Kava, or kava kava, is an herb that comes from a tall shrub that is a member of the pepper family. Native to the South Pacific islands, Kava was historically made into a beverage and played a key ceremonial role in both religious and civil rituals. Today, kava is commonly used to treat anxiety, insomnia and symptoms of menopause; however, there are some safety concerns associated with the use of kava.
History
Kava was used in both Samoa and Fiji, playing an important role in the culture of these islands. In Fiji, kava was originally chewed, but eventually grated and steeped in water. The chief drank first, followed by high-ranking members of the community. In Samoa, the kava was prepared by a young woman. She chewed the kava and then added water to it. The kava was strained and consumed at both ceremonial and social occasions, according to JaneResture.com.
Function
The active ingredients in kava, kavalactones or kavapyrones, have been found to relieve pain, relax muscles, promote sleep, and relieve convulsions in animal studies. Human studies have found that kava is an effective treatment for anxiety. The effects of kava dissipate once the kavalactones are fully metabolized, according to "Saccade and Cognitive Function in Chronic Kava Users," published in "Neuropsychopharmacology" in February 2003.
Significance
The kava root elevates mood and produces a feeling of well-being and relaxation, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Multiple studies illustrate the effectiveness of kava for anxiety, both in the short term and for general anxiety disorder. It is possible that kava works on the brain in ways similar to Valium; however, kava does not impair cognitive function
Warning
The FDA has issued a warning linking kava usage to liver injury, including hepatitis, cirrhosis and liver failure, with at least 25 reports of liver complications. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, kava should only be taken under the supervision of your healthcare provider and you should watch carefully for signs of liver failure, including jaundice, fatigue or abdominal pain.
Avoid taking kava if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or taking certain medications, including anti-anxiety medications, anti-convulsants or diuretics. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine has suspended testing of kava due to these risks.
Dosage
There is no known safe dosage of kava, but scientific testing has typically used a dosage of 150 mg to 300 mg, taken up to three times daily as needed for anxiety or nervousness, reports the University of Maryland. Choose a preparation standardized to contain 30 to 70 percent kavalactones. You can also boil 2 to 4 grams of dried kava root in water and drink in the traditional way.
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