Kava Kava For Pain Relief, Anxiety and IBS
Medical Uses For this Herbal Remedy and Muscle Relaxant
Sep 21, 2009
The kava kava plant has been used medicinally for over 3,000 years as a sedative, muscle relaxant, diuretic, and as a natural remedy for anxiety and insomnia. English explorer and cartographer, Captain Cook was the first person to bring back records and samples of this potent plant to Europe, but it was not until 1886 that any scientific interest was taken in the qualities of the kava kava.
It has botanical name Piper methysticum or “intoxicating pepper” attributable to its similar heart shaped leaves and flowers to the black pepper plant. Kava kava which grows as a bush in the hot, humid climates of the south Pacific is a member of the pepper family and even has a peppery taste.
Medicinal Uses of Kava Kava
In the Islands of Fiji and Tonga, this homeopathic plant is consumed as a herbal tea beverage. The native peoples of Hawaii, Australia and New Guinea have traditionally used kava kava both medicinally as a pain reliever. Today it is used in Germany as a herbal supplement to reduce anxiety in stress and depressive disorders, and is gaining popularity in the US and other countries for its relaxing effects. Kava kava is especially popular as an effective sleep enhancer and natural sedative.
The root and rhizome are the parts of the plant used medicinally and kava kava is available as a powder, fluid extract, tincture, capsule, tablet and as a liquid tonic.
Kava kava is found in herbal and homeopathic preparations that treat anxiety, nervousness, insomnia, pain and muscle tension. Pharmacological studies published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology (April 2009;18-21) show kava kava's active ingredients called kavalactones, produce physical and mental relaxation.
Kava Kava Used In Depression, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Gout
It is has also been used in the treatments of gastrointestinal disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome as it helps to relax the muscle spasms in the walls of the intestine. Its muscle relaxation properties also make it useful to treat menstrual cramps and muscle tension and aches. Kava kava is also a diuretic and anti-inflammatory and useful for gout, bronchial congestion, cystitis and prostatis.
In depression and anxiety disorders, herbalists use extracts of kava kava as a remedy for nervousness and insomnia. As a sleep aid it promotes deep and restful sleep and as a muscle relaxant it helps to relieve cramping due to muscle spasms.
Is Kava Kava Safe?
As with all medications it is very important to strictly follow guidelines and limit use to the correct doses for a short-term use. It is important that you consult with your family doctor before taking herbal supplements, especially if you are taking other medications. Long term use of the herb can contribute to adverse effects such as hypertention (high blood pressure), reduced protein levels, blood cell abnormalities and in rare cases liver damage. As it is a relaxant, kava kava should not be taken by those who intent to drive. The use of kava kava was banned in Canada, UK and Europe in 2002.
For further information visit: Medline Plus Drug Information on Kava Kava
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