Find Relaxation and Tranquility with Kava

Kava, also known as kava kava or Piper methysticum, is a plant native to the Western Pacific that can induce feelings of relaxation and tranquility. The roots and stems of the kava plant are used to make a calming tea or herbal supplement that has been consumed ceremonially and medicinally in Pacific Island cultures for centuries.

As an anxiety-reducing and muscle relaxing herb, kava shows promise for helping people naturally reduce stress and unwind. However, kava use does come with some side effects and safety concerns, especially related to the liver, so it’s important to educate yourself before trying it.

What Is Kava?

Overview of what kava is, where it comes from, and traditional ceremonial uses of kava in Pacific Island culture.

Kava Plant Species and Origins

• Piper methysticum: The Latin name for the kava plant. Translates to “intoxicating pepper”.
• South Pacific: Kava is native to islands in the South Pacific like Vanuatu, Fiji, Hawaii, Papua New Guinea.
• Polynesia: Kava use originated in Polynesia and played a major ceremonial role in cultures there.

Traditional and Ceremonial Uses

• Social gatherings: Pacific Islanders traditionally drank kava beverages during social gatherings, ceremonies, and tribal meetings to induce relaxation.
• Conflict resolution: Kava ceremonies were used to resolve conflicts between tribes and villages in parts of Polynesia and Melanesia. Drinking kava together promoted calm discussion.
• Rituals and celebrations: Important life events like marriages, funerals, births, and rites of passage involved communal kava drinking.

Kava’s ability to act as a social lubricant during ceremonies made it an integral part of Pacific Island culture.

Modern Uses of Kava

Today, kava root preparations like kava teas, pills, extracts, and powders are used for purposes like:

• Promoting relaxation and sleep
• Alleviating occasional anxiety
• Easing restlessness and muscle tension
• Supporting stress relief
• Boosting mood

The kavalactones contained in kava root provide its relaxing and anti-anxiety effects. Let’s explore the evidence behind kava’s uses...

Kava Effects and Benefits

Encourages Relaxation and Eases Anxiety

Multiple studies have found that kava significantly reduces anxiety symptoms:

• A 2003 review of 7 trials found kava was significantly more effective than a placebo at treating anxiety with minimal side effects.
• A 2015 study saw kava relieve anxiety as effectively as the prescription drug oxazepam with better social functioning.
• Doses between 60-120mg kavalactones were effective for anxiety relief.

By interacting with brain receptors like GABA, kava can induce deep relaxation, euphoria and stress relief without impairing mental clarity.

Promotes Restful Sleep

Kava’s anti-anxiety effects can pave the way for better sleep quality:

• One placebo-controlled study saw kava increase sleep time by over 20% while improving sleep quality.
• Participants fell asleep faster, slept longer, and woke up fewer times after taking kava extract capsules.

Kava may work similarly to prescription sleep aids by activating relaxing brain wave patterns before sleep.

May Ease Menopause Symptoms

For women going through menopause, kava shows promise for easing uncomfortable symptoms like hot flashes, irritability, and mood swings:

• In a 2002 study, kava extract reduced the frequency of hot flashes just as effectively as hormone replacement therapy in menopausal women.
• Another study saw a significant drop in irritability and other emotional menopause symptoms among women taking kava.

Kava’s anti-anxiety properties may help counteract mood changes during menopause.

Potential Cancer Benefits

Test tube and animal studies suggest kava extracts can slow the growth of certain cancers like:

• Bladder cancer
• Breast cancer
• Cervical cancer
• Stomach cancer
• Prostate cancer

One study saw drinking kava tea extract decreased prostate tumor growth in mice by 56%. The kavalactones in kava exhibit anti-inflammatory effects that may inhibit cancer progression.

However, human studies are still needed to confirm kava’s anti-cancer benefits.

How to Take Kava

There are a few ways to take kava for relaxation:

Kava Tea or Drink

• The traditional method of preparing kava root tea involves chewing roots then straining the pulp through cloth.
• You can achieve similar effects by steeping kava powder or extract in hot water to make tea. Add some coconut milk and sweetener for flavor!
• Kava bars are establishments that serve kava drinks similar to herbal teas for patrons to sip and relax.

