Kava: Risks, Side Effects, and Liver Toxicity - A Comprehensive Overview

Kava (also called kava kava) is a crop from the Pacific that means "pepper," but is used as an herbal remedy to relax or sedate. It has been raising concerns from health care organizations throughout the world and banned in certain countries because of its negative effects on the liver and throughout the body.

Liver damage

• Liver damage has been reported from kava use--severe liver failure toxicity.

Skin eruption

• Large doses of kava may cause kava dermopathy--scaly skin eruptions.

Organ damage

• Long-term large doses of kava may lead to hypertension, low protein and abnormal blood cells.

Fatigue

• Kava use can cause muscle weakness, impaired vision, shortness of breath and dizziness.

Parkinson's interaction

• Kava has been known to affect people suffering from Parkinson's disease, including inducing coma in these patients.