The pros and cons of Kava
Kava is the name of two shrubs related to the pepper plant. They are also called Ava. They grow in Australia and the Pacific Islands, where people have cultivated them for centuries. Kavas are erect shrubs. They grow up to 5 feet (1.5 meters). The kava plant has round leaves and small yellowish-cream flowers. Kava is easy to grow in greenhouses. They are grown from stem cuttings. The roots produce a juice called kavaic acid. The people of the South Pacific use the juice to make a fermented drink called Kava, Ava, or Kava kava.
Students of all ages are restless as the school year comes to a close. This also happens to the most academic students, resulting in frustration and poor results to everyone’s dismay. Kava can be used in such cases to relieve anxiety, tension and stress. It calms you down and clears your mind. Kava, if used in place of alcohol, will help you relax and unwind without the next morning hangover with a fresh and clear mind to face the day.
Studies have shown that kava has anti-anxiety properties and improves concentration, reaction time and memory in people suffering from anxiety. Kava has been shown to achieve all the criteria of conventional anxiety medication without the side effects. It has also been found to act as a muscle relaxant. This, combined with the other benefits, has caused athletes to consume kava in moderate amounts. Kava also relieves menstrual cramps and pain associated with menopause and can also be used to treat urinary tract infections. Kava helps with stuttering by constricting the blood vessels in the tongue, giving better muscle control that makes speech easier.
Kava has its side effects. Dietary supplements containing kava extracts are known to cause liver disease, which is why they have been banned in Europe. The other side effects are very rare and depend on your genetic makeup. These rare reactions are limited to 2.5% of test subjects. Serious side effects of kava are liver toxicity and failure, abnormal muscle movements, listlessness, kidney damage, high blood pressure in the lungs, and blood in the urine. When taken along with other drugs, it is known to cause abnormal muscle movements. If you experience an upset stomach or rashes after consuming kava, it’s best to avoid it altogether.
Kava can be purchased by the pound or in multiples or servings. To prepare the kava, place it in a strainer bag or cheesecloth. You can get strainer bags in the same place where you buy your kava or in any supermarket. Put the powder (two tablespoons per cup) into the strainer bag, then dip the bag into the bowl of (hot) water to soak. The fine kava particles will melt in the water leaving the coarse sand behind on the cloth. Massage the fabric with a spoon to help the process. It is ready to drink when the water turns a muddy brown color. If you find this method too much of a hassle, you can use a French press with an extra filter paper.