Nature's Cure to Anxiety

Anxiety

Many clinical studies have found kava kava to be effective in treating symptoms associated with anxiety. In a review of seven scientific studies, researchers concluded that a standardized kava extract was significantly more effective than placebo in treating anxiety. Another study found that kava substantially improved symptoms after only 1 week of treatment. Results of clinical studies and the experiences of people using kava suggest that this herb may be as effective as certain anti-depressants and anti-anxiety medications. In fact, according to one recent study, kava and diazepam (a medication frequently used for anxiety) cause matching changes in brain wave activity, suggesting that they may work very similarly to calm the mind.

A review of 3 clinical studies for anxiety disorders, however, found no improvement when using kava supplements. No liver toxic effects were seen in the patients. Research on the use of kava for anxiety has decreased around the world due to the reports of liver toxicity.

A study in 2004 found that kava may improve mood and cognitive performance. A double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial involving healthy individuals found that kava at a standardized dose of 300 mg seemed to improve tests related to cognitive performance and cheerfulness. Pharmaceutical drugs used in anxiety, such as benzodiazepines (including diazepam and alprazolam) tend to decrease cognitive function and impair the individual to a certain extent.

Some experts suggest that kava be considered for use when anxiety or stress accompany certain medical illnesses. For example, such feelings are not uncommon when being treated for cancer. In one survey, as many as 25% of prostate cancer patients felt depressed or anxious. The authors of this particular survey suggested that kava be considered to help relieve the feelings of such men with prostate cancer. Also, kava supplementation was reported to significantly reduce symptoms of generalized anxiety commonly in menopausal women or women experiencing PMS. (http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/kava-kava-000259.htm)

www.tasteofkava.com

hmmm interesting....

Are you looking to learn more about Kava? I just read this book the other day. Great read!

http://www.amazon.com/Kava-Medicine-Paradise-Alternative-Anti-Anxiety/dp/0892816406/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1225698661&sr=1-4

Cheers

Why so serious?

Kava has been shown to give the body a "natural high." So if this is the case, why aren't more people drinking it instead of other dangerous drugs? Good question! Its hard to find, and no-body knows about it yet. Let's get the word out! Have you tried it yourself?

www.tasteofkava.com

Cheers!

Can Kava be good for the body?

Is Kava good for the body?

Because use of herbal remedies is increasing, a risk-benefit profile of commonly used herbs is needed. This article provides a clinically oriented overview of the efficacy and safety of ginkgo, St. John's wort, ginseng, echinacea, saw palmetto, and kava. Wherever possible, assessments are based on systematic reviews of randomized clinical trials. Encouraging data support the efficacy of some of these popular herbal medicinal products, and the potential for doing good seems greater than that for doing harm. The published evidence suggests that ginkgo is of questionable use for memory loss and tinnitus but has some effect on dementia and intermittent claudication. St. John's wort is efficacious for mild to moderate depression, but serious concerns exist about its interactions with several conventional drugs. Well-conducted clinical trials do not support the efficacy of ginseng to treat any condition. Echinacea may be helpful in the treatment or prevention of upper respiratory tract infections, but trial data are not fully convincing. Saw palmetto has been shown in short-term trials to be efficacious in reducing the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Kava is an efficacious short-term treatment for anxiety. None of these herbal medicines is free of adverse effects. Because the evidence is incomplete, risk-benefit assessments are not completely reliable, and much knowledge is still lacking. (http://www.biopsychiatry.com/herbalmedicines.htm)

www.tasteofkava.com

Yum Yum Yum

Have you ever tasted something that makes you think you are drinking muddy water? Well if you have not you need to try Kava. It will make you want to throw up at first, but then it becomes an acquired taste. I wont ever say that you will eventually like the taste, but there might come a day where you just might be craving it. Get all the Kava you can drink at tasteofkava.com

The Kava plant

Did you know that kava actually comes from a plant? "What?" you say. Yep, its from the actual roots and stalk of the kava plant. First, it is harvested and left to dry for sometimes 2-3 years. Then it is ground into a fine powder so that it you can mix it into a wonderful beverage concoction. This plant is indigenous to the humid, Polynesian islands. A member of the black pepper family, kava’s active properties stems from the kavalactones found in its roots. So have a cup and Enjoy! tasteofkava.com

