Kava questions

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Stephen Sinatra on Kava Kava

 

Stephen Sinatra, MD is a board certified cardiologist, clinical nutritionist,

anti-aging specialist, and holistic practitioner. He is one of the best and

most respected in complementary medicine. His site has valueable information

you might find a useful reference. His email newsletter is free.

 

Relax and continue to use Kava. My take is drug companies want this off the

market so they can sell their toxic prescription drugs - that is the real bottom

line.

 

 

A Closer Look at the Facts

 

First, there were discrepancies in the numbering of the European case reports,

which leads to doubts about their veracity (for example, it's likely that

several cases were reported more than once).

 

Second, as I suspected, many of the patients were taking kava plus one of a

variety

of drugs associated with liver damage. Even in cases where liver-toxic drugs

were not taken, patients were taking excessive doses of kavalactones (kava's

active ingredient); drinking alcohol heavily; or using kava's synthetic cousin,

d,l-kavain, instead of the real thing.

 

Third, kava is one of the more well-researched herbs on the planet; its use is

backed by

results from eight double-blind clinical trials.

 

Basically, kava is much like the over-the-counter pain relievers that most of us

have in our medicine cabinets: helpful when used carefully and in moderation.

The bottom line is that whenever you put anything in your mouth -- even vitamins

-- you need to think about what you're doing. Almost any medicine or supplement

can have an adverse effect when used at a high enough dose or in an

inappropriate way.

 

By the same token, taking kava with antidepressants or other prescription drugs

is risky; please do not combine these unless you do so under a doctor's

supervision. (You should always be cautious about combining any drugs with herbs

for some drug-herb duos known to cause adverse

reactions.)

 

There are also some people who should avoid kava, namely those who have liver

problems to begin with. Symptoms of liver inflammation or disease include

jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), brown urine, nausea, vomiting,

stomach pain, and loss of appetite. If you have any

of these on a chronic basis, please get checked out before considering kava.

 

Other Methods of Managing Stress

 

Assuming you are generally healthy and do not drink large quantities of alcohol

or take other drugs, kava should be fine for intermittent, short-term use (three

months or less). I feel it's safe to take 210-280 mg of kavalactones per day for

anxiety or stress, or 200 mg of kavalactones before bedtime to promote sleep.

And remember, this is only on an as-needed basis, the same way you'd take

aspirin for a headache. Brands I like are Great Earth's KavaQuil and GNC's

Standardized Kava Extract. [Note, when we use the whole herbs, we're a whole

lot safer sinc ethe whole herb context provides a modulation for our bodies.

Standardizing what a scientist deems the active constituent to be has proven

problematic with other herbs. It's pharmaceutical approach results from

mechanistic, analytical thinking and does not recognize the whole essence/energy

of a plant.]

 

If you feel you need to take kava for more than three months or even on a daily

basis for a shorter duration, then you have a problem that's more serious than

an herb can remedy. You need to consult a medical professional, because your

anxiety could be related to a medical condition, such as panic disorder.

 

Even for garden-variety stress, kava is not the only answer. One of the easiest

ways to relax is to simply turn off the T.V. Ever since Sept. 11, I have seen an

upswing in high blood pressure and angina in patients. The constant media

coverage has not helped anyone get their mind these fears, but a good book, some

soft music, or exercise could.

 

Another tip is to eat foods that induce calm. Turkey or bananas - foods that

contain tryptophan, a sleep-inducing amino acid -- are good choices. You might

also brew some chamomile tea and drink that before bed, or try a mug of warm

milk. A warm bath is another way to soothe yourself and wind down.

 

As long as you're healthy, I see no reason for you to steer clear of kava. It's

a natural substance that, used judiciously, is unsurpassed in its ability to

deflate anxiety and ease insomnia. Just don't abuse it.

 

Until next time,

 

Stephen Sinatra, M.D.

 

 

Stephen Sinatra, M.D., is a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology and a

Fellow of the American College of Nutrition. He is board certified in internal

medicine and cardiology and certified in anti-aging medicine, clinical

nutrition, and bioenergetic analysis. At his New

England Heart and Longevity Center in Manchester, Conn., Dr. Sinatra integrates

conventional medical treatments with complementary nutritional and psychological

therapies.

 

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