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While kava may be beneficial for anxiety, many people are concerned about its potential side effects.
In the early 2000s, several cases of liver toxicity were reported related to kava consumption.
The US Food and Drug Administration later warned about the risk of liver damage associated with products containing kava. Its use has even been banned or restricted in many countries, including Germany, Switzerland, France, Canada and the UK. However, the ban in Germany was later lifted due to poor evidence of related risks.
Kava is thought to harm the liver in many ways, one of which involves how it interacts with certain drugs.
The liver enzymes that break down kava also break down other drugs. Thus, kava can tie up these enzymes and prevent them from breaking down other drugs, causing them to build up and harm the liver.
Adulteration is another reason kava products are thought to be unsafe.
To save money, some companies use other parts of the kava plant, such as the leaves or stems, instead of the roots. The leaves and stems are known to harm the liver.
Still, several analyses of studies on the topic have found no evidence of liver damage in people who have taken these supplements in the short term, or about 1–24 weeks.
Therefore, people without liver injuries and those who are not taking medications that affect the liver may be able to use kava safely in appropriate doses for about one to two months. *
