Kava and Valerian are herbs used for ceremonial, social, and medicinal purposes. They are grouped together for their shared benefits of reducing anxiety and relieving insomnia. Kava is native to the South Pacific and is used as a ceremonial and social drink, while Valerian is an ancient herb native to Europe and Asia. Studies have shown their effectiveness, but kava supplements that include stems and leaves have been linked to liver damage.
Kava and Valerian are herbs that have long been used for ceremonial, social, and medicinal purposes. Although their origins have little in common (the plants are native to very different regions), they are commonly grouped together for their shared benefits. Kava and valerian are said to reduce anxiety and relieve insomnia. Both herbs are alternative medicine staples and have been adapted into various products and supplements, such as drinks and tablets.
Kava, a member of the pepper family, is native to the South Pacific, where it was and still is used as a ceremonial and social drink. The drink is made solely from the root of the kava plant. People who consume kava drinks often do so instead of drinking alcohol, reporting that the drink is an effective method for social relaxation, without the negative side effects of alcohol. In its adoption as an herbal supplement, kava has been used for the same purposes as the Pacific natives: relaxation, inducing restful sleep, reducing stress, and even as a method of pain relief.
Valerian is an ancient herb native to Europe and Asia. It is used mainly for the same reasons as kava: to aid sleep and relieve stress. It has also been said to help with depression, headaches, and irregular heartbeats. Like kava, the only part of valerian that has traditionally been consumed is the roots. Also like kava, it has been used to make beverages, but it has also been manufactured in other supplemental forms.
For a long time, kava and valerian were traditional and popular supplements that existed entirely outside of western medicine. Eventually, however, scientific research was done on the effects and possible benefits of the herbs. Studies have shown that kava and valerian are likely to be effective in their purported benefits. In studies, valerian has been shown to be more effective than placebos as a sleep aid, and other studies have indicated that kava is better at reducing anxiety than placebos.
When made exclusively from the root, kava and valerian supplements have generally been accepted as safe, with few negative side effects for the consumer. However, kava supplements that include the stems and leaves have been linked to liver damage, including cirrhosis, hepatitis, and liver failure. Kava enthusiasts argue, and evidence indicates that kava supplements made the traditional way, from the roots only, are not harmful to the liver. However, kava has been completely banned in some countries as a result.
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