Tea for Rest or Arrest (Herbal DUI)

Kava tea, touted for its relaxation and stress-relieving benefits, may work too well in some cases.

A recent case in California has highlighted the potential dangers of drinking too much or this herbal elixir and then hitting the road.

After drinking countless cups of kava tea, a San Mateo Country man got into his car and was subsequently arrested for weaving onto a highway shoulder.

The DUI case against him, however; was thrown out for lack or evidence about the tea’s effects.

Popular in Hawaii, kava tea is considered more potent than its pill form. According to Keith Kamita, administrator of Hawaii’s Narcotics Enforcement Division, kava can affect drivers in ways similar to liquor.

Kava users, whether they drink tea or pop pills, should be aware of the potential dangers of this increasingly popular supplement.

Source: International Journal of Eating Disorders, 2001; 29, 23-38.

This appeared in ACE FitnessMatters, ACE's official magazine.
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