Kava a Rising Star Among Herbal Therapies
Kava a Rising Star Among Herbal Therapies
Physicians are likely to field more questions about kava in the next few months now that the herbal product industry has earmarked this root extract as having the potential to be the industry's next St. John's wort in terms of sales. And, like St. John's wort, kava is touted as a remedy for mental disorders, in this case stress and anxiety.
The July 13 issue of USA Today featured kava in its lifestyle section, noting that the drug is seen by many as a natural alternative to Xanax and Valium. Chris Kilham, the author of Kava Medicine Hunting in Paradise: The Pursuit of a Natural Alternative to Anti-Anxiety Drugs and Sleeping Pills (Inner Traditions Intl. Ltd., 1996; $12.95), told the newspaper that taking kava was the herbal equivalent of having a soak in a hot tub and a massage.
Kilham's book is one of several that tout kava as a stress buster. Psychiatrist Harold H. Bloomfield recommends kava in his best-selling book Healing Anxiety With Herbs (HarperCollins, May 1998; $23). Among uses he mentioned in the USA Today article are situational anxieties, such as fear of flying, as well as chronic worrying. Another book, Kava: The Miracle Anti-Anxiety Herb by Ray Sahelian, was published in March (St. Martins Press; $5.99).
Forbes magazine noted the kava craze in its December 29, 1997, issue with an article spotlighting the business success of Colorado-based Pep Products/ Natural Balance, Inc. Forbes editors called kava a "Fijian godsend" for the company and noted that the magazine's staffers participated in a "non-clinical trial" of the herb that resulted in "at best, a mild cheerfulness and no discernible calm."
Prevention featured kava as "nature's stress buster" in October 1997. Editors there noted German research that found kava was effective in relieving anxiety and stress while also noting the potential side effect of a yellow discoloration of the skin. The editors did warn readers that kava is not recommended for long-term use, and they urged the herbal products industry to market kava in a responsible manner.
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