Kava is a plant native to the South Pacific. In 1998 and 1999 the product was the biggest selling herbal extract in the USA natural health sector, reaching US$50 million in sales. Big brands at the time were Pure World Botanicals, Eclectic Institute and Gaia herbs.
Kava is native to the islands of the South Pacific and is a member of the pepper family. Kava has been used as a ceremonial beverage in the South Pacific for centuries.
Kava or kava-kava (Piper methysticum) (Piper : Latin for ‘pepper’, methysticum) is a root is used as a natural relaxing medicine. The stop to the multimillion dollar boom of the past years was the sudden announcement of some BIG safety concerns about kava which surfaced in 2000. The plant was accused of causing many cases of liver damage and even some deaths. However, studies conducted by a EU funded study and subsequent analysis has suggested that the plant itself is not the problem, but some of the manufacturing techniques that used alcohol. The decade long ban from the market in Switzerland, Germany, Australia and many other countries hurt the economies of Pacific Island countries that export kava.Now, however, there have been international meetings and several active agenda’s to ensure kava can resume trade. The future kava products are advised not to use alcohol extraction.
The recommended type of kava to manufacture, in accordance with the studies completed, is a water extract. This is the same method of extraction used for hundreds of years by the
Kava is used to calm anxiety, stress, and restlessness, and treat sleep problems (insomnia). It is also used for attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), epilepsy, psychosis, depression, migraines and other headaches, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), common cold and other respiratory tract infections, tuberculosis, muscle pain, and cancer prevention.
Kava has been applied to the skin for skin diseases including leprosy, to promote wound healing, and as a painkiller. It is also used as a mouthwash for canker sores and toothaches.
Kava affects the central nervous system. The kava-lactones in kava are believed to be responsible for its effects.
In the traditional setting of the South Pacific, Kava has also been used in ceremonial exchanges between village Chiefs for nightly community discussions.
In the late 1990′s Kava Root was actually becoming more popular than Prozac in Europe and according to observers the bad health reports reflected “kava’s encroachment on pharmaceutical sales deeply concerned the drug companies. In turn, they became determined to do their best to tarnish the spotless reputation of kava – an ancient, safe and effective herbal supplement!”
The root and rhizome (underground stem) of kava are used to prepare beverages, extracts, capsules, tablets, and topical solutions.
Other popular reasons why people use kava for urinary tract infections (UTIs), pain and swelling of the uterus, venereal disease, menstrual discomfort, and to arouse sexual desire.
Due to ongoing restrictions, Thisisnatural.com ships kava only to the Unites States of America and Pacific island countries.
