Kava
Piper methysticum
A Pacific-island root drink with genuine evidence for relieving anxiety — and a real liver-safety controversy.
Traditional use (indigenous-americas): A Pacific-island root drink with genuine evidence for relieving anxiety — and a real liver-safety controversy.
A Pacific-island root drink with genuine evidence for relieving anxiety — and a real liver-safety controversy.
Active constituents are under study; evidence ranges from traditional use to preliminary human trials.
- A Pacific-island root drink with genuine evidence for relieving anxiety — and a real liver-safety controversy.
Evidence strength: stronger human.
- See the evidence level above
- Linked to rare but serious LIVER INJURY; strongly sedating; dangerous with alcohol, sedatives, and other liver-stressing drugs.
- Liver disease
- Alcohol
- Pregnancy
- Before driving
Linked to rare but serious LIVER INJURY; strongly sedating; dangerous with alcohol, sedatives, and other liver-stressing drugs.
May interact with prescription medications — review with a clinician if you take any.
Use caution in pregnancy, breastfeeding, for children, and with chronic disease unless cleared by a clinician.
Choose reputable, tested suppliers; correct identification is essential for wild-harvested plants.
Effective for anxiety, but the liver reports are serious enough to demand caution, water-based 'noble' kava, and medical oversight.