Kava Or P. Methysticum

Natural Herbs Affecting The Mind

Antianxiety herb Kava - reputed for reducing stress, relaxing body and mind without losing alertness. This psychoactive herb is a good herbal remedy for tension, stress, anxiety, restlessness.

English Name:

Kava or P. methysticum is the herb for mind and mood disorders. Find the dosage, names, biochemical constituents and info about medicinal use.

Latin Name:

Piper methysticum (Forst.f.)

Family:

Piperaceae, it belongs to the black pepper family.

Other Names:

Kawa-Kawa; Methysticum, Intoxicating pepper, Ava, Ava pepper, Awa, Kava pepper, Kawa, kawa kawa, Kew, Rauschpfeffer, Sakau, Tonga, Wurzelstock, Yangona etc.

Medicinal Parts Of Piper methysticum:

• The Rootstocks are used both fresh and dried.

• The leaves and stem peelings are not used, and if contaminated with root, cause serious Liver problems.

Dosage:

When should one take Kava and at which time?

• Natives use it at the end of day, when rituals or ceremonies begin.

• If you are taking it once a day, it is better to take it during evening or some time before going to bed. You have to work out your most suitable time before bedtime. It can vary depending upon the preparation you are using.

• And practically one can take it Anytime of the day. When taken in two or three times a day, it is taken in the morning and noon time as well.

What dosage should be taken?

• Its exact dosage  should be taken after considering the percentage of Kavalactones in the preparation that you are taking.

• The standard dosage used in most clinical studies suggest to take these pyrones 70 - 210 mg per day. Take 70 mg Kavalactone in the evening and if it doesn't relieve anxiety, take another 70 mg Kavalactone dose in the morning. In the same way, after one week you can add the third 70 mg dose in a single day.

• Most of the pill or capsule contain its extract with Kavalactones ranging from 30 - 70%. The 100 mg of 30% extract is equal to 30 mg of Kavalactone. The 100 mg of 50% extract contains 50 mg of Kavalactones. So use this % information from the label or suggestion slip with your product.

• The crude powder used by native contains low concentration of Kavalactones than most commercial preparations.

• The aqueous extract is very mild in concentration of Kavalactones than Alcoholic or other organic compound extracts.

Should P. methysticum be taken daily or with breaks?

• The best way to take it is to use it 4 days a week. And to discontinue it for one week in a month.

• Don't take it for more than 4-6 months or 25-30 weeks.

In what conditions should one take it occasionally?

Whenever you feel that you need relaxation, whenever you feel more stressed you can take it occasionally. It won't cause any ill effects. e.g. facing an interview, taking examination, great hours of work etc.

When do I need to consult the herbalist before taking Kava?

• If you don't find your anxiety reduced after coming to 70 mg Kavalactones three times a day dose, you should visit a doctor and follow his advice.

Relative Contraindications:

Seek the help of a herbalist or health practitioner before using it if you have any of these -

• Liver ailments

• Using alcohol

• are pregnant or breastfeeding

• using it excessively

• having jaundice, abdominal problems after using P. methysticum

• Using with other medicine

• Teenagers shouldn't use it.

Different Forms In Which Kava Is Used:

• Used by Native folks - fresh herb root is grated and made into a non fermented beverage with water, coconut water, olive oil or some other edible oil.

• Kava ball - dried powder kept in a clothe and used for making infusion.

• The dried powder is brownish in color.

•  Fresh freeze dried P. methysticum prepared from Whole Lateral root is best for use. It contains Active Co-factors like Minor Kavalactones, Flavokavins.

• It should be used from a specific Chemotype of Vanuatu which is the original ancestral place of Kava.

• Extract of P. methysticum is second to Fresh freeze dried product in quality.

• The Stem or Leaf or Peeled bark should never be contaminated as it has harmful substance for Liver particularly.

Bio-Chemical Constituents:

The root of P. methysticum contains the active principle -  Pyrones or Kavalactones. Some kavalactones are kawain, methysticin, and yangonin. "Waka" grade P. methysticum contains the highest concentration of kavalactones. Despite contrary claims, there are not any psychoactive alkaloids in P. methysticum.

The aqueous extract is different from fat soluble extract. The Fat soluble extract contains the more concentration of active substances.

Most of the preparations contain a resin that has related six resinous alpha Pyrones - Yangonin, desmoethyl-oxy-yangonin, kawain, dihydro-kawain, methysticin and dihydromethysticin, together with two glycosides, mucilage and sugar.     

The Ayurvedic Properties Of Piper methysticum:

 It is not described in Ayurveda. Still after studying the plant the following properties are found.

• Qualities - Fast, Acute

• Taste - Pungent, Bitter

The Compound Herbal Formulations Of Kava:

Several other herbs that are slightly less fast acting in short term but over the period of days, they are a good substitute of P. methysticum. In addition to substitution, its good effects can be maintained and by adding other herbs, the other undesirable effects can be neutralized. The Herbal drugs are - Ashwagandha, Valerian, Hops, Passionflower etc.

Some nutrients like 5-HTP, Tryptophan, Zinc, Magnesium and Vitamin B complex can be good additive to deal with Anxiety with Herbs for Anxiety.

Kava-Liquid (Click Image)

Use Kava For:

1. As anxiolytic, tranquilizer or calming agent; in anxiety, nervous restlessness.
2. In tension and stress.
3. In agitated state.
4. Weakness or fatigue with anxiety.
5. Chronic pain with tense muscles.
6. Read Kava related pages on Holistic-Herbalist for dosage, safety and side effects.
7. Take one capsule or 300 mg during acute condition or once every two day. Prefer to take other anxiolytic herbs like passionflower for long term and continuous use. Alternatively you can take drops - 1.6 ml or 2 dropperfuls instead of capsule. Never exceed dosage more than twice a day for drops or capsules.

Buying Information:

1. We recommend the interested visitors to get Kava Kava Capsules supplements from this place. This is a good store, with reputable quality and one of the most reasonable price. Get a pack of 30 capsules.
2. We recommend the interested visitors to get Kava-Liquid Drops supplements from this place. Get a pack of 60 ml of bottle with 37 dosage.

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Piper methysticum - Research Based Benefits & Uses
Piper methysticum Or Kava - Traditional Benefits & Uses
Kava Dosage & Bio-chemical Composition
Kava Side Effects, Liver Controversy, Allergies
About The Plant & Pictures Of Kava
Clinical Research & Resources Of Kava

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