HOLISTIC HEALTH NOTEBOOK

Several years ago, I was introduced to kava kava (piper methysticum), an herb that hails from the Pacific Islands. Tradition has it that the people from that region dug the roots of the kava kava plant, chewed them, and spit the contents of their mouth into a container. They then let it ferment in the hot tropical sun until it fermented, and enjoyed the brew sitting around a campfire, much as we sip a glass of wine after dinner.

FDA has strict standards of sanitation so we do not chew the root and spit it anywhere. We neatly and tidily make an extract of the root with grain alcohol, pour it into a clean bottle, and sell it off the shelves of a neat and tidy store. We may not sit around a campfire and sip the extract, but when we are stressed, we drop some of the extract into our mouths and relax.

Preparations of the kava root were introduced into Germany and Europe in the 1860s for use as a remedy for urinary tract ailments and gonorrhea. Today, kava phytopharmaceuticals are widely used for nervous tension, stress, and anxiety. Kava is also known to have diuretic and anti-inflammatory properties.

A group of nine compounds known as kavalactones are responsible for the biological activity of kava.

Kavalactones have a direct action on muscle contractility, relaxing muscles rather than blocking neurotransmitter signals in nerve tissue.

In recent years, there have been reports of liver toxicity and kava kava. Regulators in several

Kava Kava (piper methysticum)

countries have removed kava from use. But no cases of adverse liver effects have been reported among natives who have used kava for centuries. Possible explanations for liver damage may include the concomitant use of alcohol or other drugs, or the use of the whole plant (including leaves) rather than just the root, as would be the traditional use.

Why would we use kava? This wonderful herb helps reduce stress, releases muscle tension, and eases pain throughout the body. As one guide put it, "Kava has a long history of use in promoting harmonious social interactions and may be useful for those who experience social anxiety."

Perhaps instead of offering wine with dinner, we should offer a sip of kava kava extract.

— Carol is a certified lifestyle educator.