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.

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" (2001) by Chris Kilham.