Kava hepatotoxicity with Western herbal products: does it occur with traditional kava use?

[Extract] In 1982, kava was introduced to some Arnhem Land Aboriginal communities from Pacific island countries, in part to reduce the harmful effects of alcohol.⁵ Kava use continued to rise during the 1980s and 1990s, supplied by a lucrative black market. Concerns about adverse health, social and economic effects of widespread heavy consumption resulted in the Northern Territory Kava Management Act in May 1998, which made the possession of more than 2 kg of kava illegal unless in accordance with a licence. However, an illegal trade continued, with profiteering by those distributing kava imported from several Pacific island countries. In October 2000, the Kava Management Act was amended to incorporate harm reduction objectives and a system of licensed kava supply, controlled by local Aboriginal community organisations