Kava kava is made from the root of Piper methysticum, a pepper plant native to the South Pacific areas of Polynesia, Melanesia, and Micronesia. In a 1994 article, experts at Hawaii's Tripler Medical Center describe the kava beverage as inducing a mild state of intoxication. Pacific Islanders have used it historically in ceremonies, and drink it at social gatherings today. However, there is limited scientific evidence that kava is effective in treating health problems. The Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database notes that there have been reports of liver toxicity, liver failure, and death associated with kava. Consult a physician before using this or any naturopathic medication.
Anxiety
Kava acts as a depressant to the central nervous system, and is used for its calming effects, according to the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. Kava lactones are believed to be the psycho-active compounds in the kava herb. In a report published in the February 2000 issue of the "Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology," medical researchers in the United Kingdom reviewed seven studies on kava for anxiety. They concluded that kava is promising as an alternative to synthetic drugs, and encouraged more research. The Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database reports that the concentrations of kava used in most clinical trials are significantly higher than doses found in over-the-counter products.
Menopause and Mood
The Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database notes two clinical trials that investigated the use of kava for anxiety and mood disturbance related to menopause. A 1991 German study treated menopausal women with kava for eight weeks, and after one week, participants reported decreased feelings of anxiety and depression; researchers found that kava was generally well tolerated. In a 2003 clinical trial, researchers at the University of Modena in Italy concluded that kava significantly reduced anxiety in perimenopausal women. The Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database considers kava to be "possibly" effective in the treatment of general anxiety and menopause-associated anxiety.
Benzodiazepine Withdrawal
The Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database reports that kava may be effective in the treatment of withdrawal from benzodiazepines --- commonly prescribed anti-anxiety drugs, or tranquilizers, including Alprazolam and Clonazepam. A 2000 study published in a German psychopharmacology journal suggested that kava was just as effective as benzodiazepines in the treatment of non-psychotic anxiety disorders --- without problems associated with benzodiazepine withdrawal, such as pain and paranoia. During a 15-week period, participants' benzodiazepine doses were gradually stopped and replaced with kava, with participants reporting continued control of their symptoms.
References
- Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database: Kava
- PubMed: Kava Dermopathy
- PubMed: Efficacy of kava extract for treating anxiety: systematic review and meta-analysis
- PubMed: Psychosomatic dysfunctions in the female climacteric. Clinical effectiveness and tolerance of Kava Extract WS 1490 [Article in German]
- PubMed: Kava-Kava administration reduces anxiety in perimenopausal women
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