Kava tea is used
traditionally in the Pacific Islands
Herbs For
Natural Sleep - Kava
by Donald
Saunders
Insomnia is an
age-old problem which affects the lives of many millions of people
worldwide causing mild irritation to some and severely affecting the
quality of life for a large number of us.
Finding a cure for insomnia and returning to night after night of
natural sleep is not always an easy matter but, for many people, the
solution lies in the use of time-honored traditional herbal remedies
such as Kava.
Kava is the name given by Pacific islanders to both a shrub
belonging to the pepper family and also to the beverage made from
it. The shrub can be found in abundance chiefly in western
Polynesia, especially in Samoa and Tonga, and most of Melanesia,
including Fiji. It also grows on Pohnpei Island, in Micronesia.
People have traditionally prepared
kava as a cold tea (an infusion made from straining a mixture of
water and shredded and pounded fresh or dried root). An easy method
for the preparation of
kava tea involves popping two or more heaped teaspoons of kava
root for each person into a clean stocking, tying a knot in it and
then squeezing it repeatedly in a bowl of cold water.
The tea commonly produces a slight numbing of the lips and tongue
initially, followed by mildly talkative and euphoric behavior, a
sense of calm and well-being, clear thinking and relaxation. Sleep
associated with
kava is especially restful and there are no after effects the
next day.
Kava can be purchased at health food stores as a standardized
extract and is a convenient method of anxiety relief as it is fast
acting and extremely potent. You can also buy
kava in tablet form.
Some sellers also package high-powered
kava mixtures in convenient mini spray bottles. These are handy
to keep in a backpack or purse and are highly effective in providing
a quick burst of relaxation. Just one or two quick sprays under the
tongue can do wonders for tension and jitters.
If you are thinking about buying the raw root, it is sensible to buy
whole, top grade lateral root.
The effective daily dose of
kava is wide ranging from 70 mg to 200 mg of kavalactones which
are recognized as the major biochemical anti-anxiety constituents.
To promote a deep natural sleep it is recommended that you should
take a dose of from 150 mg to 200 mg about 20 or 30 minutes before
going to bed.
Some concerns have been voiced recently about the safety of
kava after a small number of deaths from liver failure. Because
of this Switzerland and France have banned Kava, while Germany has
made it available only on prescription. In the United States the CDC
(Center for Disease Control) has expressed reservations over its
use.
Controversy abounds, fired by the economic interest of the kava
exporting nations and disagreements between the medical profession
and supporters of natural medicine. At this time the 'jury is out'
and only time will expose the truth. You should note however that
the Tongans have relied heavily on
kava for many years and that it is of great importance within
Tongan society.
One side-effect associated with the heavy use of kava is that of
kava dermopathy - a scaly eruption of the skin. This goes away
if use is discontinued and is harmless. In the past, Hawaiians used
to drink large quantities of
kava to produce just this effect as a means of cleansing the
skin and giving themselves a clearer, smoother complexion.
About the author: Donald Saunders is the author of a number of
health related publications including "Help Me To Sleep - A Guide to
Natural Sleep Remedies". To find out more about the use of herbs to
promote
natural sleep and as a cure for insomnia visit
HelpMeToSleep.com
Purchase Kava Online Now
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