Kava Fact of the Day Kava Allergy

[The Kap'n]

Today’s fact of the day will combine real submissions to r/kava and kavaforums with a scientific study on kava and mast cells. Comments are welcome.



Drinkers have enjoyed kava for millennia with minimal reports of side effects. Side effects of kava have traditionally been limited to nausea, lethargy, and dry skin. Over the years we have noticed a trend developing in a very small fraction of new kava users. These new users will pick up kava for a few weeks or a month and then suddenly develop hives and/or flushing on their face and upper body. These users may even change kava sources to find the same issue. This seem to happen regardless of whether crude extracts (full spectrum) or powdered kavas were consumed in the scenario.



See examples here:

https://kavaforums.com/forum/threads/bad-allergic-reaction.1110/

https://kavaforums.com/forum/threads/kava-allergy.1344/



https://kavaforums.com/forum/threads/allergic-or-did-i-drink-to-much.1007/#post-11157



Mast Cells: A mast cell is a resident cell of connective tissue that contains many granules rich in histamine and heparin [1].

Currently is it thought that kava interacts with the body’s mast cells in several ways.

• The elevation of free calcium is a critical step in mast cell activation. This was investigated in regards to kava. Kava was seen to elevate free calcium levels robustly in a dose dependent manner [2].
• Traditionally prepared kava can cause degranulation of mast cells, which releases histamine and other molecules from the vesicles of the mast cells which can cause allergy like symptoms [2].

Mast cell activation and degranulation is histamine release, which can be observed in these instances as hives or full flushing. Other symptoms of mast cell activation include abdominal pain, diarrhea, and runny itchy nose. Mast cells are concentrated in areas of the skin near follicles, sebaceous glands, and sweat glands [3]. We already know from long time kava drinkers that these sebaceous glands and follicles are slightly affected as evidenced by dermopathy and sties. People experiencing hives and flushing are likely to have other allergic issues which relate to mast cell activation. Allergic reactions occur when the allergy antibody IgE binds to allergens to activate mast cells and release histamine among other chemicals. The antibody IgE was found significantly elevated among kava users [4].

In conclusion, if you’ve started drinking kava recently, and are met with hives and skin reddening, it is best advised to immediately quit kava. Some people have attempted taking antihistamines; however, it doesn’t change the physiology of why excess histamine is being released in the first place. It’s best if you find yourself in this situation to stop.


[1] Mast cell. (2021, February 27). Retrieved March 17, 2021, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mast_cell

[2] Shimoda LM, Park C, Stokes AJ, Gomes HH, Turner H. Pacific island 'Awa (Kava) extracts, but not isolated kavalactones, promote proinflammatory responses in model mast cells. Phytother Res. 2012 Dec;26(12):1934-41. doi: 10.1002/ptr.4652. Epub 2012 Apr 4. PMID: 22473598; PMCID: PMC3773481. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22473598/

[3] Fong, M., & Crane, J. S. (2021). Histology, mast cells. In StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK499904/

[4] Clough, A. R., Jacups, S. P., Wang, Z., Burns, C. B., Bailie, R. S., Cairney, S. J., . . . Currie, B. J. (2003). Health effects of KAVA use in an eastern Arnhem Land Aboriginal community. Internal Medicine Journal, 33(8), 336-340. doi:10.1046/j.1444-0903.2003.00405.x