A new study has shown that kava can reduce symptoms of anxiety. The plant has been used for centuries in the South Pacific to help people sleep better.
The study was led by researchers from University of Melbourne. According to the study team, kava extract can be an effective remedy for people who suffer from Generalized Anxiety Disorders (GAD).
The plant has been used to treat insomnia, urinary tract infections, reducing anxiety in menopausal women and as a numbing agent. However, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has warned against the use of the plant, as its use has been linked with severe liver damage.
The present study included 75 patients who were diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder. The study ran for about eight weeks, during which patients were either given kava pills or a placebo. Researchers monitored patients' anxiety levels during the study.
Researchers found that the group that got kava had reduced anxiety levels when compared with the placebo group.
"Based on previous work we have recognised that plant based medicines may be a viable treatment for patients with chronic anxiety. In this study we've been able to show that Kava offers a potential natural alternative for the treatment of chronic clinical anxiety. Unlike some other options it has less risk of dependency and less potential for side effects," said Jerome Sarris from Department of Psychiatry at the University of Melbourne in a news release.
The study also found that people with moderate to severe GAD derived greatest benefits of the treatment. About 26 percent of the kava group recovered from GAD, while just 6 percent of the placebo group recovered from the condition.
In this study, kava was found to have no adverse effects on people. Also, there was no negative impact of the extract on liver, which has been a primary concern for this treatment.