Kava

[PurplePanda999]

Has anyone ever tried Kava kava? Not the stuff you find in the health food store, but the root that comes from the South Pacific.


I've been experimenting with it and like the effect. It leaves me with a feeling of well being without feeling sleepy. I've only tried one kind that is not supposed to be as strong as other kinds.


Now if it could just get me through my favorite but crowded grocery store!

 

[Alex]

I think it's banned here in the UK and has restrictions on imports in other countries due to possible liver damage, and also some deaths when mixed with alcohol. I know that it's popular in the native countries where it is grown, but people still try and find a way to buy it online.


https://www.food.gov.uk/business-industry/imports/banned_restricted/kavakava


"Kava Kava, a member of the pepper family, is as a traditional herbal remedy for the treatment of anxiety. The herb has been banned since 13 January 2003. This is because of concerns about its toxic effect on the liver. So you cannot import kava kava supplements, or foods containing this herb."


This is from the government website here in the UK.


With any herbal substance you should tell your doctor you are taking it to be on the safe side.

 

[fcuco]

The FDA also issued a warning to consumers about the risk of consuming Kava and products containing it (mostly supplements), remember that in the US supplements are this weird food like think that's not regulated as medication nor as food, so it is not technically "banned", yet it appears that it causes serious liver damage,


Kava was actually being studied by the NIH and it was showing some promise but all studies were aborted once the FDA issued the warning.


I don't think the risk of liver damage is worth it though, I would advise everybody to stay way from it.

 

[JCP]

Kava does NOT harm the liver! This myth has been debunked years ago, take a look at this thread from another site: https://drugs-forum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=22331 or

PurplePanda999 It definitely helps me with anxiety. Which strain did you use out of interest?

 

[Rinka]

Hi PurplePanda999, yes I've tried kava before! Several times actually.


The first time I took it, was at a point in my life where I felt very stressed and had difficulties relaxing. My partner and I then decided to try it after researching about natural remedies. It tasted the way soil smells, quite icky, but the effect was unbelievable. It took about 10 minutes to kick in. First my mouth got numb, then I started to feel peacefulness to seep in. The tension in my body seemed to loosen, my mind somehow came to a rest. I felt as relaxed as I have not felt in a long time, back then. I was totally clear in my mind, don't get me wrong, I wasn't off my head. I would even go so far to say that my head and mind felt clearer and thinking was easier. Even after the initial effect vanished, I continued to feel the peacefulness. After this it was easier again for me to relax and to cope with stressful situations.

 

[Alex]

Any drugs whether tested or not has the potential to have side effects. While people are free to try it, if it is banned where you live it's not worth the risk of trying to obtain it. In the US there are many drugs there that I could take freely, but not in the UK.


All I would say is to do so with caution, especially if you do take other medication or drink alcohol, or if there are other issues such as high blood pressure or diabetes. While I have read some articles debunking the claim of liver damage, several countries with the resources and professionals must have some cause for concern to choose to ban this.


By the way, you know you can get liver damage from taking excessive amounts of medicine (that's what happens when you overdose). A doctor told me this when I admitted I had taken an extra dose of a medication, she told me overdosing leads to liver damage gradually.

 

[Sue]

I have never heard of such a thing. I will do some research on it on goggle. I am interested in finding out about it. I don't even know if I would be able to get it here or not but I will definitely look into it.

 

[Rinka]

Hi Alex,


i think you are right in saying that every medication can have a negative effect on the liver or the body overall. It's really a thing of not over doing it. When I did some research about kava, I also came across those studies, that say it's liver damaging. But what I have noticed was that the people the study was made on, had major health problems before they started the study. Some were alcoholics, some took antidepressants and other heavy meds. Those things already have a negative effect on the liver and then on top of it taking kava could course unwanted side effects.

 

[PurplePanda999]

I think it's banned here in the UK and has restrictions on imports in other countries due to possible liver damage, and also some deaths when mixed with alcohol. I know that it's popular in the native countries where it is grown, but people still try and find a way to buy it online.
https://www.food.gov.uk/business-industry/imports/banned_restricted/kavakava


"Kava Kava, a member of the pepper family, is as a traditional herbal remedy for the treatment of anxiety. The herb has been banned since 13 January 2003. This is because of concerns about its toxic effect on the liver. So you cannot import kava kava supplements, or foods containing this herb."


This is from the government website here in the UK.


With any herbal substance you should tell your doctor you are taking it to be on the safe side.

