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Kava kava Root
Piper methysticum |
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A Polynesian tree root known for calming stress
& relaxing muscles; often used for insomnia & anxiety
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| Kava kava ( it is also
called kava) consists of the dried rhizomes and roots of Piper
methysticum, a large pepper shrub of the family Piperaceae, which is
native to western Polynesia and is found as far as Tahiti. The plant
grows to about two to three meters high and is an erect dioecious bush,
having male and female plants of which only the male plants flower in
numerous, spike-like inflorescences, three to nine centimeters long. The
leaves are very large and have a cordate base with 9 to 13 major ribs
which are slightly downy on the under surface. The plant has a massive
one to five pound rhizome with many roots which branches and is very
juicy. The roots are grayish-black on the outside but whitish on the
inside. Kava kava root has a pungent, numbing flavor. It has been
ritually prepared for centuries by native islanders as a safe, mildly
intoxicating beverage by soaking the kava rhizomes in water after
grinding it with a mortor and pestle or by chewing it. The active
ingredients of kava root are six different, closely-related mono- or di-unsaturated
a-pyrones
( also called kava lactones), substituted by a styryl or phenethyl group
including methysticin, dihydromethysticin, kawain, dihydrokawain,
yangonin, and desmethoxy-yangonin. These compounds make up about 5 to
10% of a resin isolated from kava roots which have antispasmodic,
anticonvulsive, analgesic, sedative, hypnotic properties. These
fractions also induce sleep as well as loss of muscular tone.
Pharmacological research has shown that all of the kava pyrones are
potent, centrally acting skeletal muscle relaxants. In addition to
inducing change in motor function and reflex irritability, these
constituents possess antipyretic and local anaesthetic properties. For
this reason kava root was traditional chewed for toothaches.
Electroencephalogram (EEG) studies suggest that kava induces sleep by
acting on the limbic system and it is well-established that it has a
sedative and tranquilizing effect in humans. Because kava also relaxes
the uterus it has been used for treating menstrual cramps. Kava is a
popular sleep aid for treating insomnia, nervousness, and anxiety, as
well as for calming stress and relaxing muscles. Kava promotes a feeling
of well-being and was traditionally drank as part of a ritual to promote
friendliness and socialization in Polynesian cultures. Large doses can
cause intoxication. The effects of kava are potentiated by alcohol.
Excessive use of kava can lead to kava abuse. Severe kava abuse can lead
to a scaly skin disease known as kawaism, a form of dermatitis known as
ichthyosis which causes large, white patches of scaly skin lesions and
red, irritated eyes. Sensible dosage and moderate kava usage will not
cause these symptoms or create any known health hazards. It is not
advisable to take kava in conjunction with pharmaceutical sedatives such
as barbiturates, anti-depressive medications, or pain-killers as it may
potentiate their actions. It is also contraindicated during pregnancy
and in nursing mothers. |
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