Piperaceae
Kava Kava
Piper methysticum
⚠ Use with Caution
Avoid in Pregnancy
Native to: Pacific Islands (Polynesia, Melanesia, Micronesia)
Also known as: Kava, Awa, Yagona, Sakau
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Parts Used
Root
Therapeutic Uses
Anxiety (multiple RCTs — comparable to benzodiazepines without cognitive impairment), insomnia, menopausal anxiety, chronic pain, social anxiety. Noble kava preparations safe — traditional fermented/water preparations.
Herbal Actions
Anxiolytic, sedative, muscle relaxant, analgesic, euphoric (mild)
Active Constituents
Kavalactones (kavain, dihydrokavain, methysticin, yangonin, desmethoxyyangonin — 15% of root), flavonoids, starch, proteins
Preparation Methods
🏺 Tincture💊 Capsule☕ Herbal Tea
Traditional Preparation Notes
| Herbal Tea | Traditional: root pounded in water — 150–300mg kavalactones per drink |
| Tincture | 3–5 ml (1:2, 65% ethanol), 1–3x daily |
| Notes | Noble kava varieties only (not tudei/two-day kava). Water or 40% ethanol extraction preserves active kavalactones. Clinical dose: 60–240mg kavalactones daily. Do NOT combine with alcohol. Rest between courses (8 weeks on, 4 off). |
Safety Information
Safety Rating
⚠ Use with Caution
Pregnancy
Avoid in Pregnancy
Drug Interactions
⚠ Known interactions
Contraindications: Avoid in pregnancy, liver disease. Avoid with alcohol, CNS depressants, benzodiazepines, levodopa. Do not drive. Avoid acetaminophen (paracetamol) combination.
Side Effects: Kava dermopathy (skin scaling) with heavy long-term use. Liver toxicity (rare, primarily acetone extracts and non-noble varieties). Sedation. Yellow skin discoloration.