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What is Kava?
- A lush, leafy green member of the pepper family, from the tropical islands of the
South Pacific, Kava is called Piper methysticum or "intoxicating pepper" in
Latin. An intensively cultivated root plant, kava has lost the ability to reproduce on its
own, and must be propagated through cuttings from existing plants. The best ones are saved
and further cultivated, the quality being measured by its taste, texture, and mostly, its
specific effects, and kept in families for generations.
- For centuries, kava has been used as a ritual drink and social beverage, as well
as a medicine for a variety of ailments. Traditionally served in a coconut half shell, it
is handed out ceremonially to the participants, in order of rank. Current extraction
processes use water or alcohol, after the root is powdered by a mortar and pestle-like
device. Fijians still enjoy nightly kava drinking in local bars called
"nakamals." Kava is used medicinally as an antifungal, diuretic, topical
anesthetic and a treatment for bladder infections.
- In modern times, kava has proved at least as effective against stress and anxiety
as conventional pharmaceutical treatments, without any of the negative side effects.
Unlike anti-anxiety drugs, kava does not hinder mental clarity. In fact, scientific
studies prove that the mind of the kava user remains clear, with a sharpening of physical
coordination and mental clarity. If you are one of those people who hangs on to your
stress, concerned that without it you’d lose your competitive "edge,"
consider the experience of Terry Willard, a Canadian-based herbalist who prescribes kava
for professional hockey players. The athletes under his care report that despite increased
relaxation, they actually improve their game. The players report that they are able to
concentrate more fully by the removal of the "chatter" that accompanies stress.
- Taking advantage of the calm and sociability generated by kava, many have used it
for negotiating and conflict resolution. Taking a cue from these Polynesian peacemakers,
many psychotherapists utilize kava as a tool in couples’ therapy.
- Kava’s effects can be experienced almost immediately. When drunk or eaten in
its paste form, the tongue and inside of the mouth go numb, as with a shot of novocaine.
Then, over the course of 30 minutes or so, kava’s other effects begin to unfold: a
generalized feeling of calm and well-being, accompanied by muscle relaxation. People often
become more sociable and communicative. Kava’s "feel-good" effects may be a
direct result of the muscle relaxation: You can’t be physically relaxed and mentally
tense at the same time.
The Research on Kava
- A 1997 double-blind, placebo-controlled study on the effects of kava in treating
anxiety disorders was conducted with 101 patients over 25 weeks. Using one capsule of
extract (containing 70 mg kavalactones), three times a day, the researchers found that
kava proved remarkably effective in reducing anxiety, validating the results of prior
studies.
Chemistry
- Unaltered extracts are more effective, since kava’s efficacy results from
the synergistic effect of its many kavalactones, rather than coming from a single isolated
substance. These kavalactones have been shown both to alter brain activity, and produce
muscle relaxation without sedation, when taken in therapeutic doses. There is some
variation in the kavalactone contents and proportions among different kava brands. In my
practice, I have found that some are more effective than others; so, if one isn’t
working for you, you could try switching to another.
Dosage
- The recommended daily adult dosage is 135 to 250 mg of standardized extract
containing 30-percent kavalactones (40 to 75 mg total kavalactones) taken two to three
times daily for general anxiety relief, or all at once to relax before sleeping. Kava can
be purchased in a variety of forms: as a raw root, an emulsified powder, an alcohol-based
tincture, alone, mixed with other medicinal herbs, and in powder-containing capsules or in
liquid-filled gelcaps. As long as dosages are uniform, the manner of ingestion seems to be
a matter of personal preferences.
Safety and Side Effects
- ographs Although kava is perfectly safe for the majority of stress and anxiety
sufferers, there are a few contraindications. According to the German Commission E.
Mon(The American Botanical Council, 1998) contraindications include "pregnancy,
nursing and endogenous depression." When taken in the doses typically prescribed for
stress and anxiety, kava possesses no known side effects or toxic consequences. This has
been proven by many controlled scientific studies as well as the clinical observations of
many practitioners. A dry, scaly skin condition, called "kava dermopathy" can
occur in the higher doses associated with long-term kava drinking, and is easily reversed
by stopping the use of kava.
Kava and Lifestyle
Kava is not a "magic bullet" against stress and anxiety. The best
approach to managing stress is multi-faceted:
- Address psychological and spiritual aspects with a wide range of techniques.
- Eliminate smoking, alcohol and drug abuse, and excessive caffeine consumption.
- Eat a balanced diet.
- Try nutritional "stress busters" such as vitamins, minerals and other
herbs including St. John’s wort, ginkgo and valerian.
- Explore relaxation techniques such as meditation, visualization and biofeedback.
- It may take a combination of these to fully lead one out of the stress trap and
into a relaxed, healthy and fulfilling lifestyle. However, kava has a unique role to play
in this equation, due to its potent, immediate effects, and its safety for long-term use.
By breaking the cycle of anxiety and poor health choices, kava can be the key to
reduced-stress living. And it’s only appropriate that this key comes not from a
pharmaceutical lab, but the ancient herbal wisdom of the Pacific Islands."
REFERENCES:
- Lebot, V., Merlin, M. and Lindstrom, L., Kava: the Pacific Elixir (Healing
Arts Press, 1997).
- Pharmacopsychiatry, 1997; 30: 1-5
- Herbalgram, 1997; 39: 34-56
- Phytomedicine, 1996; 3: 113-19
- Forschr, Med., 1991; 190: 120-22
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