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THIS IS NOT AN ARTICLE
WRITTEN BY KONA KAVA FARM. WE DO NOT ENDORSE,
AGREE/DISAGREE, OR PROVIDE ANY VERIFICATION OF ANY OF
THE INFORMATION CONTAINED WITHIN IT. THIS IS A
INDIVIDUAL'S OPINION AND WE ARE SIMPLY RE-PRINTING IT
HERE.
In 1997, the Kava
Committee of the American Herbal Products Association (ARPA)
commissioned a study on kava. The resulting report
concluded that "Without medical supervision and advice,
duration of kava use should be limited to a period of
three months." The report does not suggest any rationale
for this recommendation, which I find completely
baseless for kava dosages.
I personally know many dozens of individuals who have
consumed great quantities of kava daily for decades
without harm. The Kava Committee report further urged
kava manufacturers to voluntarily recommend a maximum
daily dosage of 300 milligrams of kavalactones on their
product labels. Yet there is no research of any kind to
support such a diminutive and restrictive dosage
recommendation.
A single shell of kava as served in Vanuatu can contain
anywhere from 150 to 500 milligrams of kavalactones,
depending on the variety used, the method of
preparation, the ratio of kava root to water, and the
volume of kava per shell. Kava drinkers there consume
anywhere from 500 to 2,500 milligrams of kavalactones
per day for years at a time without any apparent ill
effects. This casts the Kava Committee recommendation in
a highly questionable light.
Successful human clinical studies show that a daily dose
of between 70 and 210 milligrams of kava lactones can
effectively mitigate anxiety in many cases. To promote
sleep, a dose of between 150 and 200 milligrams of
kavalactones taken 30 to 60 minutes prior to retiring is
effective. But employing kava to mitigate anxiety or
sleeplessness is quite different from using kava to
produce a pleasurable feeling of tranquility.
In the latter case, the kava dosages consumed will
typically be much higher. At natural products
conventions, I personally have dispensed concentrated
fluid kava extract in doses of 600 milligrams of
kavalactones to several thousand people. Many
individuals consumed several cups without suffering ill
effects.
Unfortunately, many kava products on the market today
are absolute rubbish. You get what you pay for with
kava, and I want to caution you against going for
cheapo, ineffective products. Only an extract of kava
will relieve stress and produce a tranquil effect.
Tablets and capsules of "kava herb," "whole kava root,"
or other ground-up preparations of the plant are a waste
of time and money.
Look for kava extracts in tablets, capsules, or fluids
that clearly state the concentration of kavalactones per
dose. A single dose of kava extract in tablet or capsule
form should deliver a minimum of 70 milligrams of
kavalactones. Kava extracts in soft gelatin capsules
will also contain oil or lecithin, both of which enhance
the absorption and overall effects of the kava. A fluid
extract should deliver 100 milligrams of kavalactones or
more per milliliter. Avoid products that do not deliver
at least these kava dosages, as you will most likely get
no effect.
Excerpted from "Psyche Delicacies" by Chris Kilham. |
