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Kava kava is a member of the pepper family of plants and is native to the Pacific Islands. The plant's root is used in these ocean islands since antiquity as a drink, as commonly drunk as coffee in the US, noted for its calming effects. The kava kava root contains resinous compounds called kavalactones or kava alpha pyrones. These compounds have been shown to have sedative and tranquilizing effects. These compounds are thought to act on the body's limbic system, that portion of the brain responsible for emotional well being and survival instincts. Kava kava may promote sleep, rest or relaxation by changing emotional procession by the limbic system. Additional studies have shown muscle relaxation, anticonvulsant characteristics, local anesthetic action on mucous membranes, antifungal characteristics. The local anesthetic actions relieve sore throats, sore gums, canker sores and toothaches.
Kava kava preparations are readily marketed in Europe as a treatment for nervous anxiety, cystitis (inflammation of the urinary bladder), dysuria (painful discharge of urine), relieve inflammation of the prostate gland, ease menstrual cramps by relaxing uterus muscles and act as a mild sedative for the elderly. Animal studies clearly point out a marked ability of extracts of kava kava to calm enraged animals as well as to induce sleep. Anticonvulsant activity has been observed in adult human and animal models. Clinical work has shown that kava kava formulations are similar to benzodiazepines in controlling anxiety and minor depression while increasing memory, reaction time, and sociability. One study at the Department of Psychiatry, Jena University, Germany 1/97 conducted a double blind test of 101 people with anxiety disorders over 25 weeks. Patients given kava kava after the 8th week showed reduced anxiety and none of the side effects from the prescription relaxants and antidepressants. The study concluded that kava kava was feasible for depression treatments as a depression medicine.
I have incorporated the herbs kava kava, passion flower and St. Johns wort into my
Lift the Spirits Tea formula along with passion flower and St. Johns wort. Passion flower is an herb that is
 quieting and soothing to the central nervous system and has historically been used with children for nervous problems. St. Johns wort has been scientifically proven to reduce depression. These herbs work synergistically together to help uplift mood, raise the spirits, reduce anxiety and calm irritable nerves.
To purchase, click "Lift the Spirits Tea" or the "Teas" sign post below for other herbal teas.
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