The roots of the kava kava herb, the scientific name for which is Piper methysticum, are eaten or added to water to make a tea-like drink to treat insomnia and anxiety. People in the Pacific islands have been eating this herb for its medicinal properties for hundreds of years. The reported effects include improving mood, feelings of contentment and well-being. However, there are risks in eating this herb, as it may cause severe toxic side effects.
Risk of Liver Damage
One of the principal adverse effects that kava kava can cause is liver damage. If this herb does cause injury to the liver, the associated symptoms include nausea, vomiting and reduced appetite; pain in the upper abdomen; and excessive fatigue and weakness. The liver damage may be severe, including hepatitis, which is liver inflammation; cirrhosis, which is liver tissue scarring; and liver failure. There have also been four reports of people needing liver transplants as a result of taking kava kava, which prove that this herb can cause irreversible severe damage to the liver.
Intoxicating Effects
Drinking a beverage made with kava kava may have an intoxicating effect on the drinker much like alcohol. Because of this intoxicating effect, the University of Maryland Medical Center advises not taking kava kava while driving or operating heavy machinery. Additionally, UMMC also advises not drinking alcohol after having ingested kava kava, as the combination increases the risk of liver damage, and can cause severe impairment.
Skin and Hair Effects
Taking kava kava over a long period of time can have side effects involving the skin. Skin-related symptoms induced by kava kava include a dry, scaly rash on the skin. Additionally, the skin may take on a yellow appearance called jaundice, which is actually related to liver damage. Additionally, some people have noted unusual hair loss called alopecia after taking kava kava.
How Common Are the Adverse Effects?
The University of California San Diego reports the results of a study investigating the health effects of a daily dose of 105 mg of kavalactones, which are the active ingredients in kava kava. This study involved over 4,000 subjects who each took kavalactones daily for seven weeks. In total, only 1.5 percent of subjects experienced adverse effects with this dose of kavalactones. The Food and Drug Administration also reports that the adverse effects are rare but issued a consumer advisory in 2002 regarding use of kava kava. This advisory especially warned people who have pre-existing liver conditions about the risk of liver damage associated with kava kava.
Member Comments