Take a chill pill, Winston! (Kava Kava Root)

Member Name: hulahoop

Product:	Kava Kava Root
Date:	06/05/01 (1486 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Certainly relaxing

Disadvantages: You might need quite a lot to do anything

If you read all the guff about the Kava Kava root you might just believe it is the miracle cure for just about everything! I have yet to discover the truth, but it is certainly something that people all around the world recommend highly.

I was advised to buy some by a very helpful assistant at Holland and Barretts because I have had real problems sleeping recently, which has led to colds, worsening of my eczema and, most troublesome of all, it has led to me being the moodiest little @#*!??@£ in the World Ever ..... ‘95. I can’t explain my reasons for this apparent insomnia, because there are no obvious ones, but I have had problems getting to sleep all my life, and it would appear I am getting worse.

I have always hated the idea of messing with my body, so currently sleeping pills, tranquilisers, and all that jazz ;O) are something I would like to avoid. Even the idea of herbal remedies worries me because I’m a sensitive little being and am prone to allergies. Which is nice.

So - EXPERIMENT #1.

I am trying Kava Kava root extract in its liquid form.

What is Kava Kava?
==================
Kava kava, also known as Piper Methysticum, kava and awa, is a herbal remedy that comes from the root of a plant grown in and around the Pacific Islands. It is generally used in its powdered form.


What is it used for?
====================
Kava Kava has been used for about 3000 years, so they’ve managed to find quite a few uses for it. As I have said, I am using it for insomnia, but its general use is to relax the body while keeping the mind sharp. People use it as light relief from depression, for migraines, pain relief of all kinds, and to relieve the effects of menopause. It has also been used to unclog urinary tracts, to lose weight, relieve asthma and rheumatism. Drinking kava is thought to be good for headaches, cramps, and to cure syphilis and gonorrhea. It has been believed tha
t kava can restore strength, soothe stomach pains and cure such ailments as boils. However, I’m not too sure about the last few, so try it if you want, but don’t blame me if it doesn’t work!

Who can use it?
===============
As far as I can see there are no limitations on its use, although the usual precautions should be taken when considering giving it to children. The stuff I have (see below) is free from wheat, gluten, yeast, corn, soya, sugar, starch, lactose, salt, preservatives, artificial colourings and flavourings. It is also alcohol free (although alcohol is used in one of the processes for making the stuff, it is removed later) and suitable for vegetarians and vegans.

The label on the bottle advises people on medication, under medical supervision and women who are pregnant or lactating to consult their doctor before use.

How is it used?
===============
Kava is generally put through various processes, such as sun-drying and powdering, that make it into a powder. I bought the stuff which has already been made into a liquid, but the powdered form can be made into teas or put into ice-creams, infusions, what ever takes your fancy. I found some recipes on this site - kickbackwithkava.com , which provides other useful bits of info too.

For my use I put 5-10 drops (about 0.5 ml) of it into a little water, mix it round, gulp it down, twice daily.

Where can you get it, and for what price?
=================================
I got mine from Holland & Barretts which was about £4.50 for a 30 ml bottle, which should last about a month or 2. You can get it in different sizes shapes and forms for similar prices at Holland & Barretts, and most likely other health food shops. It is also available on the website mentioned above, but I haven’t used this so can’t really recommend it.
Kava kava is getting more renowned so is likely to become more available and cheaper.


Are there any known side-effects?
=================================
There appear to be no side effects that I have experienced or found out. The whole point about kava is that it relaxes your body while providing clarity of thought, but its probably best to find out what it does to your body before you take it while driving or working!

How effective is it?
====================
I have only just started taking it really, so I’ll have to update this. However, when I have taken it I have slept better and been a bit less grumpy! (My boyfriend is about to ship a crate or two of the stuff to my front door!) Most people who use it seem to find it varies from being quite relaxing to full on smile-o-rama happy-making. I suspect it depends on where you get the stuff and how much of it you take.

Right now I’d recommend using the stuff, but only just. I’ll keep updating this with the latest results of my trials (!). Just call me Dr.Hoop.

Summary: