Kava

what is kava?

Kava is the dried roots of Piper methysticum Frost. (Fam. Piperaceae), also known as kava-kava .Roots of good quality contain between 5.5 and 8.3% of kavalactones including the major component kawain, dihydrokawain and methysticum and the minor compounds yangonin, desmethoxyyangonin and dihydromethysticum .the root can be found on South Pacific islands. Islanders have been used kava as medicine for centuries.

benefits of this herbs(Kava)

• Animal studies have demonstrated the ability of kava extract or purified kavalactones to induce sleep and produce muscle relaxation and analgesia.so it can used to treat insomnia. It also can be anticonvulsive protection against strychnin and electroshock.
• German Commission E has approved kava for conditions of nervous anxiety, stress, and restlessness and the recommended dosage is 70 mg of kavalactones. As a sleep aid, 180-210 mg of kavalactones. 
• The CNS activity of kava is due to a group of resinous compounds called as kavalactones, kavapyrones or styrylpyrones

it is safe to consume Kava?

roots of Piper methysticum

Kava may had severe side effects and should not be used by everyone. Kava has been reported to cause liver failure in previously healthy people. So it is advised that you should not use kava for longer than 3 months without consulting your doctor. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have investigated whether using dietary supplements containing kava is associated with liver illness.

Before you use kava, please consider this:

• Kava should not be combined with alcohol or psychotropic medicines. Psychotropic medicines are used to treat psychiatric disorders or illnesses.it is including antidepressants and mood stabilizers. 
• Alcohol can exaggerates kava's sedating effect.
• Kava can affect how fast you react, making it unsafe to drive or use heavy machinery.
• it May gradually be less powerful as you use it.
• Eventually kava may cause temporary yellowing of skin, hair, and nails.
• this herbs also can  cause an allergic skin reaction (rare).