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Aloha everyone!
Recently, I posted an article about our Kavalovetone product, which is a blend of kava and a number of other healing herbs. One of our readers left a comment expressing concern that it is blended herbal combinations, such our Kavalovetone, which are responsible for the cases of liver failure that have tarnished kava’s good name in the west for so many years now. I’d like to take a moment to address these concerns, and to discuss the safety of herbal combinations in general, particularly those that contain kava. I know I discuss safety a whole lot on my blog, but as kava becomes more and more popular, I find it is necessary to address everyone’s concerns to ensure that as many people as possible feel safe and comfortable working with this marvelous healer.
As our commenter pointed out, kava has been used for thousands of years by Pacific islanders with very few negative side effects recorded. It is only in more recent years that we have seen a very small number of cases of liver damage that have been associated with kava by the media. None of these cases, however, were related to kava that was blended with other herbs. As a matter of fact, kava is traditionally blended with many other plants and herbs to potentiate the activity of the root, similar to many other ceremonial plant medicines, including chili peppers and the leaves of other species of pepper. Kava has been blended with all sorts of other traditional plants for thousands of years!
So, why did the FDA issue an advisory about kava? Well, the most obvious reason is that kava that is not prepared properly can be very dangerous. All ancient kava-using cultures understand that the above-ground portions of the plant are toxic and should never be consumed – only the roots of the plant are safe. It can be difficult to know whether the kava you are purchasing online or in a shop is prepared in a safe fashion, especially if the kava is powdered or in pill form. Knowing whether or not it is blended with other herbs means nothing in this situation. Therefore, we recommend that you only purchase kava from companies who very clearly state that their kava is only produced using the below-ground portions of the plant.
This is not to say that kava is safe to mix with everything, or that all herbal combinations are safe. It is essential to have a basic knowledge of the herbs you are combining, as some can produce negative effects when combined. More important than that is being aware of any pharmaceutical medications you may be taking – some pharmaceuticals react in strange or unpredictable ways with herbs, so ALWAYS ask your doctor before combining a new herb with your prescription. And finally, alcohol is one of the most damaging substances to the liver available, so it is very important to be aware of potential liver toxicity in herbs you may be taking, and to avoid combining those herbs with alcohol – this can potentiate the damage caused by both substances.
At present, no definitive scientific proof has come forth confirming any detrimental effects of kava, and there’s no research at all on the effects of kava when combined with other synergistic herbs. In my opinion, given the traditional methods of blending kava with other herbs, it’s even possible that synergistic combinations of kava and other herbs may be more beneficial for the body than just kava alone!
Essentially, I am asking you to be careful and do some research when using herbal medicines (and pharmaceuticals, for that matter). The ingredients in our Kavalovetone are primarily non-reactive, but as I mentioned in my previous article, the St. John’s Wort may react with birth control pills and SSRIs. The valerian may also make you sleepy, so it’s important not to take these capsules and then drive a car, and I wouldn’t recommend drinking with these capsules either.
Before you start consuming a new substance, take a moment, do some research, and make sure that it will play well with any medications you are presently taking, as well as with any other herbs and supplements that you like to work with. We offer many pure forms of kava and kava alkaloids, so if you are concerned about the safety of using multiple herbs, you can always stick with those to keep things simple. It is our responsibility as healers and conscious beings to ensure that we care for and support our bodies with the medicines we can choose; the more we learn about our medicines, the more we will learn to heal ourselves safely and effectively. It is up to each and every one of us to know what is best for our own bodies. And, with the help of the internet and a bit of awareness, I believe you’ll find this task simple, and even enjoyable!
Aloha no,
Makaira