SDA Spotlight on Health:Kava Kava

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Kava Kava

Herbal ecstasy, or relief for respiratory problems?

Kava kava is prepared from the fresh or dried rhizomes

and rootstocks of a robust perennial shrub, Piper

methysticum. This shrub possibly originated from

Vanuatu. Seafaring Polynesians spread the shrub to

Hawaii and throughout the South Pacific Islands. Kava

kava (also called kava) is closely related to the

black pepper plant.

 

The shrub grows best in warm humid conditions with

lots of sunlight at an altitude of 500 to 1,000 feet

above sea level. Kava kava, with its large

heart-shaped leaves, can grow up to 10 feet high and

can form dense thickets. A 3-year-old plant can

produce a massive 20-pound rhizome with many roots.

Depending upon the resin content, the rootstock color

varies from white to yellow.

 

The people of the South Sea Islands used kava kava to

prepare a nonalcoholic brew or beverage for social

relaxation and ceremonial occasions. In Hawaiian

culture it also has ceremonial importance. Visiting

dignitaries have been given kava kava to drink during

welcome ceremonies in Samoa and Fiji. The social and

cultural role of kava kava in Polynesian societies has

been likened by some to that of wine usage in southern

Europe.

 

A Cure for Anxiety

Kava kava has been available in Europe as a mild

sedative for almost a century. Currently promoted for

its relaxing qualities, Kava kava provides safe relief

of acute and chronic anxiety disorders, stress, and

restlessness. It enables the user to experience a calm

temperament. It is a muscle relaxant without affecting

mental functions.

 

The antianxiety properties of kava kava were nicely

demonstrated by a well-conducted double-blind study

involving 58 patients with anxiety syndrome not caused

by psychotic disorders. The subjects, who received 300

milligrams of standardized kava kava extract a day,

experienced a significant reduction in anxiety after

one week of treatment. Anxiety relief continued to

improve over the period of the four-week experiment.

The study’s authors did not observe any side effects

from the kava kava.

 

The physiological action of kava kava is different

from that of tranquilizers. Kava kava causes changes

in brain activity, typical of antianxiety drugs, but

without the sedative effects. Kava kava is not a

central nervous system depressant, and does not cause

physical addiction. Furthermore, it has no hallucino-

genic properties.

 

Getting to the Root of the Matter

The herb is prepared by grinding or grating the fresh

or dried rhizomes with water or coconut milk. The

resulting product contains from three to 20 percent

kavalactones––the active constituents in kava kava.

There are six main active compounds that account for

90 percent of the kavalactones: kavain, dihydrokavain,

methysticin, dihydromethysticin, yangonin, and

desmethoxyyangonin.

 

These kavalactones work together, so a proper

combination of these compounds is required to provide

the highest activity. The kavalactone content can vary

among different plants growing in different places.

 

Additional Uses

Kava kava has also been used in the South Sea Islands

for urinary tract infections, sleeping problems,

asthma, and other problems. There is some evidence to

suggest its usefulness for menopausal women. A

reduction in irritability, anxiety, depressed moods,

and hot flashes has been reported in women treated

with kava kava. Kava kava also provides antispasmodic

effect, some analgesic activity, and local anesthetic

effects in the mouth.

 

Dosage

Kava kava extracts are normally standardized to

contain 30 percent kavalactones for therapeutic use.

It is usually recommended to take a 200-milligram

capsule one to three times a day with meals. This

would provide 60 to 180 milligrams of kavalactones.

Recommended doses should not be exceeded. In large

amounts it may impair motor reflexes and judgment

during driving or operating machinery. An overdose may

cause sleepiness.

 

Any Side Effects?

Kava kava gives the benefit of relaxed muscles and

quiet nerves without the commonly experienced sedative

effects of conventional drugs such as tranquilizers

and antidepressants. Generally, kava kava has few side

effects with the usual doses recommended (not more

than 200 milligrams of kavalactones per day).

 

There is no significant sedation, no addiction, and a

low risk of abuse. Extended heavy use of kava may

cause a temporary yellow discoloration of the skin and

nails. A high intake of kava kava long-term can also

cause a scaly skin rash. In Fiji, the skin lesions are

called kani-kani.

 

Restrictions and Interactions

Kava kava is not recommended for pregnant women or

nursing mothers. Kava kava should not be used with

alcohol, barbiturates, antidepressants, or any

substance that acts on the central nervous system,

since it may dangerously increase the action of these

substances.

 

Conclusion

As a stress buster and anxiety antidote, kava kava is

the herb of first choice. It should not be used for

more than three months without a doctor's

prescription. When used in normal therapeutic doses,

kava kava is a safe and effective antianxiety agent.

Because of the high demand for kava kava at the

present time, supplies are limited.

 

Winston J. Craig, Ph.D., R.D., is a professor of

nutrition at Andrews University, Berrien Springs,

Michigan.

 

Remember: Herbal products and dietary supplements can

have pharmacological effects, may produce adverse

reactions in some people, and could interact with

over-the-counter and prescription medications you may

take. Discuss with your physician your decision to use

any herbal product. Anything mentioned in this article

is not intended to diagnose, prescribe, or treat any

ailment.

 

 

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