Kava’s Journey to Licensing: From Popular to Restricted to NPN 

Imagine a natural product that is clinically (and historically) proven to significantly reduce stress, anxiety and depression - without adverse effects or addictive properties. Then imagine that it becomes increasingly popular in a market dominated by synthetic solutions for the same issues. Then imagine the natural product is banned and removed from market places around the world, with regulatory bodies citing a handful of questionable reports claiming harm from long term use. Any questions? Anyone? 

Kava is a South Pacific plant that has been safely used for centuries by the local populations in the form of beverages. The earliest European knowledge of Kava dates back to the late 1700’s with the journeys of Captain Cook. Since then, several studies have been undertaken to explore the benefits of the plant.12 

In 2001, the FDA investigated alleged Kava-related liver toxicity. As a result of this investigation, Health Canada and others banned preparations containing Kava.3 For over ten years, Kava was removed from markets around the world. 

Eldon Dahl, DNM, (Doctor’s Choice founder) spent three and a half years presenting arguments and evidence to Health Canada and proved that properly prepared Kava (derived from five-year noble root only) posed no health risks to consumers. Ultimately, Health Canada lifted the ban in 2012 and awarded Dahl the first ever Natural Product Number (NPN) license to manufacture and sell Kava based products. It was a huge win for natural health advocates everywhere, and soon other countries lifted their bans as well. 

While Doctor’s Choice Kava Kava is prepared from the finest five-year noble root, poor quality imitations have flooded the market, elevating profit over safety. USP grade quality is not just preferred, however, it is crucial in order to protect both consumers and continued access to this wonderful gift from nature. 

Rest assured, you will find no greater advocate for high quality Kava than Doctor’s Choice.