The Traditional Kava Ceremony

Many people wonder where kava got its roots from? (no pun intended)

It has been greatly used in many polynesian culture ceremonies in their respected form of village government. It also had many opinions on where it came from. According to oral tradition, it was said that centuries ago, the King of Tonga visited a distant island plagued by famine. The people had nothing to offer him, so one woman, in her zeal to offer the king good food, sacrificed her baby, cooked it and wrapped it in leaves as if it were a suckling pig. The king perceived in time that this food was taboo and ordered that the child should be given a princely burial. Out of the grave grew the kava plant which alleviates hunger.

It is drank in kinship and chiefship rituals, for public atonement of misdeeds. Many people were pardoned for their crimes after a kava ceremony. Sharing a kava bowl allows for socialization and friendship to occur. Fears are allayed and friendships cemented.
On Wallis Island, official decisions are made during the kava ceremony, and enemies are reconciled and goodwill is restored. Those who committed crime are often allowed to go free, thanks to the kava ceremony.
Kava has a key role in social ceremonies. It is usually the only way to welcome honored visitors. Former First Lady Mrs. Johnson drank it as well Pope John Paul II upon their visit to the Pacific.
But drinking kava is not the only way for relationships to be cemented. Sometimes, presenting others with a kava root is a sign of welcome and peace.
So next time you take a swig at this lovely polynesian delight, remember that to some people, you are pledging your friendship and love to others you are drinking with. Also, check out this video! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qzvSYorMWE Cheers! (http://kavaroot.com/aboutkava_frames.htm)

Is Kava okay for you?

In recent years many doctors/ physicians have studied the effects of kava and what it does to the liver. It has not yet been studied by the food and drug administration but it has been shown, in some cases to cause some of the smaller blood vessels in the liver to constrict causing an overall change in the cellular structure. Although these studies are not conclusive, Kava in general could potentially be dangerous, But lets look at its alternative Alcohol. I don't think we have to say too much about the dangers associated with alcohol. Where would we get started? Its addictive, been proven to cause liver damage, dangerous to drive/ operate heavy machinery, etc. If we had to choose one or the other, I would say that kava is definitely the best choice. http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2005-12-08-kava-concerns_x.htm

Weekend Fun

So its the weekend and you are looking for something new and different. Why not try kava? Its the new craze! People don't want the "after affects" of alcohol, and drugs are just out of the question. Kava is quickly becoming the beverage of choice for many weekend party goers. It might have a earthy "dirt" taste but hey, its worth it not being hung over the next morning. Kava doesn't have these "after affects" while still giving you the whole feeling of euphoria/ relaxation. So this weekend you're going to be looking for something to do! Why not buy some kava and mix it up?!
Check out my site...

What Is Kava? Kava (Piper methysticum) is an age-old herbal drink that was the beverage of choice for the royal families of the South Pacific. Believed to originate from Melanesia, kava grows abundantly in the sun-drenched islands of Polynesia. Although drank for centuries by the islanders, it was only during Captain Cook’s voyage to the Pacific in 1768-1771 when white man first encountered the plant and its consumption in sacred ceremonies. According to Cook’s account, natives chewed or pounded the root and mixed it with water to produce a brownish, often bitter brew which they then consumed for its psychoactive properties. A soothing drink with proven medicinal effects, kava is now available to anyone seeking to calm nerves or ease stress as well as anxiety while combating fatigue the natural way. Its special anti-depressant components fight the "blues" and bring on a happy, tranquil state. Kava is amazing for treating ailments like migraine headaches and cramps but best of all, it keeps the mind alert as the body relaxes. This traditional drink still plays a key role in Fijian, Samoan, and Tongan societies where it is drank in ceremonies meant to honor visitors, unite participants and validate their social identities. A member of the black pepper family, kava’s active properties stems from the kavalactones found in its roots. The roots are dried then pounded into a powdered form that LavaKava mixes and delivers to you. LavaKava only uses "Waka" grade kava, which contains the highest concentration of kavalactones. This ensures a pleasurable and beneficial experience every time for the consummate kava drinker.