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What’s Kava Tea? Health Benefits & Uses

Kava, also known as Kava kava, is a plant native to the islands of the South Pacific.

It has been used for centuries by Pacific Islanders as a ceremonial drink to induce a state of relaxation. [1]

Recently, Kava’s relaxing and stress-relieving properties have gained widespread attention.

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Nonetheless, it has been linked to several health issues, raising concerns about its safety. [1]

The consumption of Kava Tea may reduce anxiety and improve sleep. However, it may interact with specific medications. Also, ensure that your Kava was extracted exclusively from the root. This will safeguard your liver.

This article provides comprehensive information on the benefits and risks of Kava.

Table of Contents

What Is Kava?

Source: Canva

Kava is a tropical evergreen shrub with leaves that are shaped like hearts and stems that are woody. Piper methysticum is the name given to it in the scientific community.

Members of Pacific cultural communities typically consume Kava during ceremonial and social gatherings. In the first step of the preparation process, the roots are ground into a paste.

In the past, this was accomplished by chewing the roots and then spitting them out; in modern times, it is most commonly accomplished by hand. [2]

After being strained, the resulting solution is first diluted with water and then consumed.

Kavalactones, which account for 3–20% of the dry weight of the plant’s root, are the components responsible for its biological activity. [3]

Studies suggest that kavalactones may have the following effects on the body’s physiological processes:

  • Alleviate pain sensations, But there is only limited research [4]
  • Reduce Anxiety [5]
  • Alleviate the risk of cancer, Although there is only evidence from mice [6,7,8,9]
  • Protect neurons from damage [4]

The majority of the research that has been done on Kava to this point has concentrated on its ability to calm anxious feelings.

Source: Canva

It needs to be clarified how kavalactones produce these effects, but it would appear that they affect the neurotransmitters in the brain. 

One of these neurotransmitters that slows down nerve activity is known as gamma-aminobutyric acid, or GABA for short. [10][11]

Kava Health Benefits

This herbal remedy has been shown to improve well-being without the negative side effects often associated with anxiety medication. In fact, kava tea may even improve cognitive function and aid in treating insomnia.

Kava Can Aid in Reducing Anxiety

Anxiety disorders are currently one of the most prevalent psychiatric conditions. Typically, they are treated with psychotherapy, medication, or both. [12][13]

Numerous medications are available, but they may cause undesirable side effects and can be addictive. [14]

This has increased the demand for presumed-safe natural remedies, such as Kava. 1997 marked the publication of the first long-term study investigating the effects of kava extract on anxious individuals. [15]

Compared to a placebo, it significantly reduced the intensity of the participants’ anxiety. The researchers also observed no withdrawal or dependency-related side effects, whereas these effects are common with other drugs commonly used to treat anxiety. [14]

Source: Canva

Several other studies have demonstrated the anti-anxiety effects of Kava since this one. After looking at the results of eleven of these studies, researchers concluded that kava extract is an effective treatment for anxiety. [16][17]

Recent studies continue to demonstrate that Kava is effective for anxiety. [18][19][20]

Kava May Help Sleep

Lack of sleep is associated with numerous medical conditions, including hypertension, diabetes, depression, obesity, and cancer. [21][22][23][24]

Recognizing this, many people turn to sleep aids to improve their sleep. Sleep medications may cause physical dependence through habituation, as drugs are used to treat anxiety. [25]

Due to its calming effects, Kava is commonly used as an alternative to these sleep medications.

Compared to a placebo, Kava reduced stress and insomnia in a study of 24 participants. Researchers and participants knew whether they received Kava or a placebo [26]. This may have influenced the outcome through a bias. 

Source: Canva

Despite these flaws, a subsequent, higher-quality study determined that Kava is more effective than a placebo at enhancing sleep quality and reducing anxiety. [27]

Intriguingly, Kava’s effects on insomnia may result from its effects on anxiety. Insomnia induced by stress is common in anxious individuals. Therefore, in cases of insomnia, Kava may treat anxiety, thereby promoting better sleep. [27]

The effect of Kava is unknown on sleep in individuals without anxiety or stress-induced insomnia. In addition, it can cause drowsiness but does not appear to impair driving ability. [28]

Does Kava Tea Help You Lose Weight?

There is no research on the relationship between kava tea and weight loss or metabolism. However, some anecdotal reports suggest that kava tea may have appetite-suppressing effects and promote weight loss, but no evidence is available to support these reports. Studies are needed to confirm these claims.