Apparently, further research found it is not the root that causes liver damage, it's the other parts of the plant. Which is why you need to be careful where you order from. And mixing any drugs can be dangerous.


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[PurplePanda999]

Kava does NOT harm the liver! This myth has been debunked years ago, take a look at this thread from another site: https://drugs-forum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=22331 or [video=youtube;i3-a9kCqyKg]

I used some instant Kava I ordered from Amazon. I've joined a kava group I found on Tapatalk. They are chock full of information. I just ordered a sample pack from Kalmwithkava.com. There's also a website kavasseur.blogspot.com that I've found helpful.


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[kgord]

I think all medicinal options have side effects whether it is aspirin and tylenol to herbal methods. If they are effective enough to work, they are effective enough to have side effects. However, it is up to individuals to synthesize all the information in regard to the herb as to whether they would want to use it or not. I have taken Kava in the past, and found it to be beneficial..but I stopped when I heard of negative studies done on it.

 

[PurplePanda999]

Right now I'm not on any medications at all, although I should be on Synthroid and Lipitor (but I don't like the possible side effects of Lipitor). I don't drink either. I will mention Kava use when I finally get to the doctor, just to be safe. However, I doubt the doctor will know much about any herbs.


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[rz3300a]

I have curious about Kava and wanting to try it for some time now, but I have yet to pull the trigger on anything. I have been to Amazon and had the stuff in my cart, but that is about as far as it went. I think it is combination of not really knowing what to get, how much to get, and also just the general anxiety about trying something new and not in the routine. I have heard good things, though, and I do not really buy the whole damages the liver thing, at least not nearly as much as some of the other stuff out there. I think I might make that leap soon, so thank you for sharing.

 

[PurplePanda999]

I have curious about Kava and wanting to try it for some time now, but I have yet to pull the trigger on anything. I have been to Amazon and had the stuff in my cart, but that is about as far as it went. I think it is combination of not really knowing what to get, how much to get, and also just the general anxiety about trying something new and not in the routine. I have heard good things, though, and I do not really buy the whole damages the liver thing, at least not nearly as much as some of the other stuff out there. I think I might make that leap soon, so thank you for sharing.

If you're on Tapatalk, you can subscribe to Kava Forums or go to kavaforums.com. There is a plethora of information and people there are knowledgeable and helpful. Good luck!


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[PurplePanda999]

I found a website that lists possible kava and drug interactions (including a couple over-the-counter drugs): http://www.rxlist.com/kava-page3/supplements.htm


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[JCP]

I used some instant Kava I ordered from Amazon. I've joined a kava group I found on Tapatalk. They are chock full of information. I just ordered a sample pack from Kalmwithkava.com. There's also a website kavasseur.blogspot.com that I've found helpful.


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Cool!


Ive tried an instant kava before, it was pretty strong. I didn't get it from Amazon though.


How did you prepare the kava? I guess you used a strain bag etc? You might know this already but it helps to have a fat source of some kind. (as its better at absorbing, or something ) I use milk.


Btw have you ever heard of kratom?

 

[Alex]

Right now I'm not on any medications at all, although I should be on Synthroid and Lipitor (but I don't like the possible side effects of Lipitor). I don't drink either. I will mention Kava use when I finally get to the doctor, just to be safe. However, I doubt the doctor will know much about any herbs.
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Don't underestimate doctors, but I think it's wise to tell the doctor to cover yourself if you do have any reactions so they at least know about it. Obviously you are in a country that allows it, so they will know about it.


I would say one more thing; don't believe everything you read on the internet because they aren't always facts, but opinions and theories. That's why wikipedia is not a valid source for citations and neither should non government websites be taken seriously.

 

[HappyKoi]

I was going to mention something about interactions with other drugs, but it looks like PurplePanda beat me to it. The only issues I've heard about Kava is if you have a pre-existing liver condition or are taking it with other herbs or medications, and then some of the side effects can be quite nasty. Do be careful. And always mention these things to your doctor.

 

[Usagi]

I had kava a few times while on holiday in Fiji. It's a little strange, drinking a bowl of what looks like muddy water, but it's not bad. It's nothing spectacular either, and I was only slightly relaxed, but I suspect it was more of a placebo than something else to it.

 

[listener1987]

Kava does NOT harm the liver! This myth has been debunked years ago, take a look at this thread from another site: https://drugs-forum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=22331 or

Let's remember that there are a lot of conflicting opinions all over the internet! Try not to make "fact" claims that have legitimate, professional sources that differ on their opinions. Instead, consider sharing your sources and inviting people to do research for themselves. =)