| Description: Kava (Piper methysticum) is best known for its natural anti-anxiety properties. The kava lactones, or kava pyrones, are the primary active ingredient taken from the kava leaves. They have proved effective in treating anxiety,1 as well as acting as muscle relaxants and a mild painkiller.2 Early studies suggested that kava did not have any interaction with the binding sites in the brain that make valium effective,3 however more recent studies show that there may be an interaction.4
Useful in treatment of:
Anxiety: Several studies have shown the effectiveness of kava in treating mild anxiety. Comparisons to standard anxiolytics of the valium (benzodiazepine) class have yielded results similar to the prescription medications.5,6,7,8 Objective improvements in depression scores were documented in these studies.
Insomnia: Two studies have shown a benefit for Kava in patients with insomnia.9,10
Recommended Dosage: Kava preparations should be standardized to the kavalactone content. Typically, 70 mg of standardized extract is taken three times each day, or a total dose of 210 mg. A single 210 mg dose may be useful for insomnia.
Contraindications: Should not be with medications or substances which affect the central nervous system, including antidepressants, alcohol, and antipsychotic drugs.
References:
1Volz HP, Kieser M. Kava-kava extract WS 1490 versus placebo in anxiety disorders. A randomized placebo-controlled 25-week outpatient trial. Pharmacopsychiatry 1997;30:1–5.
2Buckley JP, Furgiulel AR, O’Hara MJ. Pharmacology of kava. In Ethnopharmacoligcal Search for Psychoactive Drugs, ed. DH Efron, B Holmstedt, NS Kline. New York: Raven Press, 1979, 141–51.
3Davies LP, et al. Kava pyrones and resin: Studies on GABA-A, GABA-B, and benzodiazepine binding sites in rodent brain. Pharmacol Toxicol 71(2): 120–126, 1992.
4Jussofie A, Schmiz A, and Hiemke C. Kavapyrone enriched extract from Piper methysticum as modulator of the GABA binding site in different regions of rat brain. Psychopharmacology 116: 469–474, 1994.
5Volz HP, et al. Kava-kava extract WS 1490 versus placebo in anxiety disorders—a randomized placebo-controlled 25 week outpatient trial. Pharmacopsychiatry 30(1): 1–5, 1997.
6Kinzler E, et al. Effect of a special kava extract in patients with anxiety, tension, and excitation states of non-psychotic genesis. Double-blind study with placebos over 4 weeks. Arzneimittelforschung 41(6): 584–588, 1991.
7Warnecke G, et al. Wirksamkeit von Kawa-Kawa-Extract beim klimakterischen Syndrom. Z Phytother 11: 81–86, 1990.
8Warnecke G. Psychosomatic dysfunctions in the female climacteric. Clinical effectiveness and tolerance of kava extract WS 1490. Fortschr Med 109(4): 119–122, 1991.
9Emser W and Bartylla K. Effect of kava extract WS 1490 on the sleep pattern in healthy subjects. Neurol Psychiatr 5: 636–642, 1991.
10Holm E, et al. Studies on the profile of the neurophysiological effects of D,L-kavain. Cerebral sites of action and sleep-wakefulness-rhythm in animals. Arzneimittelforschung 41: 673–683, 1991.
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