Miles of Info

More Kava

Kava Kava
Herbal Valium from the Pacific Islands

A member of the pepper family, that acts as an herbal valium? The roots from a shrub that can relieve stress, anxiety, enhance sociability and help you relax? Yep, the pacific islanders have made Kava their herb of choice to relax with for 3000 years. Not only does this herb help relieve you of stress, relax your muscles and calm anxiety, ironically, it also can enhance awareness and stamina at the same time.

What is Kava Kava?

Kava Kava, a member of the pepper family from the South Pacific, is a shrub. Kava lactones, found in the root of the shrub, were deemed the active compounds in Kava and are at least partially responsible for its calming effect by attaching themselves to GABA receptors. I don't want to get too technical so I have included some in depth links to your left.

What is Kava used for?

The root of the Kava shrub has been used by Pacific Islanders for more than 3000 years to aid in relaxation and it was also taken at celebrations and social gatherings. Aside from the ancient ceremonies of the Pacific Islander's, Kava is currently used for relief of anxiety, headache, anxiety based depression, backache, menopause, stress relief and sexual enhancement. Nice.

What are the effects of Kava Kava?

Rumor has it that once discovered, this herbal relaxant turned an island of cannibals into an island of the most friendly, laid back, people on the planet. Kava has a relaxing effect on the muscles. It seems to quiet down anxiety, calm anger and can make one feel more sociable.

Finding good Kava?

This is where it gets fun, "not." I do not sell supplements nor do I work for anyone that does. Anyway, this can get annoying. My best luck has been with supermarkets, yes, supermarkets. Not your vitamin and herb stores with the $40.00 dollar bottle of Kava. Nope, the best I’ve found are at VONS, PAVILLIONS or SAV-ON drugs. The brand I felt the most effect on was Safeway Select Kava Kava. Find one that is labeled as "Standardized to 30% Kava lactones." I realize not all parts of the country have these market chains; these are in California and as you already know the rest of the country doesn’t exist to Californians. Anyway-just kidding, good luck.

Dangers of Kava

Never mix Kava Kava with Xanax. Science, along with the misfortune of others, has proven that this combination equals instant coma. You would think supplement companies would put a statement like that on the bottle however they don't. Also stagger your time periods on Kava. In other words take it for two months and then take a month off. Check with a health practitioner or do some research on Kava and its effects on the liver. Once again I’m not a health practitioner.

Home