As natural remedies become more popular, countless people are turning to herbs to support a low-stress lifestyle. Among the most popular candidates are kava, heralding from the South Pacific, and ashwagandha, which has deep roots in traditional South Asian medicine.

It’s always in your interest to consider the safety precautions that arise when combining any substance, whether they’re plant-based or synthetic. So, can you take kava and ashwagandha together safely? It depends. But understanding how each one works—and how to use them safely and effectively—is the first step in reaping their benefits in your pursuit of a stress-free lifestyle. 

What Is Kava and What Does It Do?

Kava kava, or Piper methysticum, is a shrub plant from the South Pacific islands.[1] It’s been used ceremonially by cultures there for centuries to promote social bonds as well as tranquil, calm feelings.[1] Kava for relaxation has become increasingly popular in the supplement world. 

Kava is linked to a variety of mental and physical benefits, the most prominent being:[1]

• A sense of mental and emotional positivity
• Better sleep
• Help with relief of occasional stress and anxiety
• A sense of connection and social bonding

Some also wonder, is kava a hallucinogen? The answer is no. Instead, kava is a psychoactive herb, much like other familiar substances like caffeine. Kava’s relaxing, uplifting properties have to do with its psychoactive compounds, called kavalactones.[1] Kava can be consumed in tea form (as its progenitors liked to take it), but today it’s also available in the form of:

• Pre-made teas
• Tinctures
• Tablets
• Capsules

What Is Ashwagandha and What Does It Do?

Ashwagandha, Latin name Withania somnifera, is a widely used herb in traditional Ayurvedic medicine. Also known as the “Indian ginseng,” it’s an adaptogenic herb, meaning that it helps the body regulate and adjust to stress.[2]

Ashwagandha is also associated with a range of potential health benefits, including:[2]

• Mitigating stress and occasional anxiety
• Enhancing athletic performance and muscle repair [3]
• Boosting male fertility
• Evening out blood glucose levels
• Tempering inflammation
• Supporting cognitive function and memory
• Fostering better sleep quality

The reason for ashwagandha’s potential health benefits lies in two compounds known as withanolides and alkaloids.[4] However, both clinical trials and anecdotal accounts stress that it’s more likely to see the most significant benefits when ashwagandha is taken regularly over a longer period.

Potential Benefits of Using Kava and Ashwagandha

For thousands of years, herbalists and folk medicine workers have been using plant-based blends to enhance human health and quality of life. Seasoned practitioners know how different plants and herbs can work together synergistically to produce enhanced or extra-potent effects.

So, can Ashwagandha and kava work together in this way? A host of factors play a role in the final verdict. While kava can help produce immediate stress-relieving effects, ashwagandha tends to build stress resilience in the body over time. For this reason, in sensible dosages and use patterns, it may be possible to use them in a complementary way.

However, it’s important to recognize that the compounds in both kava and ashwagandha are processed through the liver. Negative health effects of both plants are relatively rare, but one of the potential adverse health consequences is a liver problem called hepatotoxicity, or liver damage.[1]

Hepatotoxicity is more likely if:[1]

• Your kava or ashwagandha has been subjected to low-standard extraction and production methods

• You use kava and/or ashwagandha alongside other drugs (e.g. alcohol), especially if you are a heavy user of those substances

• You consume kava and/or ashwagandha in exceptionally high doses

Learn more about the truth regarding kava and liver damage.

Tips for Using Kava and Ashwagandha Safely

By putting the following guidelines into practice, you can prevent the potential risks of combining these two supplements and protect your well-being and peace of mind:

• Avoid if you have a diagnosed health condition – Moreover, if you have a diagnosed liver condition, it’s crucial to speak to your healthcare provider before using any supplements like kava. 

• Use plant supports responsibly – Importantly, it’s partly the responsibility of individual consumers to ensure they’re using kava and ashwagandha in the appropriate dosages and frequencies.[5]

• Choose trustworthy vendors – Because herbs and supplements don’t need FDA approval to reach the market, many vendors get away with poor manufacturing practices—making it crucial to vet your products thoroughly before you use them.

If you’re interested in combining ashwagandha supplements and kava to build long-term resilience against stress, look for a brand that makes consumer safety a cornerstone of their business. At Botanic Tonics, our products undergo rigorous testing to ensure products are safe, effective, and high-quality before they enter your body.

Finally, just like prescription medicines, it’s always a necessity to consult with your healthcare provider before adding a new plant, herb, or dietary supplement to your regimen. Remember, plant supports can be powerful—but with the green light from a trusted healthcare professional, you can enjoy the best their potency has to offer.

Rest Free and Easy with Botanic Tonics

From portable kava capsules to soothing kava tonics, Botanic Tonics’ feel free line boosts your wellness routine without compromising your trust. Our products are crafted with respect for tradition and the health of our growing community of customers.

Sources: 

1. National Library of Medicine. An Updated Review on the Psychoactive, Toxic and Anticancer Properties of Kava. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9315573/
2. Healthline. Health Benefits of Ashwagandha, Based on Research. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/ashwagandha
3. National Libraries of Medicine. Effect of Ashwagandha Withanolides on Muscle Cell Differentiation. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8533065/
4. National Institutes of Health. Ashwagandha: Is it helpful for stress, anxiety, or sleep? https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Ashwagandha-HealthProfessional/
5. National Libraries of Medicine. A comprehensive review on the hepatotoxicity of herbs used in the Indian (Ayush) systems of alternative medicine. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11029936/

About The Author

Jamal Bouie

Jamal Bouie is an accomplished professional with a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry from Lemoyne-Owen College in Memphis. Currently, he is pursuing his PhD in Biomedicine at Salus University. Jamal has worked in several industries; he began his career in pharmaceutical manufacturing and transitioned to the cannabis industry, where he specialized in analytical testing and manufacturing, playing a vital role in ensuring product safety and compliance. Now, Jamal has turned his attention to the dietary supplement field, combining his scientific acumen with his passion for health and wellness.