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Kava - Side Effects
© Steven Foster
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Common names:
Kava kavaBotanical names:
Piper methysticumParts Used & Where Grown
Kava is a member of the pepper family and is native to many Pacific Ocean islands. The rhizome (underground stem) is used in modern herbal preparations.
Caution: Kava should be taken only with medical supervision. Its safe use is not established.
Traditional Use (May Not Be Supported by Scientific Studies)
A nonalcoholic drink made from the root of kava played an important role in social ceremonies in some Pacific islands, including welcoming visiting royalty and at meetings of village elders. Kava was valued both for its mellowing effects and to encourage socializing. It was also noted for initiating a state of contentment, a greater sense of well-being, and enhanced mental acuity, memory, and sensory perception. Kava has also been used traditionally by healers in the Pacific islands to treat pain.
Also indexed as:
- botanicals,
- herbal dietary supplements,
- herbal medicine,
- herbal remedies,
- herbal therapy,
- herbalism,
- kava,
- Piper methysticum,
- plant Medicine
About this treatment
Common names:
Kava kavaBotanical names:
Piper methysticumSide Effects
In November 2001, German authorities announced that 24 cases of liver disease (including hepatitis, liver failure, and cirrhosis) associated with the use of kava had been reported in Germany; of these, one person died and three required a liver transplant.
Prior to this report, it had been widely believed that kava did not cause any serious side effects. The 1998 edition of the German Commission E Monographs, considered to be an authoritative source on herbal medicines, does not mention liver disease in its discussion of kava’s side effects. Since that time, four case reports of kava-related liver toxicity have appeared in medical journals. In two of these cases, severe liver failure resulted in the need for a liver transplant. Most, though not all, of the individuals who developed liver damage while taking kava were also taking at least one other medication that has been associated with liver injury. That raises the possibility that these other drugs, rather than kava, may have been responsible for the problem in some cases. It is also conceivable that kava interacts with some of these drugs, thereby increasing their toxicity. However, some of the cases of kava-related liver disease cannot be explained by the concomitant use of other drugs.
The possibility that kava can cause liver damage is supported by a survey of an Aboriginal community in Australia. Although occasional users of kava in this community generally had normal liver function, laboratory evidence of liver injury was quite common among heavy users of the herb. Furthermore, the risk of liver damage was directly related to the amount of kava consumed. It is not clear how relevant these findings are to other communities, since the overall health of the Aborigines who were studied was relatively poor.
It is also unclear whether kava is safe when taken in “normal” amounts. A recent survey of 400 German medical practices revealed that 78% of the kava prescriptions that were written significantly exceeded the recommended amount. However, some of the 24 patients reported to German authorities were not exceeding the manufacturer’s recommended level of intake when they developed liver disease. In addition, in two of the four published case reports, the amount of kava used was equal to or only slightly higher than the manufacturer’s recommendation. Therefore, one cannot assume that the recommended level of intake of kava is safe for all individuals.
Health authorities worldwide are considering or implementing a ban on kava. Until additional information clarifies the extent of the risk involved, it is strongly recommended that all individuals consult their physician before taking kava. In addition, based on the available information, it seems that people with liver disease and those taking medications that have the potential to damage the liver should not take kava.
In recommended amounts, the most common side effect from kava use is mild gastrointestinal disturbances in some people. Kava may temporarily turn the skin yellow, according to some case studies. If this occurs, people should discontinue kava use. In rare cases, an allergic skin reaction, such as a rash, may occur. Enlargement of the pupils has also been reported after long-term use of kava. In the amounts discussed above, kava does not appear to be addictive.
Kava is not recommended for use by pregnant or breast-feeding women.
Last Review: 05-11-2011
Copyright © 2011 Aisle7. All rights reserved. www.Aisle7.net
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The information presented in Aisle7 is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires June 2011.
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