Facts on Kava

1. Kava is Ancient

This herb comes from the root of the pepper plant. The use of kava as a tranquilizer can be traced to the indigenous people of the South Pacific where it grows naturally. Kava also played an important role in the culture of the islanders. They used it in friendship rituals in a manner similar to social drinking. Today kava is used around the world as a natural remedy for stress.

2. Reduce Anxiety and Relax

Kava enthusiasts report it produces a feeling of calm and ease without dulling the mind or causing euphoria. Use it to treat mild anxiety, depression, fatigue, migraine headaches, menstrual cramps, menopausal symptoms and muscle tension. If you have trouble drifting off to sleep, try kava a few hours prior to bedtime, but only occasionally. Its safety for chronic use has not been established.

3. Find Supplements, Tea or Java

You don't have to travel to the South Pacific to buy kava. Purchase it anywhere that dietary supplements are sold, including groceries and drugstores. It comes in powder and capsule forms under the names kava and kava kava. For a little variety, try kava tea and kava java, sold in health food stores.

4. Practice Cycling

No wheels necessary. Cycling refers to kava-free periods. The recommended dose of kava is 100 mg. Frequency of kava use can range from twice a week to three times a day. Keep in mind, the long-term effects of kava use are not fully known. Therefore, stop all kava consumption for at least 1 week per month. Three weeks on followed by 1 week off should be sufficient to eliminate kava from the body.

5. Too Much Makes You Feel Drunk

Kava will make you feel slightly dizzy and drowsy. Avoid activities requiring mental alertness like driving a car. Don't compound the problem by consuming other substances that sedate you. An overdose of kava mimics the symptoms of alcohol intoxication including clumsy movements and impaired judgment. Chronic use of high doses of kava produces a skin rash on the shins, back, soles and palms. Kava has been linked to liver failure, so don't take kava with other products that are harmful to the liver such as alcohol and certain dietary supplements and medications. Kava also interacts with medicines that thin the blood and drugs used for Parkinson's disease. Talk to your physician and pharmacist about your use of kava with other products. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding do not use kava.