Does Kava Work?

Kava is one of the world's most popular, but controversial, herbal supplements. Several reports have linked kava to liver disease, but proponents of kava note that these side effects are rare and constitute a lower general risk than prescription anxiety treatments. But befoer you make the choice to use kava or not, you'll probably wonder, "Does kava work?"

Depending on why you want to use kava, it may work well or fail miserably. Here's a basic run-down of the about of evidence supporting kava's use.

What Kava Probably Works For

There is very solid scientific evidence supporting the use of kava as a treatment for anxiety, including anxiety related to menopause. In fact, kava appears to be as effective as prescription benzodiazepines, such as Xanax and Valium, for treating symptoms of anxiety. Kava also reduces withdrawal symptoms in people who need to stop taking benzodiaepines. If you have an anxiety disorder, consult your health care provider about the benefits of kava compared to prescription drugs.

What Kava Might Work For

Many of kava's uses have not been well-studied; they are based in theory and tradition rather than scientific evidence. Kava might work as a treatment for stress, restlessness, colds, headaches, fatigue, depression, epilepsy, menstrual problems and epilepsy. More studies, including human clinical trials, are needed to prove kava's effectiveness as a treatment option for these conditions. For now, there is insufficient evidence to confirm or refute claims regarding its efficacy for people coping with these conditions.

What Kava Doesn't Work For

Some of kava's uses are disproven or scientifically implausible. Although kava does help to ease anxiety symptoms, it does not appear to work as a treatment for insomnia. It is also ineffective as a treatment for liver disease and may cause fatal complications for people with liver problems. While sometimes recommended as a complementary cancer treatment, kava does not work alone as a cure for cancer or any other life-threatening condition