The Kava
Library
Kava Library Position Paper
Our Simple Rules for Drinking Kava Safely
The Kava Library was originally created to dispense information about Kava.  Now we have put a finer point on it.  We are here to dispense information on how to select a kava that is safe and Noble so that our readers may fully enjoy the medicinal and relaxing effects in the privacy of their homes.   To that end, we are stating our beliefs as follows:
Drink Kava Safely
Drink your Kava like the Islanders did for 1000s of years and drink in moderation.  Only consume Noble Kava sold by reputable sellers. Noble Kava is said to have a chemotype which is safe to drink. Make sure the Kava is derived from roots and the rootstock.   All plants have toxic parts and the aerial part of the Kava are known to contain some toxic chemicals in varying amounts.  We not approve of Tudei Kava.  Tudei Kava  was rarely consumed by the Islanders and is known to cause side effects such as nausea and hangovers the next day.  In the 1990s, there were Liver Toxicity cases in Germany and Kava was unfairly pointed out as the culprit.  We maintain that other factors caused the problems, the consumers did not follow our rules for drinking safely, and the sellers of the Kava were selling unsafe Kava extracts.
Tudie Kava
Personally, I am 100% against the consumption of so called Tudei Kava or any Kava that flunks the Acetone Test. Why in the world would you drink a Kava that has the potential to cause bad side effects when you have 100s of Noble Strains to choose from? I  DO NOT recommend these kinds of Kavas.  In defense of some special cases, we have no problem with people looking at the kava label, seeing that it is Tudei Kava, and deliberately selecting that for a specific purpose. 
Kava and the FDA
Kava is currently regulated by the FDA as a supplement.  There is no reason why Kava shouldn’t have all the common sense warnings that you might see for both over the counter and prescription medicines. I’m going to post our list of warnings below and I invite the FDA to contact us if they have any other suggestions. I think that both the Kava Library and the FDA have a common goal, insure that people drink Kava in a safe manner and in moderation.

Kava Safety Warnings from the Kava Library
Kava should not be taken by pregnant or nursing women.
Children under 18 should not consume Kava.
People with existing liver conditions should abstain from Kava..
People taking prescription monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) should abstain from Kava.
Mixing Kava with alcohol can be dangerous, do not do this.
Do not take Kava if you are taking Benzodiazines or SSRIs.
Do not mix Kava with any other botanicals without consulting an expert or a Physician.
Consult with your physician if you are taking any prescription drugs and wish to drink Kava.
Consult with your Pharmacist when you order prescription drugs and ask about any possible  
interactions with Kava.
If you are having surgery, refrain from drinking Kava 3-4 days prior to surgery to insure that  
there is no interaction with the anesthesia.
If you are going to use Kava to replace your existing Medications, please consult with a Physician before doing so.
Do not drive a vehicle, heavy equipment, or operate power tools if you have consumed Kava.

Some of these warnings may seem draconian since the effects of Kava are relatively mild. To that we would reply, “Better safe than sorry.” I’m sure the ancient Islanders who consumed it safely for 1000s of years would nod their head in approval.
Kava as Medicine.
Though some Kava Bars and Kava vendors would advertise Kava as being a “legal high” we totally disagree with that characterization. I (the author) drink Kava for work related stress and to help cut down on my alcohol consumption.  Many people drink Kava to fight anxiety, drug addiction, recurring pain, social anxiety, sleep enhancement, and many other related medical issues. To us, Kava is a beneficial botanical that has useful Medicinal properties. That being said, if you have serious issues, you should consult a Physician. For example, I asked a fellow Kava enthusiast the following, “I hear that you drink Kava because you have trouble sleeping”. He said, “Yes I do but I highly recommend that someone who is having trouble sleeping should visit a doctor and have a Sleep Study done. They may have Apnea or some other serious problem and Kava won’t cure that.” Very sound advice from a veteran Kava drinker.
Kava Bars
We encourage all Kava Bars to sell Noble and safe Kava for the safety of their customers.  However, The Kava Library is not interested in telling Kava Bars how to run their business.  We are only interested in advising people who want to drink Kava safely in the privacy of their homes.