 Kava Kava (Concentrate)
(60 capsules), Stock No. 405-9
Retail - $26.25 - Your Cost - $17.50
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Scientific Name: Piper methysticum Other Names: Awa, Kava, Yaqona Medicinal Properties and Actions
analgesic, anticonvulsant, antiseptic, aphrodisiac, diuretic, euphoric, local anesthetic, muscle relaxant, nervine, sedative and soporific. Description
Kava kava is a member of the pepper family and is similar to the black pepper used commonly as a food flavoring. It is a perennial shrub that grows from 3 feet to over 12 feet tall and has a soft-wooded stem. This herb has a rhizome that has a knotty crown and can grow to be 9 feet long. The rhizome has pungent, bitter and warm properties. Habitat
Kava kava grows in humid, tropical climates in the South Pacific from Hawaii to the islands near New Zealand. Traditional Uses
The people of the South Pacific have long been known to be "easy going," and this may be why they have valued kava kava and used this herb in many of their traditions. Kava kava is known for it's ability to soothe the nerves and bring on a relaxed state. Its relaxing effects have been compared to those that come with drinking alcohol, but kava kava doesn't blurr the thinking. The islanders chewed the root and then mixed it with cold water or coconut juice. When it became milky and slightly yellowish it was strained and the juice was served. Kava kava juice was used during social gatheringsand weddings. This drink was said to help communication betweenthe people and their visitors and was used during meetings ofthe elders, peace treaties and marital disputes Kava kava also has a medical tradition. The Tongans used kava kava leaves to make a tea for their children. It eased teething pains and crying spells. Adults chewed the root to relieve a toothache or a sore throat. Modern Uses
Today it seems many of us have put aside the easy life of the islanders only to replace it with stress and nervous tension. Kava kava is coming into popularity just in time to help us relax naturally without the negative side effects of many of the drugs designed for this purpose. The active ingredients in kava kava are calledkavalactones. Kavalactones work to help the body and nerves relax,treating problems such as nervousness, anxiety and tension. DonBrown, a naturopathic researcher gave 58 volunteers who were sufferingfrom anxiety and tension 100mg of kava kava. Those taking kavakava found that after only one week their anxiety was reduced.After four weeks this same group said they had an increased feelingof well-being and a reduction in nervous tension with no sideeffects. Many over-the-counter sedatives or tranquilizerscause the mind to be dull and bring a groggy feeling. In comparison,kava kava relaxes the muscles and nerves without numbing the thinking.Studies show that people taking kava extract did better on a wordrecognition test than those taking synthetic tranquilizers. People taking kava kava have found that thisherb helps them to sleep better. An herbalist, Mark Blumenthal,reports that taking kava kava on nights when he knows he won'tget a lot of sleep helps him to deeply relax and awake with ampleenergy the next day. Because kava kava relaxes the skeletal muscles,it has been shown to help headaches caused by tense neck muscles.It also has an anti-spasmodic action which relieves the coughingof whooping cough and eases the symptoms of asthma, bronchitisand other rheumatic ailments. These relaxant and anti-spasmodicactions help soothe an upset stomach. This island herb has an anti-fungal actionand has been used to treat fungal infections. It also helps sootheinsect bites. Kava kava may aid urinary tract and bladderinfections. In this way it also helps prostate problems and improvessexual function. There are several documented cases of peoplerecovering from sexually transmitted diseases, such as gonorrhea,by taking kava-kava. Dosage and Preparation
Because kava kava is a strong relaxant that helps to induce sleep, it is recommended to take one capsule with dinner or before going to bed. Kava kava should only be used in small doses for a short period. Several people who have taken too much kava kava have found themselves relaxed to the point that they were unable to move. (This symptom wears off quickly without side effects.) Continuous overdose of this herb may cause loss of balance and appetite, chronic "drunk" feeling, diarrhea and skin problems. Do not take kava kava daily for longer than three months. Sources
"Nervine Herbs" by Steven Home in Healing Light (May/June 1997).
The Wild Rose Scientific Herbal by Terry Willard, Ph.D (Alberta, Canada: Wild Rose College of Natural Healing Ltd., 1991).
"Kava Kava: The Pacific Herb" by Mark Blumenthal in Whole Foods (April1996).
The Doctors'Vitamin and Mineral Encyclopedia by Sheldon Saul Hendler, M.D., Ph.D. (New York, New York: Fireside, 1991).
'Kava-Kava a Calming Herb from the South Pacific" in Herbs for Health (Jan/Feb 1997). For Educational Purposes Only
This handout was prepared by Nature's Field P.O. Box 425, Springville, UT 84663 Customer Comments Panic Attacks & Muscle Tension - "I began having anxiety attacks six months ago and lots of muscle tension. Two months ago I began taking Nature's Sunshine's KAVA KAVA Concentrate. It began helping immediately. I take two a day. I was so thrilled to have an answer to the problem. Then I decided to try other brands for a better price, but they didn't have the same effect, so I'm back now for more of the Nature's Sunshine Kava Kava." L.B.
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