How to Use Kava

Kava is an herb whose root is ground up and used for a number of medicinal purposes. Though kava and other herbal supplements have risen in popularity in the United States for just a short time, the National Library of Medicine (NLM) reports through its service Medline that the herb has been routinely used to treat anxiety and other disorders in Europe and the South Pacific for more than 200 years. Kava can be safe in some situations but may contribute to liver damage in some people, according to warnings given by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Instructions

• 1

  Make an appointment with your doctor prior to using kava to treat anxiety, asthma, hormonal changes that occur with menopause or insomnia. Bring a list of the medications and supplements you may already be taking for your doctor's perusal. Kava may not be right for you if you take medication to manage Parkinson's disease, for example.

• 2

  Know the type of kava that is appropriate for you to use. The herb is available as a topical anesthetic, as an ingredient in teas and other beverages or in tablet form. Your doctor can help you make this determination after you have discussed your reasons for wanting to use kava.

• 3

  Follow standard dosing suggestions for kava, as outlined in the MedlinePlus entry for the herb (see Resources). Kava is measured in lactones. Most adults can safely begin taking 50 mg of lactones every evening before bed and may slowly increase the dosage over time to 100 mg. The use of kava in children has not been sufficiently studied to determine whether it is safe.

• 4

  Be aware of the side effects you may experience when using kava as a medicinal agent. Using a topical form of kava over time can lead to yellow, scaly skin. Oral forms of the supplement can result in liver damage, muscle spasms, stomach upset and drowsiness.