Kava: A Natural Way to Support Calm, Clarity, & Restful Sleep

Kava is a tropical shrub native to the South Pacific islands where its roots have been cherished for centuries. Traditionally prepared into a ceremonial drink, kava has long been used to foster emotional connection, a sense of calm, and mental clarity during gatherings and rituals. Today, kava root is also available in convenient supplement form, allowing people around the world to access its calming and mood-supportive properties (1).

Unlike sedatives, kava doesn’t dull your senses. It promotes a relaxed yet clear-headed state, helping ease anxious thoughts and muscle tension without impairing cognition or alertness (2).

Kava’s active compounds, called kavalactones, act on the brain’s GABA receptors (3), the same system that helps regulate fear, worry, and excitability. When GABA is supported, the brain can shift out of “fight or flight” and into a more balanced and centered state.

Kava also supports the limbic system (4,5), which governs emotion, sensory processing, and mood regulation. This makes it especially helpful during the following times:

• Emotional overwhelm
• Racing thoughts
• Trouble sleeping
• Increased sensory sensitivity
• Periods of transition or stress

To read more about using herbalism to support a healthy stress response, read these articles:

• Herbalism For Adults: My Top 6 Supportive Formulas For Busy Parents
• The 3 Phases of Adrenal Dysfunction

At Dr. Green Life Organics, we have a liquid  and a capsule Kava formulation, both made using selectively imported Vanuatu kava root without alcohol, harsh solvents, or unnecessary additives.

What sets Keepin’ The Peace Kava™ apart:

• Physician-formulated & third-party tested 
• Alcohol-free, gluten-free, soy-free, vegan, and kosher
• Non-sedating and non-habit forming
• Good for daytime or nighttime use
• Safe for the liver when used as directed

Many kava users describe feeling calm but alert. Others say it helps them fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer, especially during high-stress seasons or emotional transitions.

Curious about how kava works or what to expect? Here are answers to some of the most common questions we get about this calming, time-honored root:

1. Why Does Kava Make My Tongue Feel Numb?

If you notice a mild numbing or tingling sensation on your tongue after taking liquid kava, don’t worry, it’s completely normal. This effect is caused by naturally occurring kavalactones and usually fades within a few minutes (6,7). Many people actually find it reassuring, a sign that the kava is active and working!

2. Is Kava Safe for the Liver?

Kava has been safely used for centuries in South Pacific cultures, where the peeled root of the Piper methysticum plant is traditionally prepared. In more recent decades, since kava has started to become more commercially available, there have been some very rare reports of liver injury associated with commercial kava products.

It is important to note that the overall risk is very low (8). That said, the exact cause of these adverse events remains unclear. Some researchers have suggested that the inclusion of non-traditional plant parts (like stems and leaves), which contain piperidine alkaloids not found in the root, may play a role. These alkaloids were not detected in traditional root powders from Fiji, Tonga, or Hawaii, and Pacific peoples have long avoided using stems and leaves internally. Most documented cases of liver issues involved unknown or non-standardized preparations and often included other risk factors like alcohol use or medications (9).

When kava is made only from high-quality root material and used as directed, it is generally regarded as safe for most healthy individuals. As always, speak with your healthcare provider before using kava, especially if you have a liver condition or take medications that may affect liver function.

3. Is Kava Suitable for Daily Use?

Yes, when taken as directed, kava can safely be used daily by most healthy individuals. In traditional settings, kava is often consumed regularly to support emotional connection and calm. Modern research supports its short-term daily use for stress relief, emotional balance, and restful sleep (10,11).

4. Can Kava Be Used In Children, During Pregnancy, or While Breastfeeding?

Kava is traditionally used in adults, and there is currently not enough research to support its use in children, during pregnancy, or while breastfeeding. Out of an abundance of caution, most healthcare providers recommend avoiding kava during these stages.

For stress support during pregnancy and lactation, try Mother's Peace & Calm✝︎™ and for kids check out Peace & Calm™✝︎ Kids.  

1. Smith K, Leiras C. The effectiveness and safety of Kava Kava for treating anxiety symptoms: A systematic review and analysis of randomized clinical trials. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2018 Nov;33:107-117. doi: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2018.09.003. Epub 2018 Sep 15. PMID: 30396607.

2. Thompson R, Ruch W, Hasenöhrl RU. Enhanced cognitive performance and cheerful mood by standardized extracts of Piper methysticum (Kava-kava). Hum Psychopharmacol. 2004 Jun;19(4):243-50. doi: 10.1002/hup.581. PMID: 15181652.

3. Singh YN, Singh NN. Therapeutic potential of kava in the treatment of anxiety disorders. CNS Drugs. 2002;16(11):731-43. doi: 10.2165/00023210-200216110-00002. PMID: 12383029.

4. Beyer, J. (2013). Herbal Psychoactive Substances. Elsevier EBooks, 275–279. https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-12-382165-2.00317-2

5. Bian T, Corral P, Wang Y, Botello J, Kingston R, Daniels T, Salloum RG, Johnston E, Huo Z, Lu J, Liu AC, Xing C. Kava as a Clinical Nutrient: Promises and Challenges. Nutrients. 2020 Oct 5;12(10):3044. doi: 10.3390/nu12103044. PMID: 33027883; PMCID: PMC7600512.

6. IARC Working Group on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans. Some Drugs and Herbal Products. Lyon (FR): International Agency for Research on Cancer; 2016. (IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans, No. 108.) 1, Exposure Data. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK350450/

7. World Health Organization. (2007). Assessment of the risk of hepatotoxicity with kava products. https://iris.who.int/bitstream/handle/10665/43630/9789241595261_eng.pdf

8. LiverTox: Clinical and Research Information on Drug-Induced Liver Injury [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases; 2012-. Kava Kava. [Updated 2018 Apr 10]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK548637/

9. Food Standards Australia New Zealand. (2004). KAVA A Human Health Risk Assessment. https://www.foodstandards.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/Documents/30_Kava1.pdf

10. Shinomiya K, Inoue T, Utsu Y, Tokunaga S, Masuoka T, Ohmori A, Kamei C. Effects of kava-kava extract on the sleep-wake cycle in sleep-disturbed rats. Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2005 Jul;180(3):564-9. doi: 10.1007/s00213-005-2196-4. Epub 2005 Feb 8. PMID: 15700178.

11. Smith SY, Aylwin CF, Daniels TF, Greer JL, Kunces LJ, Lili L, Phipps SM, Schmidt CM, Schmidt JC, Schmidt MA. Kavalactones support motivation to move during intensive training in males preparing for military special operations forces. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2024 Dec;21(1):2377194. doi: 10.1080/15502783.2024.2377194. Epub 2024 Jul 15. PMID: 39010683; PMCID: PMC11254123.