Insomnia is an age-old problem which affects the lives of many millions of people worldwide causing mild irritation to some and severely affecting the quality of life for a large number of us.
Finding a cure for insomnia and returning to night after night of natural sleep is not always an easy matter but, for many people, the solution lies in the use of time-honored traditional herbal remedies such as Kava.
Kava is the name given by Pacific islanders to both a shrub belonging to the pepper family and also to the beverage made from it. The shrub can be found in abundance chiefly in western Polynesia, especially in Samoa and Tonga, and most of Melanesia, including Fiji. It also grows on Pohnpei Island, in Micronesia.
People have traditionally prepared kava as a cold tea (an infusion made from straining a mixture of water and shredded and pounded fresh or dried root). An easy method for the preparation of kava tea involves popping two or more heaped teaspoons of kava root for each person into a clean stocking, tying a knot in it and then squeezing it repeatedly in a bowl of cold water.
The tea commonly produces a slight numbing of the lips and tongue initially, followed by mildly talkative and euphoric behavior, a sense of calm and well-being, clear thinking and relaxation. Sleep associated with kava is especially restful and there are no after effects the next day.
Kava can be purchased at health food stores as a standardized extract and is a convenient method of anxiety relief as it is fast acting and extremely potent. You can also buy kava in tablet form.
Some sellers also package high-powered Kava mixtures in convenient mini spray bottles. These are handy to keep in a backpack or purse and are highly effective in providing a quick burst of relaxation. Just one or two quick sprays under the tongue can do wonders for tension and jitters.
If you are thinking about buying the raw root, it is sensible to buy whole, top grade lateral root.
The effective daily dose of kava is wide ranging from 70 mg to 200 mg of kavalactones which are recognized as the major biochemical anti-anxiety constituents. To promote a deep natural sleep it is recommended that you should take a dose of from 150 mg to 200 mg about 20 or 30 minutes before going to bed.
Some concerns have been voiced recently about the safety of Kava after a small number of deaths from liver failure. Because of this Switzerland and France have banned Kava, while Germany has made it available only on prescription. In the United States the CDC (Center for Disease Control) has expressed reservations over its use.
Controversy abounds, fired by the economic interest of the kava exporting nations and disagreements between the medical profession and supporters of natural medicine. At this time the 'jury is out' and only time will expose the truth. You should note however that the Tongans have relied heavily on kava for many years and that it is of great importance within Tongan society.
One side-effect associated with the heavy use of kava is that of kava
dermopathy - a scaly eruption of the skin. This goes away if use is discontinued
and is harmless. In the past, Hawaiians used to drink large quantities of kava
to produce just this effect as a means of cleansing the skin and giving
themselves a clearer, smoother complexion.
Donald Saunders is the author of a number of health related publications including "Help Me To Sleep - A Guide to Natural Sleep Remedies". To find out more about the use of herbs to promote natural sleep and as a cure for insomnia visit HelpMeToSleep.com