Dosage for Kava

The maximum daily dose of kavalactones recommended by experts is 250 mg. [29][30]

Effective doses of kavalactones range from 70 to 250 mg. [18][19][20]

Source: Canva

Kavalactones may be listed in milligrams or as a percentage in kava supplements. If the percentage is provided, you must calculate the number of kavalactones present. (100 mg x 0.30 = 30 mg kavalactones)

To achieve an effective dose within the range of 70–250 mg of kavalactones, at least three capsules of this supplement are required. Most kava root extracts contain 30–70% kavalactones. [31]

Kava Side Effects

Source: Canva

Although Kava may benefit anxiety, many individuals are concerned about its possible side effects. Several cases of liver toxicity were linked to kava consumption in the early 2000s. [32]

Later, the US Food and Drug Administration warned about the risk of liver damage associated with kava-containing products. [33]

Its use has been prohibited or restricted in many nations, including the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Switzerland, and Germany. However, the ban was later lifted in Germany due to insufficient evidence of associated risks. [34]

It is believed that Kava is harmful to the liver in various ways, including its interaction with certain medications.

The enzymes in the liver that break down Kava are the same enzymes that break down other drugs. Because of this, Kava can inhibit these enzymes, preventing them from breaking down other drugs and leading to an accumulation of those drugs in the liver, where they can cause damage. [35]

Another reason kava products are believed to be unsafe is adulteration. [36][37]

Some companies use the leaves or stems of the kava plant instead of the roots to save money. [38][39]

Source: Canva

The leaves and stems are known to be liver-damaging. Despite this, several meta-analyses of relevant studies have found no evidence of liver damage in people who have taken these supplements for 1–24 weeks. [16][17]

Therefore, people without liver damage and those not taking liver-affecting medications may be able to use Kava in safe doses for approximately one to two months. [3]

Bottomline: Kava Tea Health Benefits and Uses

Kava has been consumed in the South Pacific for centuries and is considered a safe and enjoyable beverage. The plant’s roots contain kavalactones, which have been shown to alleviate anxiety.

If you take Kava, consult your physician, as it may interact with certain medications.

Additionally, ensure that you read the labels of the kava products you’re considering to confirm the kavalactone content of each dose.

Verify whether the Kava was extracted from the plant’s root or other parts that may be more harmful to the liver. With these precautions in mind, most individuals can safely enjoy the benefits of Kava and Kava tea.

FAQs

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has concluded that kava is safe for occasional use at low doses, while the FDA has issued warnings against using kava supplements due to potential liver injury. To stay safe, it is best to choose high-quality kava tea from reputable sources and consume it moderately.
Kava tea is known for its relaxing and calming effects. It can help reduce anxiety, stress, and tension without causing drowsiness or impairing cognitive function. Kava tea may also promote sleep, alleviate insomnia, improve mood, and enhance sociability.
The most common side effects of kava tea include dry mouth, dizziness, headache, and upset stomach. Some people may also experience allergic reactions, liver damage, or cognitive impairment with kava use.

Therefore, it is crucial to consult a healthcare provider before consuming kava tea, especially if you have any underlying health conditions or take medications.

Disclaimer: This article is only a guide. It does not substitute the advice given by your healthcare professional. Before making any health-related decision, consult your healthcare professional.

Editorial References And Fact-Checking

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  2. Teschke, R., Sarris, J., & Schweitzer, I. (2012). Kava hepatotoxicity in traditional and modern use: the presumed Pacific kava paradox hypothesis revisited. British journal of clinical pharmacology, 73(2), 170–174. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21801196/
  3. F. (n.d.). Card fr. FAODocuments. https://www.fao.org/documents/card/fr?details=1b72914b-8ac8-428f-8fc9-40f1fb4e6f3a/
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  6. Martin, A. C., Johnston, E., Xing, C., & Hegeman, A. D. (2014). Measuring the chemical and cytotoxic variability of commercially available kava (Piper methysticum G. Forster). PloS one, 9(11), e111572. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25365244/
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  16. Pittler, M. H., & Ernst, E. (2003). Kava extract for treating anxiety. The Cochrane database of systematic reviews, (1), CD003383. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12535473/
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  19. Sarris, J., Stough, C., Bousman, C. A., Wahid, Z. T., Murray, G., Teschke, R., Savage, K. M., Dowell, A., Ng, C., & Schweitzer, I. (2013). Kava in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study. Journal of clinical psychopharmacology, 33(5), 643–648. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23635869/
  20. Sarris, J., Stough, C., Teschke, R., Wahid, Z. T., Bousman, C. A., Murray, G., Savage, K. M., Mouatt, P., Ng, C., & Schweitzer, I. (2013). Kava for the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder RCT: analysis of adverse reactions, liver function, addiction, and sexual effects. Phytotherapy research : PTR, 27(11), 1723–1728. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23348842/
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  39. Teschke, R., Sarris, J., & Schweitzer, I. (2012). Kava hepatotoxicity in traditional and modern use: the presumed Pacific kava paradox hypothesis revisited. British journal of clinical pharmacology, 73(2), 170–174. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21801196/

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