According to the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), the medicinal herb kava has been used for centuries in the South Pacific. Since the 1700s, this potent product has steadily gained popularity in Europe and North America. In the U.S., kava is most commonly used as a treatment for anxiety; NIH notes that studies have found it to be as effective as prescription drugs such as Valium and Buspar for the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Nevertheless, kava remains extremely controversial as a treatment option. Multiple case reports have linked kava extract to serious liver damage and death. NIH notes that some health-care providers believe that kava root extract is safe when it is used as recommended. Anyone interested in taking kava root extract should carefully follow expert guidelines to avoid the risk of a serious complication.
Step 1
Consult a qualified health-care provider. Your health-care provider will likely recommend against the use of kava root extract if you have any form of liver disease, drink regularly or take prescription drugs. Women who are pregnant or nursing should avoid all supplements containing kava.
Step 2
Purchase a water-soluble kava root extract. According to Jerome Sarris of the University of Queensland, clinical trials suggest that liver damage is associated with ethanol-soluble kava root extracts, not traditional water-soluble formulas. The Therapeutic Goods Administration---the Australian equivalent of the U.S. FDA---has approved the over-the-counter sale of water-soluble kava root extracts.
Step 3
Take 50 mg of kavalactones daily at bedtime. If this dose is insufficient, consult your health-care provider about gradually increasing your dose. According to the National Institutes of Health, most human studies have involved no more than 280 mg of kava daily. Do not exceed your health-care provider's recommendations.
Step 4
Avoid all prescription and over-the-counter drugs while taking kava root extract. The National Institutes of Health note that kava can interact dangerously with alcohol, sedatives, acetominophen, MAOI and SSRI antidepressants, blood thinners, opiates, electroconvulsive therapy, chemotherapy and birth control pills. Kava can also interact with drugs used for anesthesia; discontinue kava at least three weeks prior to surgery.
Step 5
Stop taking kava after four to eight weeks. Chronic use of kava root extract may increase the likelihood of serious health problems, such as hemorrhage, seizures, psychosis, kidney damage and skin disease. Milder herbs, such as chamomile and valerian, may present a safer long-term treatment option for people with severe anxiety disorders.
Tips and Warnings
- Consider using a certified organic kava root extract. These products have a lighter impact on the environment and contain fewer contaminants.
- Consult your health-care provider immediately if you experience any signs of liver disease while taking kava. Liver failure symptoms may include jaundice, pale stools, abdominal pain and lethargy.
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