Dosages and Applications of Kava Kava

There are several different ways to take Kava Kava. The traditional way is to drink it as the Pacific Islanders do, preferably no more than three cups a day. For those of us who tend to get our herbs from herb stores instead of chewed up and spit into a bowl by old men, there are extracts and capsules to choose from. The standard dosage is one dropper of tincture three times a day, or two capsules three times a day. However, you can increase your dosage if you find it necessary. A full bottle of extract a day would be too much, but two to three full droppers three times a day should not lead to an increase in liver toxicity. Sixty capsules of Kava Kava would be too much, but five capsules three times a day should not have any affect on the liver either. Some people find that they only need to take Kava Kava right before bed, while others find it necessary to take it as a preventative measure to keep their anxiety at bay. Dr. Christopher said the best way to use Kava Kava was by grinding the root and making an infusion.

For toothache or other mouth problems, you would chew a couple of leaves until your mouth achieved a numbing effect. To use it as a local anesthetic or pain reliever you could apply a liniment of Kava Kava externally.

Or, you could make your own traditional preparation of Kava Kava by chewing a small amount of the root. When you have a sufficient amount chewed up, put the pieces of Kava Kava into a bowl and mash them with a cup of fresh water. Strain the liquid through a cloth to remove the woody material. Sugar cane juice or honey can be added to sweeten the drink.

One of the debates about Kava Kava dosage is standardized extracts versus non-standardized extracts. The School of Natural Healing favors non-standardized extracts, as you will receive the benefit from the whole plant, not just the chemicals that man has decided are the most beneficial. When standardized Kava Kava is mentioned, it means that the kavalactone levels have been standardized, occasionally up to seventy percent! A double-blind study was done with a seventy percent standardized extract of Kava Kava. Twenty-nine patients were given 100 milligrams of Kava Kava extract three times a day, and twenty-nine patients were given a placebo three times a day. Therapeutic effectiveness was measured using standard psychological assessments. Over a four-week period, it was shown that the individuals taking the Kava Kava extract had a statistically significant reduction in symptoms of anxiety, including feelings of nervousness, somatic complaints such as heart palpitations, chest pains, headache, dizziness, and feelings of gastric irritation. No side effects were reported.