Supplements / Traditional & emerging
Kava
Best for: Stress
Kava is rated traditional use (tier D on our evidence scale). Use only short-term and only noble-cultivar root; not appropriate as a daily supplement. Evening only.
Sources last reviewed
When and how to take Kava
- Dose
- Use only short-term and only noble-cultivar root; not appropriate as a daily supplement.
- Timing
- Evening only.
- Review
- Reassess within 2 weeks.
- Forms
- noble kava root, water-extracted
What Kava is used for
- Real anxiolytic effect with reasonable trial evidence.
- Hepatotoxicity case reports — predominantly traced to non-noble cultivars and aerial parts — keep it off the routine list.
Who should be careful with Kava
- Not appropriate during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
- Avoid if you have a history of liver issues.
- Check for interactions if you take prescription medication.
Safety checks for Kava
- Needs a clinician's OK: Polypharmacy (5+ prescriptions)
- Needs a clinician's OK: Any prescription medication
- Not suggested: Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Not suggested: Liver disease history
What to look for when buying Kava
- Preferred third-party verification: Third-party tested (COA).
- Common contamination risks: Mislabeling / identity, Ingredient swapping.
- Identity: Noble kava cultivars only; aerial parts are linked to hepatotoxicity and should be avoided.
Product recommendations
We don’t recommend specific Kava products. Hepatotoxicity controversy and regulatory variability mean we don't promote kava products.
Your experience
If you’ve tried Kava, you can log how it went. This stays on your device — only you see it.
We frame these as personal experience, not medical claims. Self-reported subjective outcomes are influenced by placebo, regression to the mean, and parallel lifestyle changes. We’ll never present ratings as equivalent to RCT evidence.
Research sources for Kava
- Kava for anxiety: efficacy and hepatotoxicity (reviewed 2026-04-30)
Related supplements
Almavivo is for education only, not medical advice. Check with a doctor or pharmacist before starting a supplement, especially if you take prescription medicine, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a long-term health condition.