PIPER METHYSTICUM

KAVA KAVA

KAVA FOR RELAXATION AND CLARITY

Its nickname is "nature's xanax"... It is said that the most important health benefits of kava root include its ability to reduce anxiety, help in weight loss goals, prevent premature aging, help quit smoking, help quit drinking, reduce menopause symptoms, aid sleep, relax muscles, prevent headaches, and protect the kidneys. It can also help people stop drinking by replacing the booze with a better option - plants! We make no health claims, and we are NOT doctors or pharmacists. We encourage each person to do their own research and talk to their healthcare practitioner.

THE BENEFITS OF KAVA KAVA
BY JOHN STAUGHTON, BASc, BFA

TOne of the most under-reported benefits of kava root is actually its anti-inflammatory and analgesic qualities. While these are mild in comparison to other effects, these might be the most widely needed by the general population. If you suffer from arthritis or have recently had surgery or an injury, then having a quick kava root decoction could be just what the doctor ordered to relieve inflammation and pain.

Sleep Aid

The soothing quality of kava root, which is largely derived from its kavalactones, can have a major impact on your sleeping patterns and habits. If you tend to suffer from insomnia or restlessness while you sleep, why not try adding some kava root to your daily or weekly regimen? It can ease muscle tension and body aches, allowing you to find a comfortable position, while also soothing the mind and allowing you to drift off into uninterrupted sleep.

Anxiety Aid

The anxiolytic effects of kava root are probably the most well-known and desired by users herbal practitioners. By managing the hormonal balance in the body and easing the release of stress hormones into the bloodstream, kava root extracts and decoctions can keep your body and mind feeling calm and content, not to mention eliminating the potential dangers of having too many stress hormones in your system!

Headache Prevention

Although closely related to the other pain relief and inflammation benefit, kava root has also shown its efficacy against headaches and migraines, offering quick relief from those suffering from the conditions in laboratory tests.

Kidney Health

Brewing from the rootstock of kava has long been used in traditional medicine to prevent urinary tract infections. As these infections tend to come back quite often for some individuals, having a simple solution like a kava root decoction is a wise choice.

Menopause Issues

As women age, they enter a period of life called menopause, when they stop menstruating. However, this transition can be long and uncomfortable, including hot flashes, cramping, hormonal swings, and anxiety. Kava root has been tested positively in individuals going through menopause and has shown itself to be superior to placebo and over-the-counter menopause treatments.

Weight Loss Goals

Although this is a second-generation health benefit, kava root can help you lose weight by eliminating stress and anxiety. One of the most common triggers for overeating is stress, so by removing the stimuli, kava root can help people lose weight and avoid snacking between meals.

Prevent Premature Aging

Antioxidants are powerful organic compounds that can help our bodies stay safe by eliminating or neutralizing free radicals around our systems. Free radicals are the dangerous byproducts of cellular respiration and can cause the mutation or apoptosis of healthy cells. This can lead to premature aging and other diseases. In terms of kava root, it has often been praised for its life-giving qualities, and studies have shown that free radical activity is decreased with kava root application, as the concentration of antioxidants is so high.

Quit Smoking

Kava root is a popular tool to help people quit anything (alcohol, cigarettes, drugs, etc.), as it can help curb cravings and eliminate the anxiety so often caused when all you want in the world is a cigarette. Kava root decoction can calm the nerves when you are particularly desperate to break the promise to yourself. In other words, the kava root represents a major challenge to two globally dominant industries – cigarettes and anti-depressants.