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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Neal on April 7, 2001, at 1:54:13
I was recently at a lecture given by one of the premier ethno-botanists in the country. Ethno-botany is the study of the uses of plants by native peoples.
Anyway, one of the plants he discussed was Kava, or Kava-Kava as it is sometimes called. He showed slides, so I got to see how it is made by islanders in the South Pacific. The islanders use it to promote harmony and peace during social occasions, and at other times.
He also showed a graph of a German study comparing the use of Kava and Serax (Oxazepam) for anxiety over a period of weeks. Both reduced anxiety, in fact the lines on the graph were identical. Also Kava so far has a reputation for having few side effects. I can say from purely personal experience that Kava does have calming effects.
Note: Being psychoactive, taking Kava while also taking another antianxiety agent should be approached with extreme caution.
Posted by Cindylou on April 7, 2001, at 20:07:43
In reply to Kava for Anxiety/Social Anxiety, posted by Neal on April 7, 2001, at 1:54:13
Neal,
Have you ever had to be on other anti-anxiety or antidepressant medication?I have begun seeing a nutritionist who has suggested I talk to my doctor about going off my current meds (Wellbutrin, Klonapin, Effexor) and replace them with Kava Kava and St. John's Wort. (I am currently going off Effexor). My doctor said she would consider St. John's Wort, but would want me to stay on the Wellbutrin and Klonapin.
I was just wondering if you are able to compare the effects of Kava Kava to an anti anxiety med like Klonapin. Also, do you have any experience with St. John's Wort?
Thanks in advance for your reply! And thanks for the info.
- Cindy
> I was recently at a lecture given by one of the premier ethno-botanists in the country. Ethno-botany is the study of the uses of plants by native peoples.
>
> Anyway, one of the plants he discussed was Kava, or Kava-Kava as it is sometimes called. He showed slides, so I got to see how it is made by islanders in the South Pacific. The islanders use it to promote harmony and peace during social occasions, and at other times.
>
> He also showed a graph of a German study comparing the use of Kava and Serax (Oxazepam) for anxiety over a period of weeks. Both reduced anxiety, in fact the lines on the graph were identical. Also Kava so far has a reputation for having few side effects. I can say from purely personal experience that Kava does have calming effects.
>
> Note: Being psychoactive, taking Kava while also taking another antianxiety agent should be approached with extreme caution.
Posted by Neal on April 8, 2001, at 3:29:55
In reply to Re: Kava for Anxiety/Social Anxiety, posted by Cindylou on April 7, 2001, at 20:07:43
> I was just wondering if you are able to compare the effects of Kava Kava to an anti anxiety med like Klonapin.Cindylou;
I was just relaying information. I don't claim to be an expert on Kava or benzodiazepines. In my post I noted that a study had found that Kava compared favorably to Serax, a benzodiazepine. Klonopin is also a benzodiazepine. I might draw certain conclusions from that for myself, but I can't prescibe for others. Only a trial could tell, but I have not done that yet. I've used Klonopin, and it works, but I do like the warmer, social "feel" of Kava when I do use that.
Posted by Cindylou on April 8, 2001, at 12:29:30
In reply to Re: Kava for Anxiety/Social Anxiety, posted by Neal on April 8, 2001, at 3:29:55
Thanks, Neal!
>
> > I was just wondering if you are able to compare the effects of Kava Kava to an anti anxiety med like Klonapin.
>
> Cindylou;
> I was just relaying information. I don't claim to be an expert on Kava or benzodiazepines. In my post I noted that a study had found that Kava compared favorably to Serax, a benzodiazepine. Klonopin is also a benzodiazepine. I might draw certain conclusions from that for myself, but I can't prescibe for others. Only a trial could tell, but I have not done that yet. I've used Klonopin, and it works, but I do like the warmer, social "feel" of Kava when I do use that.
Posted by Kathi on April 8, 2001, at 18:46:56
In reply to Re: Kava for Anxiety/Social Anxiety, posted by Cindylou on April 7, 2001, at 20:07:43
> Neal,
> Have you ever had to be on other anti-anxiety or antidepressant medication?
>
> I have begun seeing a nutritionist who has suggested I talk to my doctor about going off my current meds (Wellbutrin, Klonapin, Effexor) and replace them with Kava Kava and St. John's Wort. (I am currently going off Effexor). My doctor said she would consider St. John's Wort, but would want me to stay on the Wellbutrin and Klonapin.
>
> I was just wondering if you are able to compare the effects of Kava Kava to an anti anxiety med like Klonapin. Also, do you have any experience with St. John's Wort?
>
> Thanks in advance for your reply! And thanks for the info.
> - Cindy
>
>
> > I was recently at a lecture given by one of the premier ethno-botanists in the country. Ethno-botany is the study of the uses of plants by native peoples.
> >
> > Anyway, one of the plants he discussed was Kava, or Kava-Kava as it is sometimes called. He showed slides, so I got to see how it is made by islanders in the South Pacific. The islanders use it to promote harmony and peace during social occasions, and at other times.
> >
> > He also showed a graph of a German study comparing the use of Kava and Serax (Oxazepam) for anxiety over a period of weeks. Both reduced anxiety, in fact the lines on the graph were identical. Also Kava so far has a reputation for having few side effects. I can say from purely personal experience that Kava does have calming effects.
> >
> > Note: Being psychoactive, taking Kava while also taking another antianxiety agent should be approached with extreme caution.
