Notice: Function _load_textdomain_just_in_time was called incorrectly. Translation loading for the wordpress-seo domain was triggered too early. This is usually an indicator for some code in the plugin or theme running too early. Translations should be loaded at the init action or later. Please see Debugging in WordPress for more information. (This message was added in version 6.7.0.) in /var/www/html/wp-includes/functions.php on line 6260 Kava - Nutraceuticals World

What are you searching for?

Sign in
Research

Kava

Author Image

By: Sean Moloughney

Editor, Nutraceuticals World

Indication: Anxiety and depression



Source: Psychopharmacology, August 2009;205(3):399-407.

Research: Piper methysticum (kava) has been withdrawn in European, British and Canadian markets due to concerns over hepatotoxic reactions. As a result, the WHO recently recommended research into “aqueous” extracts of kava. The objective of this study was to conduct the first documented human clinical trial assessing the anxiolytic and antidepressant efficacy of an aqueous extract of kava. The kava Anxiety Depression Spectrum Study was a 3-week placebo-controlled, double-blind crossover trial that recruited 60 adult participants with 1 month or more of elevated generalized anxiety. Five kava tablets per day were prescribed containing 250 mg of kavalactones per day.

Results: The aqueous extract was found to be safe, with no serious adverse effects and no clinical hepatotoxicity. The aqueous kava preparation produced significant anxiolytic and antidepressant activity and raised no safety concerns at the dose and duration studied. Kava appears equally effective in cases where anxiety is accompanied by depression. Researchers believe this should encourage further study and consideration of globally reintroducing aqueous rootstock extracts of kava for the management of anxiety.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Get the latest Nutraceuticals World news, insights and analysis in your Google Search and AI experiences.

Add Nutraceuticals World as a preferred source on Google (opens in a new tab)

Keep Up With Our Content. Subscribe To Nutraceuticals World Newsletters