title: Kava, the anxiolytic herb: back to basics to prevent liver injury?
abstract: The use of the anxiolytic herb kava has caused toxic liver injury in Western countries and economic problems in South Pacific Islands due to tthe regulatory ban on kava. This analysis shows poor quality of kava raw material as a cause for its toxicity and suggests preventative measures by going back to the traditional use of kava for the sake of the patients and the South Pacific economy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine II, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Klinikum Hanau, Teaching Hospital of the Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University Frankfurt/Main, Germany. rolf.teschke@gmx.de
authors.forename: Rolf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Teschke
authors.forename: Jerome
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sarris
authors.forename: Xaver
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Glass
authors.forename: Johannes
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schulze
mesh_terms: D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D020901:Kava / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects*; D010139:Pacific Islands; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D027343:Rhizome / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents