Is Kava Safe for Insomnia in Menopause?

A new friend of mine just recently told me about kava (a proprietary product). It's supposed to be a natural relaxation root (herb) from the pacific islands. I am taking it in a powdered form, one teaspoon mixed with six ounces of soy milk. One of my questions is, can I take it every night? I have been asking around and just don't know anyone who knows much about it. The reason I am taking it is to help me sleep at night. I was taking an occasional Ambien, (cut in half). One of the effects of menopause is sometimes having trouble with your sleep. Any enlightenment you have on the subject would be great appreciated. I don't want to find out down the road I have been putting something bad into my body.

Although large doses of kava, taken by people with liver problems, have been accused of causing serious liver disease in a few cases, kava is usually considered safe, and has been used traditionally for hundreds of years. The recommended dose is 2 to 4 grams of the powder, three times daily, so your once daily dose is safe. It is a good remedy for insomnia for many people.
It is always recommended to take a herbal remedy for a short time only (maximum 6 weeks) while looking for other natural methods of solving a health problem. In your case, other methods may be additional physical exercise or daily meditation. Please see our website at www.richters.com for more information on kava and on menopause. Choose "Q&A" from the main menu, then enter "kava" or "menopause" for the search. For other remedies for insomnia, enter "insomnia" for the search.