2 replies to this topic

[jimbob]

Hi. I was wondering if anyone has tried Kava root to counteract side effects from CML treatment. My biggest problems are severe fatigue, anxiety, depression, and insomnia. My oncologist said I'm not supposed to take it with Tasigna, due to the alleged liver toxicity problems, but from everything I've read, the pure Kava root does not cause this issue at all.

Any comments?

[Trey]

The problem with Kava and the liver has apparently been that some forms of the supplement have included Kava plant leaves and stems (which are toxic), not just the root (which is what you want).  Kava is apparently illegal in Canada.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kava

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www2.ctahr.hawaii.edu/ctahr2001/CTAHRInAction/May_03/images/kawa_root.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www2.ctahr.hawaii.edu/ctahr2001/CTAHRInAction/May_03/kava.asp&h=335&w=370&sz=34&tbnid=feC4nQD-erK-MM:&tbnh=110&tbnw=122&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dkava%2Broot%2Bphoto&hl=en&usg=__hyYuMKBRekp3zwkBmrFoEEUiuYA=&ei=QtP6Sra3MsSknQeD4KWBDQ&sa=X&oi=image_result&resnum=2&ct=image&ved=0CBEQ9QEwAQ

http://www.streetdirectory.com/food_editorials/cooking/herbs_and_spices/the_kava_kava_root_side_effects_and_benefits.html

[jimbob]

Thanks Trey. Just to clarify the Canadian situation, the Canadian government only issued a 'stop sales' order of Kava root a few years ago, so it's difficult if not impossible to buy it from a Canadian outlet, at least from a retailer that wishes to comply with the order (and virtually all of the more reputable retailers would). However, an individual can still import Kava root from a supplier outside Canada if it's for personal use only.