37 peer-reviewed studies · Evidence score: 9/10
Smith K et al. • Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology (2023)
Kava extract demonstrated significant anxiolytic efficacy compared to placebo across pooled analyses.
Leach MJ et al. • Sleep medicine reviews (2015)
There was no statistically significant difference between any herbal medicine and placebo, or any herbal medicine and active control, for any of the thirteen measures of clinical efficacy.
Constantin D et al. • American journal of therapeutics (2020)
Psychotherapy seems indicated for mildly symptomatic adjustment disorder.
Economidis G et al. • Drug and alcohol review (2025)
Kava holds social and cultural significance and is an essential trading commodity for Pacific Islander countries.
Cassidy RM et al. • Journal of addiction medicine (2024)
To our knowledge, this is the first publication to describe kava withdrawal syndrome and its effective treatment with phenobarbital.
Zhao FY et al. • Frontiers in public health (2023)
Existing guidelines are generally limited in providing clear, evidence-informed recommendations for the use of CAM therapies for insomnia management due to a lack of high-quality evidence and multidisciplinary consultation in CPG development.
Sarris J et al. • The world journal of biological psychiatry : the official journal of the World Federation of Societies of Biological Psychiatry (2022)
Based on the current data and clinician input, a range of nutraceuticals and phytoceuticals were given either a supportive recommendation or a provisional recommendation across a range of various psychiatric disorders.
Zhang W et al. • Pharmacological research (2022)
Medicinal herbs may be promising for the treatment of anxiety.
Celentano A et al. • Journal of oral pathology & medicine : official publication of the International Association of Oral Pathologists and the American Academy of Oral Pathology (2019)
There was heterogeneity of study models and methods of investigation across the studies identified.
Sarris J • Phytotherapy research : PTR (2018)
Aside from this, future focus should involve the incorporation of more biomarker analysis, in particular pharmacogenomics, to determine genetic factors moderating response to herbal medicines.
Chessick CA et al. • The Cochrane database of systematic reviews (2006)
Azapirones appeared to be useful in the treatment of GAD, particularly for those participants who had not been on a benzodiazepine.
Savage K et al. • Phytotherapy research : PTR (2018)
Collectively, the literature reveals preclinical and clinical evidence for various phytomedicines modulating GABA-pathways, with comparative anxiolytic effect to the current array of pharmaceuticals, along with good safety and tolerability profiles.
Ooi SL et al. • Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.) (2018)
Current evidence, although promising, is insufficient to confirm the effect of Kava for GAD treatment beyond placebo.
Wainiqolo I et al. • Australian and New Zealand journal of public health (2015)
With equivocal evidence limited to experimental studies using simulated driving settings, the contribution of kava to MVCs is unknown.
LaPorte E et al. • Human psychopharmacology (2011)
The majority of evidence suggests that kava has no replicated significant negative effects on cognition.
Lakhan SE et al. • Nutrition journal (2010)
Based on the available evidence, it appears that nutritional and herbal supplementation is an effective method for treating anxiety and anxiety-related conditions without the risk of serious side effects.
Pittler MH, Ernst E • Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (2003)
Kava extract appears to be an effective symptomatic treatment for anxiety.
Smith K et al. • Complementary therapies in clinical practice (2018)
Kava Kava appears to be a short-term treatment for anxiety, but not a replacement for prolonged anti-anxiety use.
Sarris J et al. • Complementary therapies in medicine (2011)
The research suggests only some CAMs may be beneficial in ADHD, thus clinicians need to be aware of the current evidence.
Izzo AA et al. • Drugs (2009)
While the significance of many interactions is uncertain, several interactions, particularly those with St John's wort, may have serious clinical consequences.