What Is Kava?
Kava, kava root or kava kava (Piper methysticum: Latin “pepper” + Latinized Greek “intoxicating”) is an herbal plant and crop of the Pacific islands. Kava is consumed throughout the Pacific Ocean cultures of Polynesia, including Hawaii, Vanuatu, Melanesia and some parts of Micronesia. For centuries, kava root has been used as medicine as well as a recreational and ceremonial drink in Oceania.
Belonging to the pepper family, it’s also known as asava pepper or intoxicating pepper. The shrub grows to an average height of six feet and has large, heart-shaped leaves that can grow to 10 inches wide.
The chemical compounds found in kava root are often used to create a drink and are believed to have sedative anesthetic, entheogenic, anxiolytic, analgesic, muscle-relaxing and anticonvulsant effects, mediated by effects on the limbic system, the part of the brain linked to emotions.
Kava can also be found in many forms from tablets to powders and teas and remains available at nutrition stores and online.
Its active ingredients are called kavalactones, which have effects similar to alcohol, such as relaxation, talkativeness and euphoria, while reportedly maintaining mental clarity. For these reasons, kava has been proposed to be anxiolytic and used in patients with anxiety disorders and as treatment for insomnia, premenstrual syndrome and stress.
Kava root is most commonly used to calm anxiety, stress, restlessness and treat insomnia. It’s also used for ADHD symptoms, epilepsy, psychosis, depression, migraines and other headaches, chronic fatigue syndrome, common cold and other respiratory tract infections, tuberculosis, muscle pain, and cancer prevention.
While we have learned a lot about kava, kratom is a similar herb with many of the same effects. Kava and kratom are often compared since they both exude feelings of relaxation, but kratom is known more for boosting energy or calming the mind while kava is more known for its intoxicating, euphoric feelings.
Kava is said to offer a mild high, and it is often used as a herbal supplement for those suffering from anxiety or insomnia. It is said to induce a state of happy unconcern, well-being and contentment, free of physical or psychological excitement. Kava soothes temperaments.
Both grow in Southeastern Asia, and while kava comes from the root of the plant, kratom comes from the leaves and are often made into a tea referred to as kratom tea.
Because they have different mechanisms of action, using both together has been found to offer more potent effects, particularly since both:
Induce euphoria
Promote feelings of contentment
Improve alertness
Reduce stress
Kava Root
Mildly intoxicating
Improves mood, eases anxiety and boosts sociability
Influences GABA receptors
Stimulates dopamine receptors
Comes from the root of the plant
Kratom
Works as a stimulant in small doses and a sedative in high doses
Induces feelings of calm
Stimulates the mu and delta opioid receptors
Influences serotonin and norepinephrine receptors
Comes from the leaves of the plant
What are the effects and side effects of drinking Kava?
Physical effects of kava Whilst the taste of Kava is not pleasant for everyone, the effects are fantastic.
Standard side effects include:
Lips may become numb
A relaxing feeling lasting up to 3 hours
Loosening of your muscles
A heightened state of alertness
Promotes sociability
Generally, you feel brilliant. Also, you enjoy an enhanced state of relaxation. Furthermore, higher doses instill a sense of euphoria. Some compare the effect to alcohol, without the debilitating impairments.
Health benefits of kava Kava has many reported health benefits. These are due to the kavalactones present in the root. These same kavalactones are psychoactive and provide that great relaxed state of mind.
Benefits of kava include:
Reduces anxiety
Improve sleep patterns
Helps relaxation
Soothes sore muscles
If you suffer from anxiety, drink kava several times per day. As a result, you feel relaxed and the negative effects of anxiety disappear.
Alternatively, if you struggle to sleep, drink kava an hour before your bedtime. Consequently, you can fall asleep easier and enjoy a trouble-free sleep.
In addition, Kava is generally a great drink for relaxation. If you have had a stressful day, a tot of the drink helps. Alternatively, you can use it if you want to relax and chill with a group of friends.
How to Use and Dosage
Suggested dosage for treatment of non-psychotic anxiety is 105 to 210 milligrams daily for three to four weeks. (Standard kava)
mixed with coconut milk or water.
coming soon TO STORE: 100.1 SUPER STRENGTH KAVA KAVA
Note: 100:1 means it takes 20kg of root to produce 1kg of extract.
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