Yes. Kava, as defined by the Kava Act of 2002 (an aqueous extract of the root) has been used for centuries safely and modern scientific literature is growing in support for its safety. In regards to extracts, ethanolic extractions of noble kavas have proven safe in many controlled research studies, however the fact remains that the safety of the extract will coincide with the quality of the beginning product.
Is Kava Safe?
Introduction
Regarding Kava's safety, I will outline what we know so far. Only experts (researchers with a PhD who have authored peer reviewed research) will be included as experts.
Dr. Vincent Lebot
Dr. Lebot's name will come up quite a bit in the coming article. Therefore, take a little bit of time to read about him below.
For those who aren't familiar with Dr. Lebot, he is a (if not, the) leading researcher and authored the book "Kava: The Pacific Elixir". He has a PhD and is a botanical geneticist and has authored 15 peer-reviewed articles, seven of which are related to kava. This link will show you all of his articles:
[https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=lebot, vincent]
He has helped to write a piece of legislation called the "Kava Act of 2002" which remains as the only piece of legislation (other than interdictions) for kava.
This can be found here: https://faolex.fao.org/docs/html/van38473.htm
Dr. Vincent Lebot
Dr. Lebot's name will come up quite a bit in the coming article. Therefore, take a little bit of time to read about him below.
For those who aren't familiar with Dr. Lebot, he is a (if not, the) leading researcher and authored the book "Kava: The Pacific Elixir". He has a PhD and is a botanical geneticist and has authored 15 peer-reviewed articles, seven of which are related to kava. This link will show you all of his articles:
[https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=lebot, vincent]
He has helped to write a piece of legislation called the "Kava Act of 2002" which remains as the only piece of legislation (other than interdictions) for kava.
This can be found here: https://faolex.fao.org/docs/html/van38473.htm
Noble, Tudei, ISA, Explanation and Information
Now, when the word "noble" comes up, that means "suitable for everyday drinking". They are interchangeable.
While the Kava Act of 2002 (above) outlines what "noble" kava is, that was referring to Vanuatu specifically.
Please keep in mind that the word noble does not refer only to Kava from Vanuatu, as we have as a community, agreed upon. Many kavas outside of Vanuatu are suitable for daily drinking and Dr. Lebot has confirmed this:
While the Kava Act of 2002 (above) outlines what "noble" kava is, that was referring to Vanuatu specifically.
Please keep in mind that the word noble does not refer only to Kava from Vanuatu, as we have as a community, agreed upon. Many kavas outside of Vanuatu are suitable for daily drinking and Dr. Lebot has confirmed this:
A Standard for Kava
A Standard for Kava
The industry is working on a way to set up a standard for all Oceanic kava producing nations. You can find the codex standard attached.
The industry is working on a way to set up a standard for all Oceanic kava producing nations. You can find the codex standard attached.
Safety of Kava
Dr. Vincent Lebot:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22585547
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21112196
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21756963
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21377431
This from the World Health Organization (found in Codex linked above)
"The kava drink, has been consumed in Pacific Island Countries for centuries without any reported ill-effects on the liver [4], is made from a water extract of the root and/or rhizome of Piper methysticum. A recent WHO risk assessment concluded that clinical trial of kava have not revealed hepatoxicity as a problem [5] suggesting that water extracts are devoid of toxic effects [6] and recommending that products should be developed from water-based suspensions of kava [7]. The safety of water based kava drinks is supported by long-term ethno-pharmacological observations [8]."
[4.] WHO (2007): Assessment of the risk of hepatotoxicity with kava products, p.4
[5.] WHO (2007): Assessment of the risk of hepatotoxicity with kava products, p. 62
[6.] WHO (2007): Assessment of the risk of hepatotoxicity with kava products, p. 59
[7.] WHO (2007): Assessment of the risk of hepatotoxicity with kava products, p. 62
[8]. Loew & Gaus (2002) in:WHO (2007):, p.11
These studies confirm that kava, as outlined and described by Dr. Lebot above, is completely safe to drink every day.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22585547
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21112196
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21756963
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21377431
This from the World Health Organization (found in Codex linked above)
"The kava drink, has been consumed in Pacific Island Countries for centuries without any reported ill-effects on the liver [4], is made from a water extract of the root and/or rhizome of Piper methysticum. A recent WHO risk assessment concluded that clinical trial of kava have not revealed hepatoxicity as a problem [5] suggesting that water extracts are devoid of toxic effects [6] and recommending that products should be developed from water-based suspensions of kava [7]. The safety of water based kava drinks is supported by long-term ethno-pharmacological observations [8]."
[4.] WHO (2007): Assessment of the risk of hepatotoxicity with kava products, p.4
[5.] WHO (2007): Assessment of the risk of hepatotoxicity with kava products, p. 62
[6.] WHO (2007): Assessment of the risk of hepatotoxicity with kava products, p. 59
[7.] WHO (2007): Assessment of the risk of hepatotoxicity with kava products, p. 62
[8]. Loew & Gaus (2002) in:WHO (2007):, p.11
Explanation by Dr. Lebot
"Dr. Lebot is the foremost expert on kava. He lives and works in Vanuatu. This is his response. It cannot be explained any better than this.
Is kava antimicrobial?
We've seen many people state over time that kava contains antimicrobial properties which cause it to be acceptable to leave out for an extended time. This is false. Kava contains many starches and fibers which bacterium love to feast on. Even in refrigeration the stated safety time is <2 days.
https://sfamjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.1472-765X.2009.02739.x
https://sfamjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.1472-765X.2009.02739.x
How many livers should I keep stocked up?
The most commonly asked question regarding kava is "Is kava toxic to your liver?"
Let's put this to bed right here and now.
No.
Idiosyncratic reactions of the immunologic type have been seen (~6 total cases out of the millions of daily kava extract doses consumed in the world). These cases are extraordinarily rare, and were isolated to extracts made with solvents. Experiencing this would be akin to being struck twice by lightning while purchasing the winning lottery ticket all at the same time. There has been zero evidence in the past and present which would tie powdered kava to liver injury. None. Saying this means precisely that kava has no intrinsic toxicity to the liver.
To put this into perspective, green tea and extracts of green tea (EGCG) have a higher instance of real intrinsic liver injury by far.
Let's put this to bed right here and now.
No.
Idiosyncratic reactions of the immunologic type have been seen (~6 total cases out of the millions of daily kava extract doses consumed in the world). These cases are extraordinarily rare, and were isolated to extracts made with solvents. Experiencing this would be akin to being struck twice by lightning while purchasing the winning lottery ticket all at the same time. There has been zero evidence in the past and present which would tie powdered kava to liver injury. None. Saying this means precisely that kava has no intrinsic toxicity to the liver.
To put this into perspective, green tea and extracts of green tea (EGCG) have a higher instance of real intrinsic liver injury by far.