Kava roots to yield 200 kg of the paste. Because the paste can contain anywhere from 55% to 84% kavalactones concentration, the dosage required to achieve beneficial effects is significantly smaller compared to other forms of this product.

Many of these pastes are processed in a way that preserves the full spectrum of active alkaloids and phytochemicals found in the raw roots or ground powder.

According to one manufacturer, “Using supercritical C02 cold extraction technology, the paste is not only made exclusively from the roots, but crafted as a FULL SPECTRUM 55% extract, rather than an extract consisting only of isolated kavalactones.”

Kava paste products are promoted for relaxation, quieting overactive thoughts, sleep, muscle relaxation and for alleviating feelings of social anxiety. It is advertised as a non-addictive natural herb ” making everyone relax and stop worrying.”

Most commonly, consumers use kava paste for stress, anxiety disorders, insomnia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and restlessness because of its antianxiety properties.

According to the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, natural medicine practitioners have recommended this product for asthma, pain relief, headaches and urinary tract infections as well.

Kava paste has also been used topically to treat ear infections, dental abscesses, toothaches, canker sores, wounds, and skin conditions. These medicinal uses have not been evaluated or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

55% Kava Paste Effects and Benefits

Research shows that kava kava extracts have anxiolytic, sedative and analgesic effects. In research studies, they have been shown to enhance GABA signalling in the brain and to affect the limbic system without causing overall Central Nervous System depression.

Users who take this product orally in the form of a paste often report that they experience slightly numbness of their tongue and face following consumption. This effect is considered to be desirable as it demonstrates that the product is working.

Kava may be effective in the treatment of anxiety according to several clinical trials. In these placebo controlled double blind studies, patients showed an improvement in anxiety symptoms over those receiving the placebo [2].

According to some studies, kava is more effective in females than males and more effective in younger patients than in older patients [3]. In some comparative research studies, it appears to be as effective as low-dose benzodiazepine treatment.

The efficacy of kava in treating sleep abnormalities associated with anxiety has also been studied. A 2004 multicenter, randomized, double-blind study found that kava effectively improved sleep over the placebo group [4].

The benefits of kava paste in other uses have not been validated through clinical research. In some cases, preliminary results are contradictory. In other cases, there are initial results suggesting benefit for menopause, cancer and benzodiazepine withdrawal, but more research is required to make any determinations about efficacy.

Dosages and How to Take

Kava paste is ground kava root mixed with water and is applied topically or swallowed orally in a capsule. It is also sometimes used sublingually (by placing a small amount under the tongue).

Consumers often wonder how to use kava paste safely and appropriately. For convenience and ease of measuring dosages, first-time users often begin with taking this herbal product in the form of oral capsules, liquid tinctures or teas.

Bulk kava kava powders are also becoming a popular option for people who want to brew this extract into a beverage at home. These powders can also be mixed into water or blended into a smoothie.

Users generally only start taking this product in paste form after they have had some initial experience with other formulations of the product. The paste is significantly more potent than other versions of the product that are commonly used, which means dosages will need to be adjusted.

When taken orally, typical dosage may range from 50 – 300mg daily divided into several doses. The optimal dose to take will depend on your reasons for using it, age, bodyweight, health status and whether you are a fast or slow metaboliser.

According to the manufacturers of one 55% full spectrum Kava paste extract, the recommended serving side is 1/8th of a teaspoon which yields 155mg of kavalactone. They recommend mixing the paste with food, stirring it into a drink or placing it directly on the tongue.

The manufacturer recommends taking this product no more than twice a day, for a maximum daily dose of 290 mg. They also recommend that users only take this product for three months at a time, followed by a two-week break before resuming your use.

If used on the skin, the paste is applied to an area of high absorption such as the inside of the wrists. For toothache or dental abscess, kava is applied directly to the tooth. Some consumers apply the paste directly to wounds in order to expedite the healing process.

Because kava may cause liver toxicity, it should only be used under the direction of a healthcare provider. Liver toxicity has only been associated with the use of oral non-water-based extracts in the past, but seeking medical direction is imperative for safety.

Kava should not be used in pediatric patients. The medicinal use of this herbal extract is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration and should always be overseen by a medical professional.

Negative Side Effects

The United States Food and Drug Administration has issued a warning regarding the risk of hepatotoxicty with kava use and suspended NCCIH-funded studies. The risks associated with consumption of kava include:

• Hepatotoxicity; liver damage including liver failure, hepatitis, and/or death
• Dystonia; abnormal muscle spasms or movements
• Drug interactions; kava may interact with multiple drugs, especially those used to treat Parkinson’s disease

There have been multiple cases of liver toxicity linked to use of this herbal product in Europe. However, some researchers believe these cases were caused by poorly manufactured Kava extracts and are not due to the properties of the herb itself.

According to the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, ” Many natural medicine experts still believe that kava is safe at recommended doses, and data from short-term postmarketing surveillance studies and clinical trials suggest that adverse events in general are rare, mild, and reversible.”

To ensure safety, it is important to follow all dosage and usage guidelines provided by the manufacturer and never take this supplement for more than three months at a time. Always use high quality water-extracts of this product from GMP compliant companies and avoid purchasing from discount brands.

Other possible side effects can include headaches, stomach distress and allergic reactions. In one research trial involving 3,029 patients taking 800mg of a 30% kavalactone extract daily for four months, only 2.3% of study subjects reported experiencing mild adverse effects.

Kava is sometimes abused as a recreational drug and may cause slowed reaction times and/or drowsiness. People should avoid driving or operating heavy machinery while using this herb to promote relaxation and stress relief [5].

Because of the serious side effects associated with oral kava kava, users should seek direction from their healthcare provider before using this herb medicinally.

User Reviews

User reviews of Kava paste products demonstrate that many experience positive effects on mood balance, pain, anxiousness and sleep when taking this product appropriately. The following reviews have been posted online>

“Every few years I have times of stress along with insomnia and mild depression. I find that two 1/8 tsp. doses of kava kava daily works better than previously prescribed antidepressants or relaxants such as Zoloft or Paxil.”

“I use this product when I have acute pain flares casued by C6/T5 vertebra bone spurs…The pain immobilizes me. After taking this much more concentrated product it is much more efficient at pain reduction, muscle relaxation, and curbing mental aggravation.”

“Kava has helped my husband with anxiety and panic attacks…Overall, he seems calmer with handling daily activities. He is sleeping much more sound.”

“Great for anxiety, sleep aid, and muscle relaxation.”

Kava paste has been banned in several countries but is both legal and widely available in the United States. Consumers can purchase kava paste inexpensively online without a prescription.

Any consumer considering the use of this plant extract, whether topically or orally, should consult their healthcare provider to ensure the dosage is both safe and effective and will not interact with any other medications or treatments.

Because there have been cases of hepatotoxicity following the use of kava kava, consumers should take special care to purchase high-quality products and to comply with their doctor’s orders without variance.

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