Anyone ever tried Kava or Valerian for tic reduction?

[Mike]

I was reading about Kava as a "natural" alternative to drugs for tics and wonder if anyone has tried it. The following was a test, not for tics, but anxiety issues (which we all know can increase tics).

 

http://www.psychiatrictimes.com/Obsessive-...cleID=175801691

 

 

"Kava Kava (Piper methysticum).

 

A meta-analysis documented greater efficacy of kava versus placebo for anxiety symptoms across several studies (Pittler and Ernst, 2000). One of the most extensive randomized, placebo-controlled studies evaluated the effects of kava in 100 patients diagnosed with agoraphobia, specific phobia, GAD and adjustment disorder with anxiety (Volz and Kieser, 1997). Patients treated with 70 mg kavalactones (the agent responsible for kava's psychotropic properties) three times daily showed significant improvement after eight weeks of treatment, with continued benefit at 24 weeks.

 

The recommended anxiolytic dose of kava is 50 mg to 70 mg purified kavalactones or 100 mg to 250 mg dried kava root extract, three times daily. Adverse effects of kava include morning fatigue and mild gastrointestinal disturbances (Pepping, 1999). Toxic doses (>300 g) may, however, cause progressive ataxia, muscle weakness, ascending paralysis and scaling of skin on the extremities (Singh and Blumenthal, 1997). Reports of hepatotoxicity are currently under investigation by the FDA. Kava can potentiate the effects of CNS depressants, including ethanol, barbiturates and benzodiazepines; therefore, concomitant use should be avoided. Finally, kava should be avoided during pregnancy due to the potential for loss of uterine tone (Brinker, 1998). While kava may be an effective and well-tolerated anxiolytic compound for many patients, there is no evidence to suggest it is more effective than antidepressants or benzodiazepines."

 

"Valerian (Valeriana officinalis).

 

Although used more often for its hypnotic properties, valerian is taken to relieve mild symptoms of anxiety (Hobbs, 1989). While there are no controlled studies describing efficacy for any diagnosed anxiety disorder, one paper (Kohnen and Oswald, 1988) reviewed valerian's effects in 48 subjects placed under an experimental social stress situation. These volunteers were randomized to receive valerian 100 mg, propranolol (Inderal) 20 mg, both agents or placebo administered 90 minutes before the situation. Valerian alone had no effect on physiological activation or concentration, but it did decrease somatic arousal.

 

Adverse effects associated with valerian include sedation and withdrawal symptoms similar to benzodiazepine withdrawal following abrupt discontinuation (Garges et al., 1998). Adverse effects and toxicity have not been adequately studied; however, four cases of hepatotoxicity associated with valerian use have been reported (Plushner, 2000). Additional studies are required to determine if valerian has any significant and sustained anxiolytic properties."

[Chemar]

Mike

 

there are reports that Kava Kava can cause a strain on the liver so I would avoid using it for a child. It also has somewhat of a hallucinatory reputation if I recall correctly

 

similarly I really would be cautious of valerian in a child...........it is a VERY powerful herb (never mind that it smells like dirty old sox )