HERBAL MONOGRAPHS KAVA KAVA/445How Supplied:
Capsules — 100 mg, 125 mg, 128 mg, 150 mg, 250 mg, 390
mg, 400 mg, 425 mg, 455 mg, 500 mgLiquid — 1:1, 1:2
Preparation: There are a number of different extraction
recipes depending on the pharmaceutical companies.
Daily Dosage:
Capsules — The root extract is taken 150 mg to 300 mg
twice daily, with a daily dosage of kava pyrones 50 to 240
mg (Herberg, 1996; Lehmann, 1996).Tincture — The tincture is taken as 30 drops with water
three times daily (Chavallier, 1996).
Infusion — Take 1/2 cup twice daily (Chavallier. 1996).
Note: The drug should be administered with food or liquid
due to its lipid solubility (Fachinfo Antares 120 (R). 1996).
The activity of the herb is enhanced when mixtures of the
kava pyrones are taken instead of a single pyrone (Jamieson,
1989).
Homeopathic Dosage: The herb is taken as 5 to 10 drops, 1
i tablet or 5 to 10 globules 1 to 3 times daily, or 1 ml injection
solution sc twice weekly (HAB1).
Storage: The herb should be stored away from direct light,
moisture and heat at room temperature.
LITERATURE
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Backhaus C, Krieglstein J. (1992) Extract of kava and its
methysticin constituents protect brain tissue against ischaemic
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Baum SS, Hill R, Rommelspacher H, Effect of kava extract and
individual kavapyrones on neurotransmitter levels in the nucleus
accumbens of rats. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry
1998 Oct;22(7): 1105-20.
Bhate H, Gerster G, Fracza E, (1989) Orale Pramedikation mit
Zubereitungen aus Piper methysticum bei operativen Eingriffen
in Epiduralanasthesie. Erfahrungsheilkunde 6:339-345.
Bhate H, Gerster G, Behandlung mit Phytotranquilizern vor der
Narkose. Therapeutikon 1992 5:214-222.
Chavallier, A, The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants. DK
Publishing Company, New York, New York, 1996.
Cupp MJ, Herbal remedies: adverse effects and drug
interactions. Am Fam Physician 1999 Mar 1;59(5): 1239-45.
Davies LP, Drew CA, Duffield P et al., Kava pyrones and
resin: studies on GABAA, GABAB and benzodiazepine binding
sites in rodent brain. Pharmacol Toxicol 1992 Aug;71(2): 120-6.
Dingermann T, Phytopharmaka im Alter: Crataegus, Ginkgo.
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Emser W, Bartylla K, (1991) Verbesserung der Schlafqualitat.
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Fachinformation: Antares (R) 120, kava-kava extract. Krewel
Meuselbach GmbH, Eitorf, 1996.
Fachinformation: Kavasporai (R) forte, kava-kava extract.
Mueller Goeppingen Gmbh & Co KG, Goeppingen, 1996.
Friese J, Gleitz J, Kavain, dihydrokavain, and dihydro-
methysticin non-competitively inhibit the specific binding of
[3H]-batrachotoxinin-A 20-alpha-benzoate to receptor site 2 of
voltage-gated Na+ channels. Planta Med 1998 Jun:64(5):458-9.
Garner LF & Klinger JD, Some visual effects caused by the
beverage kava. J Ethnopharmacol 1985; 13:307-311.
Gepner B, Cnota P, (1994) Untersuchung der Vigilanz nach
Applikation von Kava-Kava-Extrakt, Diazepam oder Placebo. Z
Phytother 15:30-37.
Gleitz J, Beile A, Wilkens P et al.. Antithrombotic action of
the kava pyrone (+)-kavain prepared from Piper methysticum on
human platelets. Planta Med 1997 Feb;63(l):27-30.
Gleitz J et al., Kavain inhibits non-stereospecifically veratridine-
activated Na+; channels. Planta Med 62(6):580-581. 1996.
Gleitz J, Friese J, Beile A et al.. Anticonvulsive action of (+/-)-
kavain estimated from its properties on stimulated synaptosomes
and Na+ channel receptor sites. Eur J Pharmacol 1996 Nov
7:315(l):89-97.
Gleitz J, Beile A, Peters T et al., (+/-)-Kavain inhibits
veratridine-activated voltage-dependent Na(+)-channels in
synaptosomes prepared from rat cerebral cortex.
Neuropharmacology 1995 Sep;34(9): 1133-8.
Hansel R, Beiersdorff HU, (1955) Arzneim Forsch 9:581.
Hansel R, Kava-Kava (Piper methysticum G. Forster), in der
modernen Arzneimittelforschung Portarit einer Arzneipflanze. In:
ZPT 17(3): 180-195. 1996.
Hansel R, Pflanzliche Sedativa. In: ZPT 11(1):14. 1990.
Hansel R, Woelk H, (1995) Spektrum Kava-Kava. 2. Auflage.
Aesopus Verlag GmbH, Basel.
Herberg KW, Alltagssicherheit unter Kava-Kava-Extrakt,
Bromazepam und deren Kombination. Z Allge Med
1996;72:973-977.
Herberg KW, (1991) Fahrtuchtigkeit nach Einnahme von Kava-
Spezial-Extrakt WS 1490. Z Allge Med 67:842-846.
Jamieson DD, Duffield PH, The antinociceptive actions of kava
components in mice. Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol 1990
Jul;17(7):495-507.
Jamieson DD, Duffield PH, Cheng D et al., Comparison of the
central nervous system activity of the aqueous and lipid extract
of kava (Piper methysticum). Arch Int Pharmacodyn Ther 1989
Sep-Oct;301:66-80.
Jamieson DD, Duffield PH, Positive interaction of ethanol and
kava resin in mice. Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol 1990
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