Out of all the natural medicines that can be used to fight anxiety, one of the most powerful is the herb Kava. Over the years, kava has been found to be extremely effective when it comes to treating the severe symptoms of patients who have been clinically diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Apart from anxiety, the herb is also used for the therapeutic treatment of related conditions such as stress, insomnia and digestive disorders, without causing any permanent side effects to the body. But is it really safe?
What is Kava?
Kava is a South Pacific herb that belongs to the family of peppers. The roots and rhizomes of this large-leafed plant contain kava lactones, which are found to be an effective remedial alternative used for the treatment of anxiety-related conditions. Over the past years, the roots of this plant have been used by local medical practitioners of several Pacific Ocean cultures to make a drink that has anesthetic and sedative effects. In recent years, however, modern researchers have indicated that the herb is highly effective in the treatment of conditions such anxiety and digestive disorders, making it a highly popular natural medication among modern medical practitioners.
The Properties of Kava
According to research, Kava is known to have four basic therapeutic properties that are of importance.
- It is a highly effective herb that can be used to ease anxiety since it dissipates apprehensions and fears in no time at all.
- Its antispasmodic qualities can relieve your body and mind or all types of nervous tension, making you feel completely relaxed.
- The herb is also used as a carminative in order to improve appetite and regulate digestion.
- Kava is also an effective diuretic that helps aid the treatment of conditions such as prostatitis and fluid retention.
Due to all these properties, Kava is used for several other medicinal uses, especially on the South Sea Islands, where it is considered to be effective for treating rheumatic and arthritic conditions. In many areas, the herb is also applied as an ointment due to its anesthetic properties in order to provide relief to sore muscles. These aside, Kava has been known to relieve toothache when chewed and kept in the mouth for some time.
Is Kava Safe?
There has been some controversy surrounding the use of Kava as a natural medicine. In the following video, Dr Sam Robbins describes the safety and effectiveness of Kava for anxiety, stress, depression and insomnia.
As Dr Robbins describes in the video, some people who took high doses of Kava had liver or kidney problems. It is best to take Kava at a low dose in a formula that includes other herbs that work in synergy with Kava. It is also important to choose a high quality, organic kava extract (rather than the dried root or powdered root) because this has been proven to be the most effective. It is also not wise to use the liquid form of Kava. If you have any liver or kidney disease, or if you’re not sure, ask your doctor.
Click here for more information about ProVanax, the supplement mentioned in the video.
Who Can Benefit From Kava?
With its many medicinal properties, Kava can be used by a large number of people suffering from various medical conditions.
- Individuals diagnosed with mild or severe chronic anxiety and depression and suffering from insomnia can benefit from Kava.
- By relieving fatigue and increasing energy levels of the body, Kava can help those suffering from chronic fatigue.
- People who are suffering from inflammatory diseases such as asthma and rheumatism can also use Kava a natural anti-inflammatory herb.
- For those who suffer from constant colds and fevers or experience regular headaches, tea or poultice made of Kava can be quite effective.
Kava for Anxiety
While Kava is known to treat several medical conditions, it is found to be highly effective as an anxiety treatment. Taking Kava for anxiety can make you more relaxed and calm without causing any irreversible or severe side-effects to your body. Compared to other medicines that have been traditionally used to treat patients suffering from GAD, the rate of remission cases has turned out remarkably high in those who were taking Kava.
Out of the many studies carried out while testing the herb, the study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology shows significant results in this regard. The study, which had 75 patients diagnosed with General Anxiety Disorder involved, was carried out for a period of eight weeks. The people involved in the study were divided into two groups. One was given Kava to treat anxiety while the other group was treated using a similar dosage of a placebo.
The results at the end of the study period indicated a substantial reduction in the anxiety levels of the group that was given Kava, especially those suffering from severe anxiety. 26% of those who were in the Kava-treated group went ahead into remission as compared to 6% of those who were in the placebo group. The people in the Kava group were also found to be well-receptive to Kava without experiencing any adverse effects.
From this study and several similar ones carried out to determine the effects of Kava for anxiety, it is quite clear that Kava is one of the most powerful and effective natural remedies that can be used to treat patients who are suffering from generalized anxiety disorder of moderate to severe level. If you are one of those people, contact your doctor to determine the right dosage for you and get on with fighting your anxiety in a natural way.
What Is The Safest and Most Effective Way To Use Kava For Anxiety?
As described in the video above, the best way to use kava is in combination with other natural ingredients. This way you get the right dosage with no side effects. It is also important to use a pure, organic form of kava extract, which is found in a supplement called ProVanax. This supplement combines kava with other high quality natural ingredients and it is claimed to be very effective in helping anxiety and panic, as well as depression and insomnia. This is what one user had to say: “… I’ve been taking ProVanax for a little over 3 weeks and I’ve had anxiety for the better of 15 years. This has made a huge difference in my life. I’m able to be around social settings now, and not feel like I’m crawling out of my skin around tense situations. I’m calmer, I have more confidence and I feel that it’s made a huge difference and I can’t tell you thank you enough! This is a wonderful product and I’ll probably be taking it forever. Just wanted to say thank you.”(Testimony from company website) So if you’re struggling with anxiety and overwhelm, and feeling stressed and tired from lack of sleep, you may want to give this a try. Click here to learn more about ProVanax and how it can help your anxiety. |
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This is a great product and has helped me tremendously. Is the Kava in Provanax extracted from the root or stem? Also, how long can one be on it without causing any negative effects (ie. liver toxicity)? Thank you.
Hi Diana, thanks for your comments. The Kava extract is from the root. There is a very low dose of Kava Kava in ProVanax… you’d have to take almost a bottle’s worth daily for many weeks to have liver problems.