Is Kava Kava safe to take? - Alternative Medicine Message Board

melanie in mary · 08-09-2005, 06:56 AM

Is Kava Kava safe to take? Seems like I remember I read somewhere that it wasn't. I heard that you can take it to help insomnia, which is what I would like to take it for. Does anyone know if it is alright to take? Thanks

GLSheridan · 08-09-2005, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by melanie in mary

Is Kava Kava safe to take? Seems like I remember I read somewhere that it wasn't. I heard that you can take it to help insomnia, which is what I would like to take it for. Does anyone know if it is alright to take? Thanks

Kava Kava has been linked to liver damage, and it's more indicated for anxiety.

Have you tried melatonin? Although it isn't a "cure" for insomnia, it claims to help establish sleep cycles, and is another alternative therapy.

ratboy83 · 08-09-2005, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GLSheridan

Kava Kava has been linked to liver damage, .

the people it caused liver damage in took far more than the recommended dosage. herbs should be treated with as much respect as drugs. if you screw around with them they'll screw you up. take too much alcohol and it'll give you liver failure, same with taking paracetamol too much. but i don't see either of them being banned. if you follow the doasage with herbs its fine. if you don't its not.

herbs indicated for anxiety usually are indicated for insomnia as their calming and sedating properties help both ailments. kava kava belongs to a group of herbs called the nervines (others include passion flower, valerian, hops etc.). nervines calm the nervous system, are nervous system tonics and favour sleep. this is why they are good for both insomnia and anxiety. just a point of interest: we sell one herbal preparation for insomnia and one prep for stress/anxiety in the store i work at. due to lisenceing laws they both have to be packaged in different boxes but the ingredients of the prep for insominia is exactly the same as the prep for stress/anxiety. my verdict is chill about the kava kava.

alex.

tajma · 08-13-2005, 12:01 PM

With all due respect your both wrong. The cases where Kava caused liver damage was proven to be due to some companies in an effort to save money use leaves and other parts of the plant that are toxic. Only the root should be used. As with any herb it should be used with respect, which with kava means not taking if you already know you have liver problems or mixing with any alchol that day. i have taken for many years and never had a problem. Buy from a respectable company that you trust for other health products.

holst · 08-13-2005, 01:51 PM

So, can you take it everyday for anxiety?