Kava

Kava was first written about by Captain James Cook who discovered that the inhabitants of the Pacific islands  regularly drank a deeply thick brew made from the compressed roots of this prosperous plant.

The Natives called it after a word that most likely derived from the Hawaiian name for the plant, awa, which means harsh.

It’s preparation back then was a bit odd, the roots were chewed by the young and old, spat into a cup, and then combined with water or coconut milk until a proper thickness was reached. A few sips of this brew left a person’s mouth feeling a bit numb and their entire body feeling pleased and calm. Believed have originated from Melanesia and spread to the other Pacific islands, it was first only reserved for the elite and honored guests.

By consuming kava, it is thought that access can be granted to the spirit world where you can commune with your ancestors and the gods.

The ritualistic use of kava continues to this day in the Pacific islands. Its primary use now is to relieve nervousness and tension improving your mood and emotional state. Ingested in larger quantities, it is used as a cure for insomnia and has the ability to promote deep sleep.

Kava is also drank to promote general well-being, combat restlessness, alleviate weakness, and as a cure for colds.  Islanders chew these rhizomes or roots and stems to rid themselves of headaches and migraines.

Today, kava has become a popular herb in the western world. It is used as an alternative to prescription medications for treating anxiety, nervous tension, and depression.

Benefits are experienced relatively quickly and you don’t have to deal with the unnecessary harmful side effects of prescription medication.

It also helps to reduce menopause and premenstrual syndrome.

Herbal health advocates also recommend kava for insomnia and sleep disorders. However, it is predominately used for treating anxiety and nervousness.

Anxiety affects roughly 40 million Americans annually and can be very disruptive in an individuals day to day life.

Commonly, pharmaceutical companies prescribe benzodiazepines for anxiety-related diagnoses however they can lead to addiction and come with harmful side effects. It is always better to attempt a natural approach first before resulting to pharmaceutical drugs.

Beneficial qualities:

• Promotes relaxation
• Assists in reducing anxiety, depression, and nervous tension
• Treats symptoms associated with menopause