Kava for anxiety in the UK: the ban, the liver concern and alternatives

Kava, or kava-kava, is a plant from the Pacific islands whose root is traditionally prepared as a drink and has been marketed in extract form for anxiety and relaxation. It is better known internationally than in the UK, partly because UK law restricts it.

People searching for it often want to know whether it can be bought legally, whether it works for anxiety, and whether it is safe. The most reliable UK information comes from official statements rather than product marketing, and that is what this page uses.

In answer to a written parliamentary question tabled in July 2025, the Department of Health and Social Care confirmed that the Medicines for Human Use (Kava-kava) (Prohibition) Order 2002 prohibits the sale, supply and importation of kava-kava for use in unlicensed medicines in the UK. The order was reviewed after two years by an expert working group of the Committee on Safety of Medicines, which announced in February 2006 that the prohibition was justified and proportionate and should stay in place.

A separate answer given in September 2025 states that the Kava-kava in Food (England) Regulations 2002 prohibit any food consisting of or containing kava-kava from being imported or placed on the market, and that this regulation is in place to protect public health. It adds that any additional evidence provided to the Food Standards Agency (FSA) since the legislation was introduced has not been sufficient to support changes to the controls.

The answer also explains how the position could change: new safety data would be considered by the FSA, and if the independent Committee on Toxicity were satisfied that a safe level of human consumption exists, that could inform advice to ministers to amend or repeal the legislation. The two answers are about regulatory controls in force at the time, and they should be read alongside any later official announcements.

The 2025 answer on food describes the basis as safety concerns, and refers to hepatotoxicity, meaning liver toxicity, as the risk that new evidence would be assessed against. It says that, without additional evidence indicating a safe level of human consumption, the FSA considers there is insufficient toxicological data available to start an assessment.

This is a regulatory judgement rather than a statement that every product causes harm. It does mean that a kava product sold in the UK cannot be assumed to meet any UK safety standard, which is why buying kava online from overseas sellers is a particular concern.

Anyone who has used kava and develops yellowing of the skin or the whites of the eyes, severe tiredness, loss of appetite, feeling sick or pain in the upper right of the tummy should seek medical advice. The NHS lists these among the symptoms of liver damage in alcohol-related liver disease and advises getting medical help rather than waiting for symptoms to get worse, and to call 999 or go to A&E for vomiting blood, black sticky poo or sudden confusion.

The NHS says the main symptom of generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) is stress or worry that affects daily life and is difficult to control, and that other symptoms can include sleep difficulty, restlessness, tiredness, tension, stomach problems and palpitations. A GP may diagnose GAD if you have typical symptoms and have felt anxious a lot of the time for at least 6 months.

The main treatments a GP may offer are talking therapies, usually CBT, medicines to treat anxiety, usually an SSRI antidepressant, and referral to a community mental health team. A GP will usually advise trying talking therapies before prescribing medicine. If you are 18 or over you can also refer yourself directly to an NHS talking therapies service without a GP referral.

The NHS also lists self-help steps such as talking about feelings, using recommended self-help therapies, relaxation and breathing exercises, getting enough sleep and regular exercise.

The NHS says herbal medicines are not tested in the same way as standard medicines and are not available on the NHS. It advises checking for a traditional herbal registration (THR) mark, avoiding unlicensed products bought online, and asking a pharmacist before using a herbal medicine alongside other medicines.