Native to the Pacific Islands of Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia, Sandwich Islands, South Sea Islands and official in the Australian colonies this herb is now gaining popularity in Europe and the United States for use as an anxiety buster and mild sedative. A member of the Piperaceae family (pepper family) it was first discovered by the European explorers in the eighteenth century when they were exploring the south pacific. It was used by native people as a drink used in ceremonies and celebrations for its calming effect and ability to promote sociability. The drink, a fermented liquor, was known as Kava. It is still consumer by Pacific Islanders to create a sense of calm and peaceful happiness.

Kava Kava can be used long term without the side effects associated with chemical anti-anxiety drugs.

Several favorable recent studies in Europe have approved Kava Kava in the treatment of nervous anxiety, insomnia, restlessness and depression. In Austria, Germany, Switzerland and United Kingdom the approval rating is high for Kava Kava based on detailed pharmacological data and favorable clinical studies. Research has isolated the key group of compounds to be kavalactones (or kavapyrones). Rather than any one specific kavalactone being more effective than another, it has found that the whole complex and other compounds naturally found in Kava Kava produce greater pharmacological activity.

Kava Kava compares favorably to drugs like diazepam (Valium) in the treatment of anxiety, insomnia and restlessness without any of the major side effects of this type of drug that often include impaired mental acuity, addictiveness and dependence.

Kava Kava can be used long term without the side effects associated with chemical anti-anxiety drugs. If anxiety persists for more than two months however, then it is advisable to seek professional help to resolve the underlying cause. Although now widely available, standardised extracts of Kava Kava are very popular. These extracts are usually standardised to an equivalent dose of 45-70mg kavalactones. However it should be stressed that the traditional use by the Islanders of Oceania is in the form of a liquid extract which is easily prepared from the root.

A word of caution though, Kava Kava potentially reduces the levels of dopamine in the brain and therefore should be avoided in-patients with Parkinson’s disease. It should also be avoided if you are currently taking other medication for anxiety including any of the benzodiazepines like temazepam and diazepam and avoided with high alcohol consumption. Very high doses, 16 cups or more daily, may also impair driving ability or operation of any heavy machinery.

If a person is suffering from anxiety, the first thing they need to do is to address anything that underpins that anxiety. As an example, if you are having anxiety attacks, remove all caffeine from your diet. That means no coffee, tea, cola beverages, and indeed soft drinks that contain caffeine. Moreover, alcohol and other recreational drugs, produce feelings of anxiety when the high is wearing off. Abstain from such substances if you want to be rid of anxiety attacks.

Anxiety can be a major red flag. Sometimes it hints that one needs to look at ones life. There is something wrong that needs to be addressed and anxiety is your minds way of letting you know this. If you are having anxiety attacks it pays to do some introspection, either on your own or with a qualified counselor. Anxiety can be a big fat hint and rather than medicating it, take it!

However, for symptomatic relief from anxiety, kava-kava is fabulous. If you find yourself getting panicky before boarding a plane or before board meetings, kava-kava will take the edge off. If you are going through an anxious period and you find yourself too nervous to sleep, kava-kava will help. Kava-kava is an anxiolytic, that is it cuts anxiety. It works and it works really well. But, we are about getting to the root of problems and if you have anxiety, think about doing more than just dropping a few kava-kava tablets!