Kava Kava - Polynesia's secret to a Zen life

Mother nature has solutions to all our problems. From food, shelter to medicines, nature has everything for us. Kava kava is one such medicinal boon for us, which is a natural pain and stress reliever.

Kava or Piper methysticum, is a plant native to islands of the Pacific Ocean. Derived from the Polynesian word “awa,” which means bitter, kava is famous for its sedating effects, which is why it is consumed as a calming drink for anxiety and pain disorders.

Kava is a tropical evergreen shrub with heart-shaped leaves and woody stems. Due to its sedative, anesthetic, and euphoriant properties, kava has become a cultural and social drink in the world.

 

How is kava drink prepared? 

The recipe for kava drink is as follows;
The kava root is ground into a fine paste, which was traditionally done by chewing the roots and spitting them out, but now is typically done by hand. It is then mixed with water, strained and consumed. Another way to intake it is by preparing kava root tea, in which kava root powder i.e. made from the dried kava roots are added into boiling tea.

How does it act as a reliever and stress-relaxer?

Consumption of kava extracts contains active ingredients are called kavalactones, which account for 3–20% of the dry weight of kava root. They possess relieving and anti-anxiety properties that affect the brain and other parts of the central nervous system similar to alcohol, making one feel calm, relaxed, and happy.

Various studies have been carried out on people with anxiety disorders to understand the kava root effects. It was found that kava root had a small but significant impact on reducing anxiety symptoms.

 

Conclusion
Although kava kava is an herbal remedy, it must be used as per the dosage limit as only then it will work effectively as a relieving and anti-anxiety solution.