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Kava, the anxiolytic herb: back to basics to prevent liver injury?
Author(s) -
Teschke Rolf,
Sarris Jerome,
Glass Xaver,
Schulze Johannes
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
british journal of clinical pharmacology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.216
H-Index - 146
eISSN - 1365-2125
pISSN - 0306-5251
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2125.2010.03775.x
Subject(s) - kava , liver toxicity , herb , medicine , traditional medicine , anxiolytic , liver injury , medicinal herbs , toxicity , pharmacology , anxiety , psychiatry
The use of the anxiolytic herb kava has caused toxic liver injury in Western countries and economic problems in South Pacific Islands due to tthe regulatory ban on kava. This analysis shows poor quality of kava raw material as a cause for its toxicity and suggests preventative measures by going back to the traditional use of kava for the sake of the patients and the South Pacific economy.