What Do You Mean By Kava Kava Diet?

In the Pacific islands, the root of the kava kava plant, commonly referred to as kava, is grated, pounded, mixed with water and consumed as a drink at social functions. It is a medicinal and ceremonial drink that has been sipped for hundreds of years by Fijians and other Pacific islanders. Kava provides a mild narcotic effect, inducing feelings of relaxation and calm such as a glass of wine might do. Kava has no properties that suggest it assists with weight loss or any other diet plan.

How Kava Works

Kava is a member of the pepper family, Piper methysticum, and the active ingredients, kavalactones, are the main psychoactive components of the plant. Kavalactones act primarily on the limbic system in the brain that modulates emotional response, thus producing the calming effect.

Benefits of Kava

Kava, available in the Western world in tinctures, extracts and capsules, has been shown to assist with minimizing anxiety and insomnia and to lessen some menopausal symptoms when taken in small amounts--and with a health professional's prior approval. It seems to brighten the mood and elevate the spirits. Pacific islanders use kava topically to treat fungal infections and internally for upset stomachs and headaches, but it remains primarily a ceremonial drink used as a relaxant and mood elevator.

Side Effects

Excessive kava consumption may cause liver damage, which can result in death, some studies showed. When the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned that liver damage was a possible side effect, many studies halted. Also, some drugs are contraindicated with kava, notably those used to treat Parkinson's disease. Other possible side effects are water loss, because kava is a mild diuretic; loss of appetite; nausea and vomiting, and yellow, scaly skin with long-term use.

Loss of Appetite

The loss of appetite is associated with prolonged use of kava and combines with other side effects, so weight loss from appetite loss would be detrimental to your health. Also note that Pacific islanders consume kava in its natural form and as a diluted tea, before it has been denatured into components.

Herbal Remedies

Whenever you dilute only certain components of plants to a few more powerful components, the possibility of side effects increases. Herbal capsules, for example, are easy to swallow and allow people to consume far more of a concentrated form than nature intended. As with any herbal remedy, use common sense and seek advice of an herbalist or other health professional.