The recent adverse effects notification about Kava Kava (Piper methysticum), which started in Germany and Switzerland, prompted me to dedicate this space to the discussion of this herb.

Kava is a unique herbal medicine with specific and unique properties, it provides herbal practitioners with a very good herb in their arsenal to treat their patients.

Many of the adverse effects attributed to Kava are not consistent with the nature of this herb as used by medical herbalists, I am sure that after the evaluation of this herb it would be reinstated to its usual use.

Kava has been used in Britain by herbal practitioners for over 100 years, it is an antimicrobial, antiseptic stimulant, mild analgesic diuretic, antispasmodic tonic. It is very effective for cystitis, urethritis, rheumatism and infections of the urinary tract (according to the British Herbal Pharmacopoeia 1983), there are other usages and an excellent monograph of the herb in the book (Principles and Practices of Phytotherapy by S. Mills and K. Bone page 456), including indications supported by clinical trials (anxiety, restlessness, nervous tension).

In my opinion Kava has been used for many years safely with no serious adverse effects reported. The complaints reported are that the standardized extract may have a potential to be hepatotoxic in susceptible people (e.g. those taking concomitant orthodox medicines). 

Tinctures produced by the normal maceration process will be safe in normal individuals, this process does not standardize the tincture which means that all the herbs constituents will be present in the liquid, not just a few of them.

Most recent use of Kava as a nervine is in line with its traditional use in the South Pacific islands for over 2000 years, there it is used as a ceremonial drink providing relaxation and tranquility within a social environment. Kava has not shown toxicity or addiction when used properly, but if abused it may change the noble nature of the herb.

Kava is a root which has the following constituents:
Kava lactones, kavain, methysticin, yangonin, also flavonoids (flavokavains)

As the demand has grown in the USA, this herb has been very well researched in the past, the kava lactones are  the active constituents and have been shown in animal studies to have a sedative action. 

Lets hope that the name of this important herb will be cleared in a not to distant future so it can continue to benefit the people that need to use it. I hope that the bureaucracy will not place this valuable herb in the list of herbs not available for use.

If you require more information please contact me.