The World Health Organization has issued a 91 page report detailing the dangers of Kava kava use. In the report, Kava kava is associated with 7 deaths and 14 liver transplants. Eight cases were determined to have a close association between the use of kava and liver dysfunction because the patients recovered on withdrawal of kava and no other plausible cause for the liver problems would be identified. Fifty-three cases were classified as having a possible relationship, but they could not be fully assessed due to insufficient data or other potential causes of liver damage. Five cases had a positive rechallenge, meaning the patient improved on withdrawal of kava, but worsened with reintroduction. Most of the other case reports could not be evaluated due to lack of information.
It’s interesting to note that the kava dangers have been found in the supplement manufactured and sold in health food stores. It has not been found to be a problem when it is consumed by the natives who mix it with water. Our law firm has received a database report from the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, the US FDA branch overseeing food and dietary supplements which containing 84 adverse events associated with Kava from early 2002 through June 2007. Three reports are associated with “Happy Camper,” manufactured by Natural Balance, Inc., a subsidiary of Nutraceutical International Inc. Nevertheless, kava is still available for use in the United States as a dietary supplement for anxiety.