According to this story posed in Canada's The Globe and Mail: Breaking News, Canadians can no longer buy Kava Kava (Piper mythesticum).

Why?

Health Canada officials say there is strong evidence to suggest that it can cause liver damage in some users. There have been four such cases reported in Canada, said Ms. Ho.

Four cases. I feel the need to bring perspective in to this discussion. First, a quote from Christopher Hobbs on Kava - Elixer of the Pacific.

Moderate use does not appear to be particularly harmful, and it should be remembered that kava has been an important social, ritual, and health drink in several Pacific Island cultures for centuries.

So on one hand, we have an entire population of people using the herb in moderation for many hundreds of years; and on the other, four cases of liver damage.

Of course, living up to the high-standards of what we've come to expect from our media, the journalist didn't bother to mention how much Kava was taken, in what form, pre-existing conditions... none of that.

You gotta love Canada. They've still got Chaprral (Larrea tridentata) banned, even though the the FDA lifted their ban years ago. Similar situation, same number of people, and when the dust settled, it was discovered that the people all had advanced liver disease, specifically contraindicated in Larrea.

I suppose that when this dust settles, Piper will be vindicated as well.

In the meantime, remember that Kava was used on infrequent occasions by the native peoples. Today, small (and I mean small) amounts, like an ounce, should be a sufficient dose. How does it impact your liver? Well, according to a study done by Dr. Jerry Cott, former Chief of the Psychopharmacology Research Program at the National Institute of Mental Health:

"If the incidence of liver toxicity for kava is correct, then according to German researchers it is very similar to that of conventional pharmaceutical anti-anxiety and antidepressant prescription drugs. These are generally considered to be acceptable (though small) risks..."

In fact, Dr. Hyla Cass says in her article Kava: Is It Safe? that

"...you are far likelier to suffer from liver damage by taking the prescription anti-anxiety drug, Valium, as you are kava, yet it is taken by millions daily with little question-and with no major adverse publicity. The over-the counter pain medication, acetominphen (Tylenol), also has a high incidence of liver toxicity, especially when combined with alcohol."

Posted by Evo Terra at August 22, 2002 02:58 PM | TrackBack (0)