If you’re considering trying kava for the first time, you probably asked your friend Google, "is kava safe?"-- we get it; trying something new can be scary, and you should research kava (or any supplement) before deciding it is right for you.

So go ahead and  give yourself a pat on the back for taking the time to understand  kava.

Now, if you have gotten to this point, you may have seen some rumors about kava, and we are here to spill the (kava) tea on the safety of what we believe to be a truly magical root

First things first, if you are unfamiliar, Kava is a plant from the Pacific Islands that has been used for centuries to produce a calming, euphoric effect. Though many people are unfamiliar with kava, more and more people are turning to it as an alternative to alcohol and pharmaceutical drugs. 

Read our "What Is Kava?" post to get the full scoop.

Is Kava Safe?

TL;DR: Yes, kava is safe when carefully sourced and used as advised.

For those of you willing to read along, let’s dive in…
There's been a lot of concern over the years about whether kava is safe for consumption. After researching this topic, many people will find websites and articles discussing how drinking kava might be bad for the liver and one’s health in general. This idea began after a study conducted in the early 2000s in Switzerland and Germany led to bans on kava drinking in these countries and other parts of Europe. 
Thankfully, recent research has shown that many past reports claiming kava drinking leads to liver toxicity were inaccurate. Later research debunked the original findings as participants were found to be using other substances known to affect liver function negatively, as well as using parts of the plant not meant for use in drinks. As a result, kava drinking was allowed again, starting with Germany in 2015, and various other countries have since followed suit.

The World Health Organization holds the following stance on Kava:
“Kava has had at least a 1500-year history of relatively safe use, with liver side effects never having arisen in the ethnopharmacological data. Clinical trials of kava have not revealed hepatotoxicity as a problem. This has been confirmed by further studies evaluating the toxicology of kava drink. Based on available scientific information it can be inferred that kava as a traditional beverage is safe for human consumption.”

The National Library of Medicine finds:
“based upon reported cases, the estimated frequency of clinically apparent liver injury due to kava is less than 1:1,000,000 daily doses.”

To ensure your experience with kava is positive, purchasing only high-quality 
products from trusted sellers is essential. 
At Leilo, we have made it easy to enjoy kava safely. You can rest assured as we use only the highest quality lab-tested kava straight from the South Pacific and every can is consistently dosed for the perfect relaxation experience. 
Thats the way we like things a Leilo– simple and consistent so you can feel as good about drinking leilo as it will make you feel.

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Please recognize that this article is not a comprehensive review on kava safety.  

The information and statements on this site have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Not for use by persons under 18 years of age, or by pregnant or breastfeeding women. Do not combine with alcohol, or drive or operate heavy machinery after consumption. US FDA advises that a potential risk of rare, but severe, liver injury may be associated with kava-containing dietary supplements. Ask a healthcare professional before use if you have or have had liver problems or are taking any medication. Stop use and see a doctor if you develop symptoms that may signal liver problems.