Kava Kava









Kava Kava


Natural product category
Herb
What is this natural product used for?
Kava Kava is used to help relieve anxiety and as a sleep aid. It appears to cause relaxation without any effect on memory or other parts of the nervous system.
How does it work?
The active ingredients in Kava Kava (kavalactones) work on a specific part of the nervous system that controls many emotional processes. These chemicals appear to have a direct effect to relax certain muscle groups and to provide a calming effect.
How is it best taken?
  • Take this product with or without food. Take with food if it causes an upset stomach.
  • Take this product with a full glass of water.
  • Take this product at a similar time every day.
  • If used for sleep:
    • Take 30-60 minutes before bedtime.
What do I do if I miss a dose?
  • To gain the most benefit, do not miss doses.
  • Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
  • If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your regular schedule.
  • Do not take a double dose or extra doses.
What are the precautions when taking this natural product?
  • Check medicines and natural products with healthcare provider. This natural product may not mix well with other medicines or natural products.
  • Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor) and other medicines that slow your actions and reactions. This includes sedatives, tranquilizers, mood stabilizers, and pain medicine.
  • You may not be alert. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities that require you to be alert until you know how this product affects you.
  • Use with caution if you have liver disease. Talk with healthcare provider.
  • Use with caution if you have Parkinson's disease. Talk with healthcare provider.
  • Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicines or natural products. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.
  • Do not use in pregnancy and do not get pregnant. Use birth control that you can trust while taking this product.
  • Do not use if you are breast-feeding.
What are the possible side effects of this natural product?
  • Headache. Mild pain medicine may help.
  • You may feel tired or sleepy. Avoid driving, doing other tasks that require you to be alert until you see how this product affects you.
  • Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard candy, or chewing gum may help.
  • Rash.
What should I monitor?
  • Any significant changes in skin (pigmentation, color, rash).
  • Degree of drowsiness and sedation.
Reasons to call healthcare provider
  • Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
  • Severe headache.
  • Too tired or sleepy.
  • Yellow eyes or skin.
How should I store this natural product?
  • Store in original container at room temperature.
  • Protect from moisture. Do not store in a bathroom or kitchen.
Plant part used
Root, rhizome
Dosage forms
Oral
Drug interactions
Alcohol, central nervous system (CNS) depressants (benzodiazepines, antidepressants, sedative/hypnotics), antipsychotics, levodopa
General statements
Under current law in the United States, herbal supplements are classified as dietary supplements and fall under the regulations of the food service industry. This includes the manufacturing practices imposed by the local agriculture departments for food manufacturers. Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) are currently not required by the FDA, yet many companies follow GMPs, and the industry is improving self-imposed practices. Use herbs with extreme caution in the following groups:
  • Children younger than 2 years of age
  • Pregnant or lactating women; some herbs are contraindicated in pregnancy, make sure to observe warnings.
  • If you are taking pharmaceutical medications (prescription and others), always review for potential herb-drug interactions with your healthcare provider.
  • If you are taking other natural products, always review for potential herb-herb, or herb-natural product interactions with your healthcare provider.
  • Individuals having known allergies to plants. If you fall into this category, speak with your healthcare provider before using an herbal product. Both large doses of herbs and herbs taken over a long period of time may increase the risk for adverse effects. Many herbs, due to a variety of their chemical ingredients, may cause temporary adverse effects such as nausea, vomiting, and stomach distress.
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