The American Herbal Pharmacopoeia® (AHP) Kava Rhizome & Root Monograph and Therapeutic Compendium

The American Herbal Pharmacopoeia® (AHP) released its long-anticipated Kava Rhizome & Root monograph, marking a watershed moment in the global dialogue on noble kava’s role as a safe, culturally significant, and pro-social beverage. This comprehensive scientific and ethnobotanical review provides regulators, industry leaders, and consumers with a clear framework for understanding both the safety and the benefits of noble kava.

The monograph’s conclusion underscores what Pacific Islanders have known for centuries: when used appropriately and responsibly, noble kava is safe. The document affirms that the most common adverse effect from high-volume, long-term use is ‘kava dermopathy’ (kani kani), a reversible and rare skin condition. Importantly, large-scale reviews demonstrate that concerns about hepatotoxicity, which led to near-global restrictions two decades ago, are exceedingly rare, often idiosyncratic, and associated with the use of organic solvent extracts and non-noble kava use. Both traditionally prepared noble kava and safe, food-grade CO₂ extractions have consistently shown strong safety profiles when consumed as intended.

The entire monograph can be purchased on the AHP website.