Lynn Smythe
Herbs at a Glance - Kava
November 25th 2007 08:13
Kava Plant. Photograph by Forest & Kim Starr.
This fact sheet provides basic information about the herb kava—common names, uses, potential side effects, and resources for more information. Kava is native to the islands of the South Pacific and is a member of the pepper family.
Common Names—kava kava, awa, kava pepper
Latin Name—Piper methysticum
What It Is Used For• Kava has been used as a ceremonial beverage in the South Pacific for centuries.
• Kava has also been used to help people fall asleep and fight fatigue, as well as to treat asthma and urinary tract infections.
• Topically (on the skin), kava has been used as a numbing agent.
• Today, kava is used primarily for anxiety, insomnia, and menopausal symptoms.
How It Is Used
The root and rhizome (underground stem) of kava are used to prepare beverages, extracts, capsules, tablets, and topical solutions.
What the Science Says
• Although scientific studies provide some evidence that kava may be beneficial for the management of anxiety, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning that using kava supplements has been linked to a risk of severe liver damage.
• Kava is not a proven therapy for other uses.
• NCCAM-funded studies on kava were suspended after the FDA issued its warning.
Side Effects and Cautions
• Kava has been associated with several cases of dystonia (abnormal muscle spasm or involuntary muscle movements).
• Kava may interact with several drugs, including drugs used for Parkinson's disease.
• Long-term and/or heavy use of kava may result in scaly, yellowed skin.
• Avoid driving and operating heavy machinery while taking kava because the herb has been reported to cause drowsiness.
• Tell your health care providers about any herb or dietary supplement you are using, including kava. This helps to ensure safe and coordinated care.
Sources
National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Kava Linked to Liver Damage. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine Web site. Accessed at Really Long Link on March 30, 2006.
Kava. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Web site. Accessed at http://www.naturaldatabase.com on March 30, 2006.
Kava (Piper methysticum G. Forst). Natural Standard Database Web site. Accessed at http://www.naturalstandard.com on March 30, 2006.
Kava kava rhizome (root). In: Blumenthal M, Goldberg A, Brinckman J, eds. Herbal Medicine: Expanded Commission E Monographs. Newton, MA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2000:221-225.
Kava (Piper methysticum). In: Coates P, Blackman M, Cragg G, et al., eds. Encyclopedia of Dietary Supplements. New York, NY: Marcel Dekker; 2005:373-380.
Pittler MH, Ernst E. Kava extract versus placebo for treating anxiety. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2003. Accessed at http://www.cochrane.org on April 25, 2006.
This publication is not copyrighted and is in the public domain. Duplication is encouraged. NCCAM has provided this material for your information. It is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your primary health care provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with your health care provider. The mention of any product, service, or therapy is not an endorsement by NCCAM.
National Institutes of Health
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