Kava and the liver. It’s a challenging topic that has been a huge debate and has ruined kava’s reputation since the early 1990s. It’s probably the most publicized myth about kava there. What makes it even more complicated is that the information about it is so polarized; you can find evidence for both sides of the coin if you want it. So what’s the truth? Does kava cause liver damage?
We are going to break down the facts here and discuss where all this information came from, the evidence against it, and what it all means for you.
Where the liver damage story started
The issues about kava being hard on the liver started back in the 1990s in Western Europe when there were increasing reports of people getting liver damage and some even dying after taking an herbal kava supplement. Of course, this caused alarm and led to the EU banning kava in many countries due to safety concerns.
However, it turns out that the issue wasn’t actually kava itself. There is an unfortunate assumption that many natural supplements are automatically safe. While they are mostly free of many side effects that you find with pharmaceutical drugs, they still may have interaction effects, which means how they work with other medications or supplements you may be taking.
Supplements vs. traditional kava
On the other hand, supplements often contain additives and fillers to boost sales profits and increase shelf stability. This means that other ingredients may be present that could affect how the supplement works. In kava’s case, most of the supplements given in the studies were in tablet form, which is very different from the traditional tea preparation that Pacific Islanders use.
Furthermore, when looking at many of the case studies involving liver transplants or death shows that most of the patients were either taking a kava supplement with other ingredients or medication alongside it.
Traditionally, kava is used in a tea form. The root is dried, ground, and steeped into an earthy beverage that’s drunk with friends, family, and at community gatherings. There are no other additives except water or coconut milk, which is the powder that is mixed with.
The WHO report
In the early 2000s, the World Health Organization (WHO) did an in-depth review of kava’s effects on the liver. It examined all of the research, clinical reports, and historical and cultural stories to try and determine if kava was, in fact, hard on the liver. They found that the liver damage was linked to impure or contaminated kava supplements or other medications or substances with the kava that caused problems.
The conclusion was that kava root is safe, especially if used traditionally, in a pure form as a beverage away from other substances. We still don’t fully understand how kava interacts with other substances, so like alcohol, it’s best not to mix. That’s great news for us!
The takeaway about kava and liver damage
So, despite what you may have heard, traditional kava is safe and not hard on your liver. It’s exciting that we can challenge old evidence and reframe and re-educate people about how the benefits of kava outweigh the claimed harms.
There’s growing evidence challenging misconceptions about kava, suggesting its benefits in treating conditions like anxiety, sleep disorders, depression, and possibly ADHD. As outdated myths about kava’s harmfulness fade, this opens up opportunities for more research and advocacy and helping people find kava for its health benefits.
* Please note that the majority of kava research pertains to kava extracts, which often undergo significant processing and may contain additional ingredients and fillers that can influence their efficacy. It is crucial to consider this distinction when reading about kava studies. To draw an analogy, enjoying natural kava as a beverage can be likened to experiencing a freshly brewed cappuccino, whereas kava extracts are akin in functionality to a caffeine pill. Both forms have their unique benefits and can cater to different preferences and needs. While it’s helpful to understand research on kava extracts, please view it critically and remember that natural kava offers a uniquely holistic experience.
