History of Traditional Use of Kava Kava
Kava is said to have orgininated on the archipelago of Vanuatu whose name means, The Land Eternal. It has been domesticated throughout Oceania, (Polynesia, Melanesia and Micronesia). It comes from places referred to by many of us as" Paradise" including Fiji, Samoa, Tahiti, Tonga and Hawaii where it is called Awa. This member of the Pepper family (Piperacea) has been used for centuries in different ceremonies promoting social, cultural and religious enhancement. The Natives revere this plant and it's importance to them is much deeper than a mere medicinal effect for relaxation. Kava was used by eclectic physicians and physiomedical doctors practicing in the middle of the 19th century in North America as a genitourinary sedative and for pain associated with gonorrhea and other STD's. Kava was also used to treat a decreased flow in the glomeruli and for nocturnal enuresis (bedwetting). The native people of Oceania shared these uses as well as it's use as a topical antiseptic and oral anesthetic, and to relieve the muscular pain from Asthma and T.B. as well as whooping cough, headaches, stomach ache, and tooth pain.
Structure Function Claims
Promotes Normal Relaxation brought on by Daily Stress.
Promotes Muscular and Nerve Relaxation.
Encourages a sense of Emotional Well Being.
Mechanism of Therapeutic Action
The exact mechanism of action on the central nervous system is unknown. One recent study found that Kava pyrones mediate effects on GABA-A receptors particularly in the hippocampus and amygdala. It is an approved medicine in many European countries for the treatment of Generalized Anxiety Disorder. It is likely that many chemicals in Kava contribute to the full effects of the herbal medicine.
References:
Piscopo G. Kava Kava. Gift of the Islands. Alt. Med. Rev. 1997; 2(5):355-64.
Voltz HP. Kieser M. Kava Kava Extract WS1490 V. Placebo in anxiety disorders- a randomized placebo- controlled 25 patient outpatient trial. PHAM-Acopsychiat. 1997; 30-25.
Blumenthal, M. et al. The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Austin. American Botanical Council; 1998: 156-7.
Specific Differentiation of Gaia Herbs Product
Gaia Herbs produces Kava Kava Liquid Phyto-Caps and Liquid Extracts from lateral rhizomes and root-stock of the Borogu variety, which is one of the most potent strains of Kava on record and is ecologically cultivated by the native tribes of Vanuatu. Gaia Herbs uses only USP grade grain alcohol and water to extract its Kava. Resins and other fixed principles in plants are often extracted using methanol, butanol, acetone and hexane and spray dried into what is called a powdered extract. Gaia Herbs tests all of its products for heavy metal contamination and operates its Certified Organic processing facility under cGMP regulations. Gaia’s Vegetarian Liquid Phyto-Caps are easy to digest, assimilate and offer rapid absorption for a quick response. Each Liquid Filled Vegetrarian Capsule contains the equivalent of 1,250 mg or more than 3 capsules of crude herb. The regular strength extract contains 37.5 mg/ml(30 drops) of Kavalactones, while the most potent is the Professional Strength at 50mg of Kavalactones per 10 drops!
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