Key Constituents

Kavalactones (kavain, dihydrokavain, methysticin, dihydromethysticin, yangonin, desmethoxyyangonin)^{[6, 7]}

Lipophilic lactones concentrated in the root/rhizome; regarded as the main anxiolytic constituents, acting on GABA-A signalling and other CNS targets.

Pharmacological Actions

Anxiolytic / calming^{[2, 4, 5, 6, 8]}

Standardised kava extracts significantly reduce anxiety versus placebo in controlled trials (Hamilton Anxiety scale).

Parts: Root, Rhizome

Sedative / sleep support^{[1, 6]}

Kavalactones have calming, sleep-supporting and muscle-relaxant effects and can add to the action of other CNS depressants.

Parts: Root, Rhizome

Traditional & Indicated Uses

Anxiety^{[2, 4, 5, 6, 8]}Strong · 10/10

Evidence: 10

Label: Anxiety

more plants for anxiety →detailed sources →

Stress^{[6, 8]}Good · 8/10

inferred from anxiolytic action

Evidence: 8

Label: Stress

more plants for stress →detailed sources →

Nervous tension^[6]Good · 7/10

inferred from anxiolytic action

Evidence: 7

Label: Nervous tension

more plants for nervous tension →detailed sources →

Insomnia / sleeplessness^{[1, 6]}Good · 8/10

inferred from sedative action

Evidence: 8

Label: Insomnia / sleeplessness

more plants for insomnia / sleeplessness →detailed sources →

Safety, Cautions & Contraindications

Safety note^{[3, 7]}Serious

Rare but serious drug-induced liver injury (hepatitis, cirrhosis, liver failure) has been reported with kava; it is contraindicated in people with liver disease and should not be combined with alcohol or other medicines that can harm the liver. To reduce risk, use only water-based extracts of peeled root/rhizome from a noble cultivar, keep the dose at or below about 250 mg kavalactones per day, and use short-term only. Stop and seek care for signs of liver trouble (dark urine, jaundice, nausea, abdominal pain).

Safety note^{[1, 6]}Caution

Kava is sedating and can add to the effects of alcohol, benzodiazepines and other central-nervous-system depressants, impairing alertness and driving; avoid such combinations. Not recommended in pregnancy or breastfeeding, or before surgery.

Synonyms

Macropiper methysticum

Drug Class Interactions

Safety note^{[1, 6, 9]}Caution

Drug Class: sedatives-cns-depressants

Mechanism: Kava adds to central-nervous-system depression, so combining it with benzodiazepines, sleeping tablets, opioids, barbiturates or alcohol can cause excessive drowsiness and impaired coordination.

Reviewed By: Omnia Sana (owner-authorized)

Reviewed Date: 2026-07-03

Pairings

Kava and valerian are both calming, sedating herbs; taken together they may add up to cause excessive drowsiness, so use caution and avoid before driving or combining with other sedatives.^[1]

Partner Id: valeriana-officinalis

Type: caution

Reviewed By: Omnia Sana (owner-authorized)

Reviewed Date: 2026-07-03

Kava and passionflower are both relaxing, sedating herbs; combined use may deepen drowsiness and sedation, so use caution.^[1]

Partner Id: passiflora-incarnata

Type: caution

Reviewed By: Omnia Sana (owner-authorized)

Reviewed Date: 2026-07-03

References

REF-2460, REF-2544, REF-2545, REF-2546, REF-2547

Common Slug

kava

References & Sources

Block, K.I., Gyllenhaal, C. and Mead, M.N (2004) 'Safety and efficacy of herbal sedatives in cancer care', Integrative Cancer Therapies, 3(2), pp. 128-148. doi:10.1177/1534735404265003 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1177/1534735404265003
Pittler, M.H. and Ernst, E (2000) 'Efficacy of kava extract for treating anxiety: systematic review and meta-analysis', Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology, 20(1), pp. 84-89. doi:10.1097/00004714-200002000-00014 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1097/00004714-200002000-00014
Smith, K. and Leiras, C (2018) 'The effectiveness and safety of Kava Kava for treating anxiety symptoms: A systematic review and analysis of randomized clinical trials', Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 33, pp. 107-117. doi:10.1016/j.ctcp.2018.09.003 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctcp.2018.09.003
Zhang, W., Yan, Y., Wu, Y., Yang, H., Zhu, P., Yan, F., Zhao, R., Tian, P., Wang, T., Fan, Q. and Su, Z (2022) 'Medicinal herbs for the treatment of anxiety: A systematic review and network meta-analysis', Pharmacological Research, 179, pp. 106204. doi:10.1016/j.phrs.2022.106204 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phrs.2022.106204
Sarris, J (2018) 'Herbal medicines in the treatment of psychiatric disorders: 10-year updated review', Phytotherapy Research, 32(7), pp. 1147-1162. doi:10.1002/ptr.6055 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.6055
Pittler, M.H. and Ernst, E (2003) 'Kava extract for treating anxiety', Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2003(1), pp. CD003383. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD003383 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD003383
Teschke, R., Qiu, S.X., Xuan, T.D. and Lebot, V (2011) 'Kava and kava hepatotoxicity: requirements for novel experimental, ethnobotanical and clinical studies based on a review of the evidence', Phytotherapy Research, 25(9), pp. 1263-1274. doi:10.1002/ptr.3464 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.3464
Sarris, J., Kavanagh, D.J., Adams, J., Bone, K. and Byrne, G (2009) 'Kava Anxiety Depression Spectrum Study (KADSS): a mixed methods RCT using an aqueous extract of Piper methysticum', Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 17(3), pp. 176-178. doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2009.01.001 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2009.01.001
Pittler, M.H. and Ernst, E (2003) 'Kava extract for treating anxiety', Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2003(1), pp. CD003383. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD003383 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD003383

Generated July 6, 2026 from omniasana.bio