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Kava (also known as Piper methysticum) is a plant which originates from the Pacific region. It is commonly consumed as a drink after being grinded and processed. People normally drink kava for sleep-inducing purposes, as it calms and relaxes them and prepares them for sleep subsequently. The effectiveness of kava to induce sleep is associated with the amount of kava drank.

Currently, it has been documented that excessive consumption of kava results in some dermatological conditions such as developing small bumbs on the skin and allergic reactions etc, all of which are non-fatal.

However, a few years ago, there was concern expressed over the use and safety of commercial java products. This was mainly because a number of people who consumed dietary supplements containing kava had suffered from liver toxicity ranging from liver failure to cirrhosis or hepatitis. Further research was conducted on the kava plant following that, however no definite conclusion could be drawn about the direct link between kava consumption and liver failure.

Hence it is still unclear as to whether kava really cause liver damage, as it could also have been the effect of other heptotoxic substances at work as well. With all that said, the link between Kava's use and liver damage still remains a mystery. Despite that, the FDA has still issued warnings to warn people of the possible potential risks of taking kava.

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