Is Kava Safe For You?

Kava (Piper methysticum) has a long history of traditional use for the treatment of symptoms related to anxiety, stress, nervous restlessness and has demonstrated effectiveness for treatment of anxiety in randomized placebo controlled trials.

Kava's popularity were due to the lack of both dependence and documented adverse effects. Kava has been promoted as an axiolytic agent with little risk for dependence or adverse reactions. An unblinded, comparative, crossover trial of kava (120 mg) and Valerian (600 mg) was conducted, each agent administered for 6 weeks with a 2 weeks period between.

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This was followed with administration of a combination of the two compounds. Both stress and insomnia were measured regarding social, personal, and life Kava 29 events. Results: the severity of stress was equally relieved by each of the two compounds and there was further improvement of insomnia with combination therapy. With kava, 67% of the subjects reported no adverse events, 53% denied adverse events with Valerian, and likewise with combination therapy. Vivid dreams were experienced by 21% of subjects taking combination therapy and 16% of those taking Valerian alone. Dizziness or gastric discomfort was reported by 3%.

In the United States and Europe, evidence of hepatic failure following the use of kava extracts is accumulating. Kava users, experienced liver failure after consuming kava extract for 2 months. Liver biopsy revealed active fulminant hepatitis with extensive necrosis and tests for viral hepatitis were negative.

A 33-year-old woman took 210 mg of kava extract for 3 weeks and discontinued the product. After 2 months, she resumed taking the same product for an additional 3-week period. Symptoms of hepatotoxicity developed a day after ingesting 60 ml of alcohol. Tests for viral hepatitis were negative and liver biopsy revealed evidence of hepatic necrosis.

According to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory letter dated March 25, 2002 warned health care providers of a total of 11 patients who had used kava products and developed liver failure requiring liver transplantation.

General consumers should be aware that Kava should not be used by anyone who has any liver problems. In addition, as well as anyone who is taking any drug product with known adverse effects on the liver, or anyone who is a regular consumer of alcohol.

Is Kava Safe For You?

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