Information on Kava Kava

Kava kava is the name of the plant, root and beverage made from Piper methysticum, a member of the pepper family. Common names include intoxicating pepper, kawa and ava pepper. A beverage made from mascerated kava kava roots was traditionally used in by South Pacific islanders as a ceremonial intoxicant. Kava kava is commercially available in tablets, capsules, powders and extracts.

Use

Kava kava is touted as a remedy for a number of conditions. It is commonly used internally for insomnia, asthma, menopausal symptoms and urinary tract infections, according to the official website of the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM). However, the center states that scientific evidence for these uses has not been adequately examined or the results deemed conclusive.

Active Ingredients

The National Library of Medicine's Dietary Supplements Labels Database provides the active ingredients in kava kava. The root of the kava kava plant is the part used in medicinal and ceremonial preparations. It contains alkaloids, kavalactones, mucilage and starch. Kavalactones, or kavapyrones, are the substances identified as responsible for the pharmacological effects of kava kava. They are kawain, dihydrokawain, methysticin, dihydromethysticin, yangomin and desmethoxyyangonin.

Effects

The Tang Center for Herbal Medicinal Research at the University of Chicago indicates that the active ingredients of kava do not reduce cognitive functions, unlike other central nervous system depressants. Additionally, kawain, used as a topical anesthetic, is as potent as cocaine.

Anxiety

Although prescription anti-anxiety drugs are often effective, they can create a variety of unpleasant side effects. A systematic review of the literature on the efficacy of kava kava as a treatment for anxiety was conducted by the Department of Complementary Medicine in the School of Postgraduate Medicine and Health Sciences at the University of Exeter, with the results published in the "Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacy." The data indicate that kava kava extract works better than a placebo and therefore is worth considering as a natural anti-anxiety remedy.

Liver Damage

You may have heard rumors regarding liver damage associated with the use of kava kava internally. In fact, more than 25 incidences of liver problems worldwide have been linked to kava kava. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says in their kava consumer advisory, "Although liver damage appears to be rare, FDA believes consumers should be informed of this potential risk." The FDA specifically warns that if you have a liver condition or take prescription drugs that affect the liver you should consult with your doctor to see if kava kava is contraindicated.