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Get complete, unbiased, scientific information on KAVA, including Safety Ratings,
Effectiveness Ratings, Interaction Ratings, Lists of Ingredients and Adverse
Reactions... all from Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database | | |  |  | | |
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| Also Known As: |
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Ava Pepper, Ava Root, Awa, Gea, Gi, Intoxicating Long Pepper, Intoxicating Pepper, Kao, Kavain, Kavapipar, Kawa Kawa, Kawa Pepper, Kawapfeffer, Kew, Long Pepper, Maori Kava, Malohu, Maluk, Meruk, Milik, Rauschpfeffer, Rhizome Di Kava-Kava, Sakau, Tonga, Wurzelstock, Yagona, Yangona, Yaqona, Yongona.
CAUTION: See separate listing for Indian Long Pepper.
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| Scientific Name: |
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Piper methysticum.
Family: Piperaceae. |
| People Use This For: |
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Natural medicines are often tried for many conditions based on tradition, anecdotes, or
marketing, but not all of these uses are supported by reliable or credible scientific
research. Below is a list of some common uses for KAVA.
Subscribe now to get scientific Effectiveness Ratings for KAVA and thousands
of other natural medicines. Get the facts before your take it. |
Orally, kava is used to treat anxiety disorders, stress, attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), insomnia, and restlessness. It is also used orally for epilepsy, psychosis, depression, headaches including migraines, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), common cold and other respiratory tract infections, tuberculosis, cancer prevention, musculoskeletal pain, and bladder cancer. Kava is also used orally for urinary tract infection (UTI), uterine inflammation, venereal disease, menstrual discomfort, vaginal prolapse, and as an aphrodisiac.
Topically, kava is used for skin diseases including leprosy, to promote wound healing, and as an analgesic. It is also used topically as a poultice for otitis and abscesses, and as a mouthwash for canker sores and toothaches.
Ceremonially, kava is used as a beverage to induce relaxation.
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| Safety: |
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| Get reliable information about potential safety concerns from scientific Safety Rating. See if there are warnings against use during Pregnancy, Breast Feeding, or for Children. |
| Effectiveness: |
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| Get scientific Effectiveness Rating and see if KAVA works before selecting it. |
| Mechanism of Action: |
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| Research the pharmacology, active constituents, and a clear scientific explanation about how the natural medicine is thought to work for its medicinal uses. |
| Adverse Reactions: |
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| Get detailed information on common side effects and potentially serious adverse reaction. Find out what to expect if you select this natural product. |
| Interactions with Herbs & Supplements: |
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| Find out if KAVA is safe to take with other natural medicines or supplements or if there are potential interactions. |
| Interactions with Drugs: |
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| Find out what medications KAVA interacts with and if the interactions are mild or potentially dangerous. |
| Interactions with Foods: |
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| Find out if particular foods should be avoided with KAVA, Ginkgo, or if certain foods can negatively affect the product. |
| Interactions with Lab Tests: |
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| Find out if KAVA interferes with laboratory tests or could cause a diagnostic test to fail or be inaccurate. |
| Interactions with Diseases or Conditions: |
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| Find out if KAVA interferes with or could worsen any medical condition or if there are any precautions or contraindications. |
| Dosage/Administration: |
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| Get reliable information on the best dose to use based on scientific research. Products only work if taken in the correct dose. Taking a dose that is too high can increase the chance of side effects and adverse outcomes. |
| Editor's Comments: |
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| Get comments from the editors about special concerns, interesting facts, and other information. |
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