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What is Kava Kava Piper methysticum
Kava kava is a bitter herb derived from the rhizome fibers of the Piper methysticum plant, a member of the black pepper family.
In Fiji, the plant is referred to as “yaquona”, in Hawaii it is known as “awa”, and in the Aboriginal tribes is known by “grog”. Aqueous extractions of kava kava have been used for over 3000 years in the south Pacific as a natural relaxant, and as an important part of religious and ceremonial events.
Interestingly, the plant’s formal name comes from the Greek “methys”, which means “drunken”. Captain James Cook was the first western explorer to document the use of kava in its native lands in 1768.
The extract of the kava root contains at least 7 major active kava pyrones, commonly known as kavalactones. It is believed that kava kava can promote feelings of satisfaction and relaxation without causing drowsiness or interfering with cognition.
Kava kava is widely used in Europe for treatment of nervous anxiety, stress, and restlessness. Germany’s Commission E has recognized kava kava as an approved herb for these purposes.
Several studies in Germany have noted positive effects on anxiety symptoms of non-mental origin.
Of note are the small numbers of patients included (usually less than 60 patients per study), and the relatively short durations (4—24 weeks), of these trials.
There are no published controlled clinical trials of kava kava and anxiety in the US.
The National Institute of Mental Health is currently considering formal study of kava kava in anxiety.
Despite the relative lack of data, sales of kava kava herbal supplements total millions of dollars in the US each year.
Indications
- anxiety
- insomnia
For the treatment of mild anxiety†, stress†, restlessness†, or nervousness† of non-psychotic origin
Side Effects
- ataxia
- azotemia
- cholestasis
- choreoathetosis
- contact dermatitis
- dizziness
- drowsiness
- dyspnea
- elevated hepatic enzymes
- hair discoloration
- headache
- hematuria
- hepatic failure
- hepatic necrosis
- hepatitis
- hyperbilirubinemia
- hypoalbuminemia
- ichthyosis
- involuntary movements
- jaundice
- lethargy
- lymphopenia
- muscle cramps
- mydriasis
- nail discoloration
- ocular irritation
- paresis
- rhabdomyolysis
- skin discoloration
- thrombocytopenia
- visual impairment
- weakness
- weight loss
Monitoring Parameters
- laboratory monitoring not necessary
Contraindications
- anxiety
- breast-feeding
- children
- cholestasis
- depression
- driving or operating machinery
- ethanol intoxication
- geriatric
- hepatic disease
- hepatitis
- infants
- jaundice
- labor
- neonates
- neurological disease
- obstetric delivery
- Parkinson’s disease
- pregnancy
- psychosis
- renal disease
- renal failure
- renal impairment
- seizures
- surgery
Interactions
There are no drug interactions associated with Kava Kava, Piper methysticum products.
