The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) Kava Committee commissioned the Herb Research Foundation to conduct an extensive safety and peer review of Kava. One of the purposes of the Kava Safety & Peer Review was to determine what, if any, dosage limitations and cautionary labeling language was needed. The AHPA Board of Trustees approved the following on September 17, 1997, at the Baltimore meeting.

1) Products containing kava should be formulated and labeled to limit consumption of total kavalactones to 300mg per day'

2) Labels of all products containing kava bear the following statement:

Caution: Not for use by persons under the age of 18. If pregnant, nursing, or taking a prescription drug, consult health care practitioner prior to use. Do not exceed recommended dose. Excessive consumption may impair ability to drive or operate heavy equipment.

The Kava Safety & Peer Review is available from the AHPA office for $59.95 plus $3.50 for shipping and handling. Also available from the ABC Catalog #422. $59.95 For an article on this review, see HerbalGram No. 40, p. 14.

Article copyright American Botanical Council.