Medical Press – Chronic Health Care

Kava treats Anxiety May 4, 2007

The 3 studies below show that kava may be a treatment option for anxiety.

1. A meta-analysis and systematic review was conducted to see the effects of kava on anxiety. Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trials were included. Trials were assessed, under blind fashion, by a person not involved in the study. Superiority of kava extract over placebo was confirmed by 7 trials. Meta-analysis of 3 trials found a significant difference in reduction of total score on the Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety. Study found that kava extract is superior to placebo in the treatment of anxiety and is a treatment option for anxiety. [Pittier & Ernst (2000)]
2. Outpatients suffering from anxiety of nonpsychotic origins were treated for 25 weeks using an extract of kava. The treatment group demonstrated significantly superior outcomes compared to the placebo group, starting 8 weeks after the treatment. None of the tolerance problems or potential addictive qualities associated with the other medications were associated with kava. [Volz & kieser (1997)]

3.  Patients with anxiety symptoms who were treated with kava improved in vigilance, memory, and reaction time. Kava did not alter behavior any more than placebo. Oxazepam slowed reaction, reduced correct answer responses, and did not enhance memory compared to the placebo [Scholing & Clausen (1993)]

Reference:
Freedman, Lynda W, PhD et al. Best Practices in Compelmentary and Alternative Medicine. Maryland: Aspen Publishers, 2001