Kava Kava

Kava kava!  The name itself conjures up images of relaxing by the beach, under the starlit skies.  It is a popular drink in the South Pacific Islands.  It is so popular, in fact, that it is considered as Fiji’s national drink.  For more than 3,000 years, the locals have drunk it for social and ceremonial purposes – it is the drink of choice for weddings, holidays, political fetes, festivals, as well as events honoring the dead.   Kava kava is how the local Fiji relax and let their hair down.  However, this is not the only benefit from this drink.  It is also known for its relaxing and tranquilizing qualities, as well as its power to give the drinker a sense of well-being.  Kava kava goes by the name Piper methysticum (in Latin) which means “intoxicating pepper”.  The kava kava drink is actually taken from the root of the plant that goes by the same name.  The plant itself is a perennial shrub that can grow to as high as nine feet. 

Kava kava root contains an active ingredient called kavalectones, which are credited to working on the production of neurotransmitters in the blood. Neurotransmitters are the chemicals responsible for sending messages from one cell to another. The neurotransmitters that are directly affected by kava include GABA, dopamine and norepinephrine. What is amazing about these kavalectones is its effect to the limbic system (that part of the brain which controls our emotions), while still keeping the mind alert. The kavalectones work on the receptor domains in the limbic system, rather than interact with the receptor binding sites.

When one drinks kava kava, one feels happy and contented. Get a drink of kava kava, and despite your rough and tiring day, you will still feel relaxed. And with today’s fast-paced, frenetic and stressful world, we need a little help to ease out the pressure we are facing daily. The great thing about this is that there is no hangover whatsoever and it does not stimulate aggression, although you will feel a slight tingling sensation and numbness on your tongue and throat.

Kava kava is known to have the following beneficial properties:

Treats insomnia Tired of tossing and turning while you struggle to fall asleep? Getting your dose of this “magic brew” before you get to bed will help you get a good night’s sleep, the kind that is restful and rejuvenating. Indeed, kava kava improves the quality of sleep so much that it would take you less time to fall asleep than you were able to in the past.

Treats depression, stress and anxiety Nervousness, dizziness and palpitations have been known to noticeably lessen with kava kava. One study even went to show that kava kava and the anti-depressant diazepam has the same effect on brain wave activity, showing the possibility that that it works the same way in calming the mind. Kava may also improve mental performance and moods, as compared to some anti-depressants that tend to lower mental facilities.

Relieves pain: Because Kava kava is a relaxant, it fights off muscle spasms and the pain associated with it. It is a very potent analgesic, although how it does that is unknown. It works even better than aspirin, although it is less effective than morphine. If you have an aching back, cramps, a sore neck, drinking kava will magically make it disappear. It is also believed to be beneficial against muscle pain caused by fibromyalgia.

Weight control Kava has the tendency to reduce the appetite, as a result people eat less than what they used to.

Diuretic Kava kava flushes out water – that is why body builders love to use this drink, as it helps make the muscles they worked so hard for even more defined and obvious.

Aside from this, kava kava is also known as an effective cure for urinary tract and bladder infections. It also lessens the negative symptoms given by menopause. Others also take in this drink to help recover from stroke, as it restricts the area that is damaged in the brain – stopping it from spreading any further, as well as ensuring that the patient does not convulse.

Kava kava, however, is to be taken with care, as it may cause liver problems. It is best to consult your doctor. Kava kava is best taken for its therapeutic properties and not as a recreational drink.

Kava kava is now available in capsule and tablet form, as a tea or a drink. It can also come in liquid extract form.