Kava Kava is the herb of many names and strong power. It is highly prized for its various medicinal effects and similar to ginseng it is an all-cure medicine.

Kava kava has been used for centuries by pacific islanders in cultural and religious ceremonies to achieve a higher level of consciousness. Kava's narcotic and stimulant effects made it highly popular and it has been drunk only before important religious ceremonies. Kava's cultural role in the South Pacific is beeing compared to with that of wine in Europe. Islanders have used dried kava roots made into a tea to obtain a mild stimulating tonic.

Kava can be found on Tahiti, Hawaii, Fiji, the Micronesian Islands, Samoa and other islands of South Pacific. It grows as a bush and its roots look like bundles of woody, hairy branches. Kava roots contain chemicals called kavapyrones that cause reactions similar to that of pharmaceutical drugs used for depression and anxiety and they are responsible for kava's effects.

Kava kava has recently received a lot of scientific support and is used medicinally as well as recreationally now. There have been countless articles published about this herb in well known magazines and publications. Many people are taking kava instead of aspirin, acetaminophen and ibuprofen due to its therapeutis properties.

Kava Kava's Therapeutic Properties

Kava kava is the remedy for stress and anxiety.

Kava kava is not intoxicating, and actually sharpens the senses, unlike alcohol. One study showed that kava extract did not cause any performance problems in driving a car. When used to induce sleep, kava is also very successful. Kava can replace a number of conventional and popular pharmaceutical drugs like Barbiturates, Zanx, Aspirin, Halcion and Valium. Many physicians prefer Kava kava over some prescription anti-anxiety medications.

The main use for Kava today is in the treatment of anxiety, stress, insomnia and restlessness, but it is also an excellent muscle relaxant. Kava relaxes the muscles and brings a feeling of heaviness to the limbs; hence it is useful in conditions of tension in neck, shoulder and back muscles. Kava also develops pain-relieving properties, working differently from standard pain relievers such as aspirin and morphine-type analgesics. There is no loss of effectiveness with long-term use even in high doses and no addiction potential.

Side effects of Kava are results of over-use and are easily avoidible. They include hardening and yellowing of the skin. Safe, practically free of side effects, and non-addictive, Kava is a powerful herb and a proven remedy.