Kava Kava-Herbal Miracle?

[justaround]

I found an old bottle of Kava Kava in my cabinet containing 300mg, 30% pure extract (so 90mg kava). I did some research cuz I knew that it helped with tension. I found out how to make the "real deal" with it, which is a 1000 year old drink formula. There are many different drinks you can make out of it but you first have to filter it out correctly. Mine came in a capsule, so lucky me it was already in a powder form and you can just pour it into water and strain it. Supposivley the standard dose ranges from 70-250mg kava for single dose. The information I read up told me that it acts as an anti-anxiety agent like Valium and mildly narcotic but non-addictive. (???) It also helps insomnia, nerve tension, PMS, pain, headache, and alcohol/drug withdrawl. I made a drink of 250mg kava and felt relieved. Not high, almost intoxicated, but not drunk, happy, ya know what I mean? It's not a buzz but takes the weight off, it gives you a sense of well-being. I hear that there are those that abuse this herb to get a benzodiazepine high by taking 5 to 10 times the standard dose. I'm actually kinda confussed about this harb because I hear it can cause liver damage but some sites say no side effects. Also if it is a mild-narcotic but non-addictive...which of the two is it? I don't want to have a narcotic show up on my drug screening for consuming kava. Any stories or information on this "miracle herb"?? Any info appreciated

[phoenix]

It's always best to use caution with these things.Much of the info out there is contradictory and has not been validated by research.

My personal feeling is that you may want to look closely at your motives for taking it.For myself,I don't want to look to "miracle herbs" for a sense of well being.There are ways to get that without resorting to using pills and powders.

Of course,there may be safe and effective herbal remedies...but check with your doctor if you are on medication.And as with so many things,what is safe for non addicts may not be for me.

phoenix

[justaround]

Thank you Phoenix. I've heard many things about herbs being deemed unsafe after being toted as a breakthrough miracle. As far as motives go, I'm not using this neccisarily to get a sense of well-being. I forgot to mention in my last post that I am was looking for some kind of herbal remedy route to replace the sleeping med (Sonata) that is potentially habit forming. Also for something I can take on an as needed basis once I am fully tapered from the addictive benzodiazepine Klonopin. I figure that if I can replace two habit forming medications with an herb it would be healthier for my body and mind. One thing that really struck me hearing about this was that it helped ease nerve tension and relaxed muscles with might help with the twitches, shakes, and muscle spasms the Ritalin brings about.

I understand though what you mean by checking in on my doc about using first so I will hold off until I get the opportunity to do so. It could be possible that this might even interact with some of the prescriptions I am taking.

Thanks!