Information About The Herb Kava Kava

General Information

Botanical Name: Piper methysticum

Plant Family: Piperaceae, which includes the pepper family

Common Names: Ava, Ava Pepper, Awa, Intoxicating Pepper

Origin: The herb grows as a tall bush on many South Pacific tropical islands, including the Hawaiian Islands. 

History: Kava has been used for over 3,000 years. Explorer Captain James Cook gave this plant the botanical name of 'intoxicating pepper'.  

Tradition:

At traditional social gatherings and in cultural and religious ceremonies Pacific Islanders use Kava as a relaxant to achieve a higher level of consciousness. It is still offered to guests and dignitaries visiting the Pacific Islands.

The roots are chewed or ground into a pulp and added to cold water and can be made into a mildly narcotic beverage that is comparable to popular cocktails in our culture.

A tea of Kava is:

• drunk to offer protection against evil
• drunk to invite good luck
• sprinkled around the home and property for the same uses

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Plant Constituents

Contains:

• alkaloid, Kavaine Methy-sticcum yangonin
• Kava pyrones (also called kava lactones) are fat-soluble and derived from kava resin - 15 lactones have been isolated in the Kava Root including:
• kawain
• methysticum
• rhizome components (related to several arylethylene pyrones similar in structure to myristicin, which is found in nutmeg)
• starch
• volatile oil

There are six major lactones known to provide psychoactive activity:

• demethoxy-yangonin
• dihydrokawain
• dihydomethysicin
• kawine
• methysticin
• yongonin

Dosage:

Recommended dosage is as follows:

• g/day dried root
• mL/day 1:2 fluid extract

Note:

• could take up to 4 weeks before any improvement is noticed
• length of treatment varies
• should not be taken for more than 3 months

Recommended dosage is as follows:

• 2 - 4g/day dried root
• 60-600mg daily of standardized formula (should contain 70% kava lactone)
• 20-60mL/week 1:2 fluid extract

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Usage

Medicinal Parts Used: Root and rhizome 

Under no circumstances should Kava be taken without the supervision of a qualified healthcare practitioner, however, Kava under health practitioner supervision may be helpful for the following health problems:

Bacterial Conditions

• acute and chronic gonorrhea
• leucorrhea
• vaginitis

Brain and Nervous System Conditions

• certain nervous disorders
• helps prevent seizures
• insomnia, by improving sleep quality and decreasing the amount of time needed to fall asleep
• nervousness
• pains associated with nerve and skin diseases
• reduces anxiety
• reduces convulsions
• relaxant effects
• relax muscles in animals

Kava is mildly narcotic and produces mild euphoric changes such as:

• elevated mood
• feeling of well-being and contentment
• fluent and lively speech
• increased sense of sound
• mild hallucinations
• relaxed state and sharpening of senses with an aphrodisiac effect

With exception of the opium poppy, Kava is the most relaxing botanical herb and: 

• has a direct effect on muscle tension similar to tranquilizers
• is a non-addictive anti-anxiety medicine
• is as effective as prescription anxiety agents containing benzodiazeprines such as diazepam and valium

Kava pyrones (lactones) are physiologically active and produce physical and mental relaxation and a feeling of well being

While Benzodiazeprines tend to cause lethargy and mental impairment, Kava has been shown to improve:

• concentration
• memory
• reaction time for people suffering from anxiety

Cardiovascular Conditions

• certain heart conditions

Genitourinary Conditions

• antiseptic for ailments of the genitourinary tract
• cystitis
• gout
• nocturnal incontinence 

Inflammatory Conditions

• rheumatism

Muscular Conditions

• relieves muscle spasms

Reproductive System Conditions

• menstrual cramps
• prostate gland inflammation

Respiratory Tract Conditions

• bronchial congestion

Other Conditions

• relieves stress after injury
• relieves tingling sensation to the mucous membranes
• when anxiety and/or stress accompany certain medical illnesses such as cancer, especially prostate cancer

Kava is effective as a pain reliever and can be used instead of:

• acetaminophen
• aspirin
• ibuprofen

External Use:

When applied externally as a liniment, Kava is an effective:

• local anesthetic
• pain reliever 

Action:

• anesthetic [an agent that deadens sensation without loss of vital function] (local)
• anti-inflammatory [an agent to ease inflammation]
• antiseptic [an agent for inhibiting the growth of microorganism on living tissue or destroying pathogenic or putrefactive bacteria]
• anxiolytic [agent to reduce anxiety]
• aphrodisiac effect [an agent for arousing or increasing sexual desire or potency]
• diuretic [an agent that increases the volume and flow of urine which cleanses the urinary system]
• narcotic (mild) [a drug which relieves pain and induces sleep when used in medicinal doses; large doses of narcotics produce convulsions, stupor, insensibility, coma or death]
• muscle relaxant
• sedative [a soothing agent that reduces nervousness, distress or irritation]

The effect on the nerve centers

• is stimulating at first
• is then depressing
• leads to paralysis of the respiratory center

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Precautions

Caution: Under no circumstances should Kava be taken without the supervision of a qualified healthcare practitioner.

Do not use: 

• during pregnancy
• if being treated for depression
• if breastfeeding

Chewing Kava root can cause

• temporary numbness
• tingling sensation on the tongue

After taking Kava some users have developed:

liver-related damage including:

• cirrhosis
• hepatitis
• liver failure
• severe liver damage, symptoms include
• abdominal pain
• fatigue
• jaundice [yellow skin]
• joint pain
• loss of appetite
• nausea
• vomiting

Adverse effects include:

• allergic skin reactions, such as:
• contact dermatitis
• flaky, dry, and yellowish discoloration of the skin
• alopecia (hair loss)
• dizziness
• drowsiness
• loss of appetite
• loss of hearing (partial)
• restlessness
• tremors
• upset stomach

High doses of Kava can lead to:

• a buildup of toxic substances in the liver
• dizziness
• drying of the skin
• muscle weakness
• visual impairment

Long term use of Kava can contribute to:

• blood cell abnormalities
• hypertension
• liver damage 
• reduced protein levels

Alcohol consumption increases the toxicity of Kava's chemical constituents, so is not recommended: 

• for those who intend to drive
• where quick reaction time is needed

Drug Interactions:

Do not use Kava without first talking to your practitioner or healthcare provider if you taking any of the following medications:

Anticonvulsants

Kava may exaggerate the effects of medications used to treat seizures, such as:

• barbiturates used for sleep disorders and seizures in particular:
• pentobarbital

Central Nervous System (CNS) depressants

Kava may enhance the effects of CNS depressants such as:

• benzodiazepines used for sleep disturbances or anxiety, in particular:
• alprazolam

Possible Side effect from the combination of Kava and alprazolam:

• coma

Antipsychotic medications

Kava may increase the risk of unpleasant side effects associated with:

phenothiazine often used for the treatment of schizophrenia, such as:

• chlorpromazine
• promethazine.

Kava may reduce the effectiveness of:

• Levodopa a medication used to treat Parkinson's disease

Drugs to induce and prolong the effect of anesthesia

Those undergoing surgery should also not take Kava as it may interfere with the above medications. Do not take Kava for at least 24 hours prior to surgery.

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Research

Articles

Information given by our website  is provided for informational purposes and is not meant to substitute for the advice provided by a physician or other medical professionals. You should not use the information given for diagnosing a health problem or disease. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem, promptly contact your health care provider. The above information is just a guide to general circumstances and in no way should it contradict the advice that you have been given by your naturopath, medical doctor or specialist.

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