Herb
Kava
SaveA Pacific root beverage used for anxiety, stress, and social relaxation through kavalactone-rich extracts.
Quick verdict
One of the most effective herbal anxiolytics, but liver-safety and sedation concerns mean it should be used thoughtfully.
Evidence score
A rough internal score reflecting quantity, quality, and consistency of human evidence. Not a clinical recommendation.
What the research shows
Clinical trials and reviews support kava for anxiety reduction, particularly standardized noble-kava extracts. Mechanisms appear to include GABAergic, sodium-channel, and endocannabinoid modulation.
Benefits
- Strong anxiety-reduction potential for an herb
- Can ease tension without classic alcohol intoxication
- Often useful for situational stress or social unease
Dosage notes
Most studies use 60-250 mg/day of kavalactones from standardized extract or traditional beverage equivalents.
Side effects
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Rare liver-related adverse events
Who should be cautious
Sedation is real, alcohol should not be combined with it, and rare hepatotoxicity concerns remain important. Avoid driving after use.
What this page cannot tell you
Product quality matters enormously because solvent extraction, cultivar choice, and plant-part sourcing all change the safety profile.
Leaderboard scores
- Anxiety65
- Stress60
- Sleep35
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