What is kava extract

What is Kava? Read more about importation of kava. How is it used? Pacific Islands Traditionally, Pacific Islanders crushed, chewed and ground the root and stump of the shrub, then soaked it in cold water to produce a drink for ceremonies and cultural practices.

Kava affects everyone differently, based on: size, weight and health whether the person is used to taking it whether other drugs are taken around the same time the amount taken the strength of the drug.

The following effects may be experienced: feeling happy and relaxed mild sleepiness numb mouth and throat reduced or loss of appetite. Path2Help Not sure what you are looking for? Find out more. Thomson N. Review of the misuse of kava among Indigenous people. University of Maryland Medical Centre. Michigan Medicine. The root of the plant is traditionally used to make beverages that have a mild to moderate sedative effects.

It is also said to elicit feelings of euphoria. In some traditional cultures, kava is consumed in the same way that alcoholic beverages are here. Today, many people buy kava supplement to treat anxiety. Although kava in its traditional form poses an "acceptably low level of health risk" according to the World Health Organization WHO , kava extracts and supplements may cause liver toxicity if overused or consumed on an ongoing basis.

Beyond its recreational and ceremonial use, kava is commonly used in alternative medicine as a natural anxiolytic anxiety-reducing drug. It may also improve sleep in people with insomnia, often with fewer side effects than pharmaceutical or over-the-counter sleep aids. The compounds in kava root believed to offer mood-altering properties are called kavalactones.

Little research has been done to pinpoint their exact mechanisms of action or evaluate which compounds are more active than others. The current body of evidence suggests that kava may aid in the treatment of anxiety, although there remains contention as to how effective a drug it really is. According to a review of studies involving seven clinical trials and people, kava was deemed to be an "effective symptomatic treatment option for anxiety," even though the effect was considered "small" by the researchers.

The findings were supported by a review from Australia in which kava was considered more effective in treating generalized anxiety disorder GAD than a placebo. Most of the research devoted to the use of kava for insomnia is limited to animal studies. It is believed that a specific type of kavalactone, called kevain, may provide the drug's sedative effect.

Of the available human research, one small study from Germany concluded that people provided a daily milligram kava extract experienced significant relief from insomnia after 14 days. Despite the promising results, the conclusions were undermined by the subjective nature of "quality of sleep" questionnaire.

Based on the study measures, even people provided a placebo had significant improvements in sleep. The use of kava remains controversial. While proponents believe that kava can be safely used for the short-term treatment of anxiety, others contend that the potential risks far outweigh the benefits.

Even for short-term use, side effects like indigestion, mouth numbness, rash, headache, drowsiness, and visual disturbances are common. In March , the U. Food and Drug Administration FDA warned consumers and health professionals about the risk of liver damage associated with kava use. Many of these cases were linked to pre-existing liver disease, excessive kava doses, and heavy alcohol use.

It is still unclear whether the liver toxicity was the result of kavalactones, contaminants found in low-quality extracts, or the organic solvents such as acetone or ethanol used to make kava extracts and supplements. Even though the WHO suggests that water-based kava beverages are "safer," the agency concedes that moderate to heavy consumption can significantly raise liver enzymes.

The WHO also warned that toxicity appears linked to the quality of the raw kava root, contamination of the root during storage, and the use of other herbal drugs with kava. In the aftermath of the warning, several countries have restricted the sale of kava within their borders. To date, only Germany, Canada, Poland, and Switzerland has banned the use of kava in any form. The use of kava has been linked to liver injury that is sometimes serious or even fatal. The exact cause and frequency of the liver damage are unclear.

Kava can cause digestive upset, headache, dizziness, and other side effects. The use of kava may affect the ability to drive or operate machinery.

Long-term use of high doses of kava may cause kava dermopathy, a condition that involves dry, scaly, flaky skin with a yellow discoloration. Kava may have special risks if taken during pregnancy or while breastfeeding because of the presence of harmful pyrone constituents. Keep in Mind. Take charge of your health—talk with your health care providers about any complementary health approaches you use. Together, you can make shared, well-informed decisions.

For More Information. Toll-free in the U. Office of Dietary Supplements ODS , National Institutes of Health NIH ODS seeks to strengthen knowledge and understanding of dietary supplements by evaluating scientific information, supporting research, sharing research results, and educating the public.

Key References. Liver transplantation and the use of kava: case report. More recently, kava has received widespread attention for its relaxing and stress-reducing properties. However, it has been linked with several health concerns, raising questions about its safety 1. Kava is a tropical evergreen shrub with heart-shaped leaves and woody stems. Its scientific name is Piper methysticum. Pacific cultures traditionally use the kava drink during rituals and social gatherings.

To make it, people first grind its roots into a paste. It is largely unknown how kavalactones produce these effects, but they appear to work by affecting neurotransmitters in the brain. Neurotransmitters are chemicals that nerves release to communicate with each other. One of these neurotransmitters is gamma-aminobutyric acid GABA , which decreases the activity of nerves 10 , Anxiety disorders are among the most common psychiatric disorders today.

They are commonly treated with talk therapy, medications or both 12 , Many types of medications are available, but they may come with unwanted side effects and can be habit-forming This has increased the demand for presumably safe, natural remedies like kava. The first long-term study investigating the effects of kava extract in people with anxiety was published in The researchers also noted no side effects related to withdrawal or dependency, whereas these effects are common with other drugs often used to treat anxiety Since this study, several other studies have demonstrated the benefits of kava on anxiety.

A review of 11 of these studies concluded that kava extract is an effective treatment for anxiety Recent research has continued to find evidence that kava is effective for anxiety 18 , 19 , A lack of sleep is linked to many medical issues, including high blood pressure, diabetes, depression, obesity and cancer 21 , 22 , 23 , Realizing this, many people turn to sleep medications to help them sleep better.

Like drugs used to treat anxiety, sleep medications may become habit-forming, resulting in physical dependence In one study in 24 people, kava was found to reduce stress and insomnia, compared to a placebo However, both the researchers and participants knew whether they were receiving kava or a placebo.