Pharmaceutical companies could soon find themselves making wider use of the medicinal plant Kava in their products.
A group of scientists from Australia's University of Melbourne have called for the creation of a global framework for the safe production and use of the plant.
The researchers recommend further testing for the plant, which is commonly used to treat stress and anxiety.
A provisional framework has already been published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, which scientists are confident could be applied more widely to ensure safe medicinal use.
Melbourne University's Dr Jerome Sarris claimed: "Kava can potentially be used safely if this framework for production and use is adopted.
"It is intended now that these recommendations be taken up by Kava producing Pacific Island countries in order to reinvigorate the Kava industry and provide a pathway back to safe global use of the plant."
Kava was restricted for use in the UK, Europe and Canada in 2002 over concerns that it causes liver problems, although this has since been attributed to companies making use of poor quality materials and incorrect plant varieties.
Typical Guttridge equipment used in the pharmaceutical industry includes; Feeders – metering screw feeders – weighing systems
