Juicing For Health - Kava Kava (Piper Methysticum)
Name
Kava (Piper methysticum) (Piper Latin for "pepper", methysticum Greek for "intoxicating") is an ancient crop of the western Pacific. Other names for kava include ʻawa (Hawaiʻi), 'ava (Samoa), yaqona (Fiji), and sakau (Pohnpei).
Parts Used
Roots.
Information
Kava Kava is a beverage made from the root of the plant which has been used by Pacific Islanders for hundreds of years. Traditionally it is prepared by either chewing, grinding or pounding the roots of the kava plant. Kava is best known for its relaxing and anti-anxiety properties. Kava elevates mood, well being and helps bust the daily grind of stress.
Traditionally Kava Kava was used in the treatment of asthma, relieving pain, venereal diseases, inflammations of the uterus, and convulsions, pain and crying in children, anxiety and anxiety disorders, stress related disorders, gastrointestinal tonic, insomnia, urinary tract infections, natural diuretic and muscle spasms. A preparation of the root would be used in ceremonial practice as a celebratory drink for momentous occasions such as weddings and festivals.
Benefits
- Anxiety
- Cancer
- Insomnia
The most researched benefit of kava kava is its anti-anxiety properties. Studies have found that kava is effective in treating anxiety and the symptoms assosiated with it. Another study showed that kava may improve mood and cognitive performance.
Researchers in Scotland discovered that kava may treat ovarian cancer and leukemia. Kava compounds inhibited the activation of a nuclear factor that led to the growth of cancer cells. The kava compounds were shown to target only cancerous cells; no healthy cells were harmed. This may help explain why kava consumption is correlated with decreased incidence of cancer.
Kava is often recommended for insomnia, there is some evidence that kava may help improve sleep quality and decrease the amount of time needed to fall asleep.
Side Effects/Precautions
Kava is generally quite a safe herb to use in moderation and at recommended dosages, side effects generally appear with high doses and daily use. Can cause drowsiness if this occurs lower the dosage or discontinue. Overuse of kava can lead to thickening and peeling of the skin generally when too high a dose is taken daily for extended periods.
Often with you think of kava's side effects you think of hepatitis. A small claim which was blown well out of proportion by the media due to a pharmacetuical companies greed. This company wanted to jump on the kava bandwagon so what they did was purchase the cheap scraps such as the outer bark that werent being used by other kava vendors, prepare it then capsule it. Traditionally there have been no reports of kava causing hepatitis or any liver problems, and there havent been any more since this escapade which was nothing more than to tar another herbs reputation.
Should not be combined with alcohol. Not recommended for persons under the age of 18, pregnant woman, nursing mothers, or individuals who suffer from depression or take certain prescription anti-anxiety drugs.
Buying Information
Good product sources can be purchased from the links below.
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