>
>Hi Cindy,
>I am currently going off effexor (I won't get into that discussion!) I currently tried st. johns wort and really liked the effects and want to give it a try again along with kava. I have heard many good things about both for anxiety depression etc. and know some people who really like it. I am also on evening primrose 15 days before my period. I believe it has been a help along with change in diet. I wrote in another posting about a book (Unmasking PMS) It looks into the relationships between diet pms, hypoglycemic, deression, anxiety etc. only $5.99 at Boarders Books. Definately worth reading!
Kathi (karen)
Posted by Fred Potter on April 8, 2001, at 21:21:01
In reply to Re: Kava for Anxiety/Social Anxiety, posted by Kathi on April 8, 2001, at 18:46:56
Hi Everyone as I live in the S Pacific (albeit New Zealand) I use natural ground kava and filter it using a genuine Fijiian bag. I probably take it in large quantities. The effect for me is very mild, particularly compared to alcohol which is like a chemical cosh. I beleive it's been hyped up as a hallucinogenic, etc etc, by frightened breweries. It was deemed 'a problem' when introduced to Australia, but introducing alcohol to Fiji was thought of as "OK". All one can say is that the colonial spirit is alive and well.
Posted by Cindylou on April 9, 2001, at 9:22:57
In reply to Re: Kava for Anxiety/Social Anxiety, posted by Kathi on April 8, 2001, at 18:46:56
Thank you Karen!!
I am so glad to hear that St. John's and Kava are worth a try. Also, I made a note of the book you mentioned "Unmasking PMS ..." I am convinced that 90% of my depression/anxiety are PMS related. I will try to pick up a copy soon.I wish you well on your journey off Effexor! You're right -- it's a LONG complicated topic. I'm down to 18mg, and suffering, but hopeful.
Thanks again,
Cindy
> >Hi Cindy,
> >I am currently going off effexor (I won't get into that discussion!) I currently tried st. johns wort and really liked the effects and want to give it a try again along with kava. I have heard many good things about both for anxiety depression etc. and know some people who really like it. I am also on evening primrose 15 days before my period. I believe it has been a help along with change in diet. I wrote in another posting about a book (Unmasking PMS) It looks into the relationships between diet pms, hypoglycemic, deression, anxiety etc. only $5.99 at Boarders Books. Definately worth reading!
> Kathi (karen)
Posted by kate9999 on April 10, 2001, at 5:53:27
In reply to Re: Kava for Anxiety/Social Anxiety, posted by Cindylou on April 7, 2001, at 20:07:43
Cindy what was his/her reasoning for replacing your meds with an herbal med? It seems to me herbal remedies are usually just less tested for efficacy and safety, less regulated, full of impurities, and with less consistent dosing. I'm not saying they don't work, but I have a hard time seeing why they're *preferable* to standard meds. I agree with your doc that going off all your meds simultaneously and replacing them with two herbal medications at once sounds a little drastic.
> I have begun seeing a nutritionist who has suggested I talk to my doctor about going off my current meds (Wellbutrin, Klonapin, Effexor) and replace them with Kava Kava and St. John's Wort. (I am currently going off Effexor). My doctor said she would consider St. John's Wort, but would want me to stay on the Wellbutrin and Klonapin.
Posted by Cindylou on April 10, 2001, at 13:00:36
In reply to Re: Kava for Anxiety/Social Anxiety, posted by kate9999 on April 10, 2001, at 5:53:27
She (the nutritionist) said the St. John's Wort is more gentle and "supportive" than actual meds ... (supportive rather than manipulative, I guess). She works only with the "standardized" companies (only a few, but I don't know their names), and with companies who have chemists in their lab rather than herbologists.
She also mentioned that in Germany, St. John's Wort is a PRESCRIPTION, and the leading prescription for depression in that country, which I found interesting.
I am so sensitive to meds, and have such strong reactions to them, that a less "harsh" form of treatment sounds enticing ... although, like you, I am not really optimistic about it working since I have such a long history of depression.
I appreciate your input. Anybody else out there who has comments, advice, etc. I'd love to hear from you.
> Cindy what was his/her reasoning for replacing your meds with an herbal med? It seems to me herbal remedies are usually just less tested for efficacy and safety, less regulated, full of impurities, and with less consistent dosing. I'm not saying they don't work, but I have a hard time seeing why they're *preferable* to standard meds. I agree with your doc that going off all your meds simultaneously and replacing them with two herbal medications at once sounds a little drastic.
>
> > I have begun seeing a nutritionist who has suggested I talk to my doctor about going off my current meds (Wellbutrin, Klonapin, Effexor) and replace them with Kava Kava and St. John's Wort. (I am currently going off Effexor). My doctor said she would consider St. John's Wort, but would want me to stay on the Wellbutrin and Klonapin.
Posted by Fred Potter on April 10, 2001, at 19:25:48
In reply to Re: Kava for Anxiety/Social Anxiety, posted by Cindylou on April 10, 2001, at 13:00:36
Too early for me to say whether SJW really works, but I do get a side effect, contrary to what they all say. A whooshing sound when I move my eyes, same as I got with Serzone. I don't think others can hear it though.
Posted by Brian F on April 13, 2001, at 14:46:27
In reply to Re: Kava for Anxiety/Social Anxiety, posted by Fred Potter on April 10, 2001, at 19:25:48
> As for Kava Kava I have found a big difference
in quality between the kind offered at stores and
the fresh root from places like Kava Kaui in Hawaii. I recommend if the kind bought from your
store does nothing for you that you check them out
online.
This is the end of the thread.
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