Kava Reduces Anxiety? | Important Research

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Kava Reduces Anxiety?

Kava is a plant root that has been used for centuries in the treatment of cystitis, gout and other conditions. The strength and quality of kava extracts are determined by the presence of a chemical compound called pyrone-the more pyrone, the more potent the extract.

This study assessed the effects of a powerful kava extract containing approximately 10 times more pyrone than natural kava root. One hundred and one German patients suffering from various non-psychotic anxiety disorders (agoraphobia and other phobias, adjustment disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, etc.) were administered the extract or a placebo three times a day for 25 weeks.

Patients were evaluated by way of a mood scale, a self-reported symptom inventory and an adverse events questionnaire prior to the study and at weeks 12 and 24. Three-fourths (75.5%) of the patients in the kava group reported "much improvement" in anxiety levels, while only 24.5% reported "no improvement." These perceived improvements were significantly higher than patients in the placebo group (51.2% reporting much improvement and 48.8% reporting no improvement).

Conventional pharmacological strategies for managing anxiety-based disorders (i.e., benzodiazepines and tricyclic antidepressants) carry the potential for tolerance problems and side effects. Extracts of kava may be a more effective, less problematic form of intervention.

Volz HP, Kieser M. Kava-Kava extract WS 1490 versus placebo in anxiety disorders-a randomized placebo-controlled 25-week outpatient trial. Pharmacopsychiatry, 1997;30, pp1-5.