OT: Kava and liver damage?

I know that there is some discrepancy as to whether kava kava is associated with liver toxicity or not, and which parts of the plant are suspect. Is anyone up on this?

Only the root of cava is good not the rest of the plant. I buy mine directly from a suplier on some polynesian island. You would have to drink enormous amounts of it everyday for it to be toxic to the liver. I think the rootpowder is pretty safe.

Kava kava doesn't cause liver damage. This rumor was circulated by the press. The poisoning was caused by alcohol.

Maup wrote:Only the root of cava is good not the rest of the plant. I buy mine directly from a suplier on some polynesian island. You would have to drink enormous amounts of it everyday for it to be toxic to the liver. I think the rootpowder is pretty safe.

I took 9 of these yesterday to get the desired effect! http://www.iherb.com/Gaia-Herbs-Kava-Kava-60-Liquid-Filled-Capsules/10144?at=0
Of course there's no way that is cost effective. That is what?...1227mg of kava root powder standardized to 725mg kavalactones in one day.

How does the root powder in bulk compare strength and cost-wise? Are we positive that even really high doses are safe? I'm not worried about 'normal' doses.

I've never taken kava pills so cant comment on that. I buy it a kilo on ebay. Then i take 1 or 2 big tablespoons of the strongest kava available and make a cold thee from it. I think this stuff is harmless, i take very high doses but i dont drink it everyday. It works great if you have trouble sleeping. I never experienced anything negative from it and those island tribes have been using it for thousands of years and they look healthy.

Maup,

Would you mind posting a link to the powder you buy on ebay, or sending me a PM?

How much/often do you take it?

I've read that a tolerance can build up pretty quickly; is that your experience?

Thanks

I buy this one, its the strongest i ever tried but its not cheap. You can find cheaper bulk sellers on ebay that ship from the US.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Tanna-Vanuatu-Kava-Powder-1kilo-35oz-FREE-Shipping-/180523271253?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a08068455

I dont know about tolerance i only drink it 1 or 2 times a week

Thanks!