The scientific name for kava, a member of the pepper family, is Piper methysticum. The word "kava" refers to both the kava plant and the traditional Polynesian milky beverage prepared from its roots. Purported to produce a state of relaxation, consumers can buy capsules, tablets, tinctures and extracts made from the kava root.
History
Kava, native to the island of Vanuatu, has a long history of ceremonial and recreational use in the South Pacific that dates back hundreds of years. Polynesians made an intoxicating drink from macerated kava roots and cold water. Research performed by Armando Gonzalez Stuart from the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) notes that the ceremonial use of kava--and its potentially liver toxic effects--were first described in the 1700s by a botanist traveling with English explorer Captain James Cook.
Active Components
Kavalactones are kava's active components. The National Center for Toxicological Research, a division of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, identifies the six major kavalactones as methysticin, dihydromethysticin, kavain, dihydrokavain, yangonin and desmethoxyyangonin.
Benefits
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) gives kava an "A" grade for the treatment of anxiety. Grade "A" indicates "strong scientific evidence for this use." In fact, the therapeutic effect of kava produces results similar to the generic prescription medications diazepam and buspirone.
Dosage
Adult patients build up a tolerance to kava. According to the NIH, "many doctors recommend starting with a low dose and gradually increasing intake over time." They go on to advise that an established dose ranges from 50 to 280 mg of kavalactones, taken before you go to bed. Check the kava supplement's label for kavalactone content. Kava is not recommended for children.
Warning
The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) states that the use of kava as a dietary supplement is linked to "at least 25 cases of liver toxicity, including hepatitis, cirrhosis and liver failure" around the world. They concede that damage of this severity is rare, but believe consumers should be aware of this risk, especially those with pre-existing liver conditions.
Drug Interaction
Kava may react negatively and/or enhance the potency of a variety of prescription drugs. The NIH warns that people taking medications including, but not limited to, MAO inhibitors, blood thinners, anti-coagulants, ACE inhibitors, opioid analgesics, dopamine blockers, anti-cancer drugs and birth control pills should not take supplements with kava listed in the ingredients.
References
- National Institutes of Health: Kava (Piper methysticum G. Forst)
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Kava Linked to Liver Damage
- University of Texas at El Paso: Herbal Safety, Detailed Information: Kava Kava
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Kava Kava
- National Center for Toxicological Research: Determination of six kavalactones in dietary supplements.
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