Kava Capsules or Tablets

If you don’t like the earthy, bitter taste of kava tea, taking kava pills is convenient:

Form	Kavalactone Dosage	Frequency
Capsules	60-120mg	1-3 times per day
Tablets	50-100mg	2-4 times per day

Look for capsules using concentrated kava root extract for better potency.

Kava Tinctures and Extracts

As liquid extracts in dropper bottles, kava tinctures offer versatility to add kava to beverages or take it straight. Popular types of kava extracts include:

• Kava paste: A thick concentrate containing 30% kavalactones on average.
• Kava resin: A blackish resinoid extract with even higher kavalactone content up to 70%. Very potent!

Dose kava tinctures carefully using the dropper since extracts are highly concentrated.

Kava Powder

On its own, kava root powder must be strained out of the drink using a traditional kava preparation. But it can also be:

• Added to protein shakes, smoothies, energy balls, etc.
• Baked into cookies, cakes, or brownies!
• Sprinkled onto food for a numbing, peppery taste

Kava powder gives you flexibility to incorporate kava into tasty treats.

Kava Dosage Guidelines

Kava dosage depends on the preparation type and kavalactone concentration:

• Mild effects: 30-70mg kavalactones
• Moderate effects: 70-150mg kavalactones
• Strong effects: Over 150mg kavalactones

To achieve relaxation without extreme drowsiness, a dosage between 60-120mg kavalactones is recommended.

Always start low with kava until you know how it affects you!

Is Kava Safe? Side Effects and Precautions

When used properly, kava is considered generally safe for short term use spanning 1-3 months. However, heavy or long term kava use does carry some risks:

Liver Damage

The biggest risk with kava is liver toxicity leading to:

• Elevated liver enzymes
• Liver inflammation and lesions
• Liver failure in rare cases

Kava liver damage is more likely with:

• High doses over 300mg kavalactones per day
• Taking kava extracts made using acetone or alcohol
• Using kava for more than 3 months
• Consuming alcohol with kava

Avoid kava if you have liver problems or regularly drink alcohol.

Other Side Effects

Additional side effects of kava may include:

• Drowsiness
• Dizziness
• Stomach upset
• Skin reactions and rashes
• Headaches
• Visual disturbances

Using heavy machinery or driving is not advised when taking sedating doses of kava.

Drug Interactions

Kava can interact with other substances like:

• Alcohol: Greatly increases liver damage risk. Avoid combining them.
• Anxiolytics: Benzodiazepines, buspirone, antidepressants. May compound sedation.
• Levodopa: Kava may reduce effectiveness of levodopa for Parkinson’s disease.

Talk to your doctor before mixing kava with any medications.

Who Should Avoid Kava?

Due to risks like liver toxicity, kava should be avoided by:

• Those with liver disorders like hepatitis or cirrhosis
• People taking drugs metabolized by the liver
• Individuals who regularly consume alcohol
• Pregnant or breastfeeding women
• Anyone needing to stay alert like drivers or machine operators
• Children and teenagers under 18 years old

Consult your doctor before taking kava if you have any medical conditions or take pharmaceuticals.

Conclusion

For people seeking natural stress relief, kava may promote relaxation by reducing anxiety, easing muscle tension, enhancing sleep, and elevating mood. As a traditional social and ceremonial drink of the Pacific Islands, kava engenders feelings of inner calm and connection to others.

However, heavy, long-term kava use does carry health risks related to liver function as well as side effects like drowsiness. By educating yourself on proper dosage, potential interactions, and precautions before trying kava, you can make an informed decision about whether kava is right for your needs.

Overall, drinking kava tea or taking kava supplements in moderation can provide tranquility-boosting benefits for modern life when used mindfully and appropriately. Just be sure to listen to your body, avoid excessive doses, and see your doctor if any concerning reactions occur.

References

• Singh, Y. N., & Blumenthal, M. (1997). Kava: an overview. HerbalGram, 39, 33-55.

• Sarris, J., LaPorte, E., & Schweitzer, I. (2011). Kava: a comprehensive review of efficacy, safety, and psychopharmacology. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 45(1), 27-35.

• Teschke, R., & Lebot, V. (2011). Proposal for a kava quality standardization code. Food and chemical toxicology, 49(10), 2503-2516. This is some basic, sample markdown.