American Herbal Pharmacopoeia® (AHP) has released its long-anticipated kava rhizome and root monograph, marking a watershed moment in the global dialogue on noble kava’s role as a safe, culturally significant, and pro-social beverage. This comprehensive scientific and ethnobotanical review provides regulators, industry leaders, and consumers with a clear framework for understanding both the safety and the benefits of noble kava.
The monograph’s conclusion underscores what Pacific Islanders have known for centuries: when used appropriately and responsibly, noble kava is safe. The document affirms that the most common adverse effect from high-volume, long-term use is kava dermopathy (kani kani), a reversible and rare skin condition. Importantly, large-scale reviews demonstrate that concerns about hepatotoxicity, which led to near-global restrictions two decades ago, are exceedingly rare, often idiosyncratic, and associated with the use of organic solvent extracts and non-noble kava use. Both traditionally prepared noble kava and safe, food-grade CO₂ extractions have consistently shown strong safety profiles when consumed as intended.
The AHP review consolidates decades of clinical trial data and traditional knowledge, showing that noble kava compares favorably to many commonly used foods and dietary supplements when consumed responsibly. Research consistently finds that adverse effects are rare, mild, and often indistinguishable from placebo, reinforcing noble kava’s status as a safe, pro-social beverage when consumed responsibly.
“This monograph is a turning point,” said Douglas La Rose, Executive Director of the Kava Coalition. “It brings together decades of clinical evidence, traditional knowledge, and modern science to affirm the safety and cultural importance of noble kava. For policymakers, it offers a roadmap to craft regulations that ensure global access to noble kava products, safeguard legal access for Pacific Island diaspora communities, and validate noble kava as a safe food that consumers worldwide should be able to enjoy.”
The release of the AHP kava rhizome and root monograph is expected to serve as a cornerstone reference for governments, public health authorities, and industry stakeholders worldwide as they seek balanced, evidence-based approaches to regulating and promoting noble kava.
About Kava Coalition
The Kava Coalition is an alliance of noble kava consumers, experts, and industry leaders committed to advancing kava education, advocacy, and choice. By promoting responsible consumption, market transparency, and cultural respect, the Coalition works to ensure that noble kava is widely recognized, accessible, and valued as a safe, pro-social beverage. For more information, visit www.kavacoalition.org.
Media Contact
Patrick George
info@globalkratomcoalition.org
+1 916-202-1982
