Kava root extract is a root native to the Pacific islands that have been used for centuries in traditional herbal medicine. The benefits of this plant are many and varied and can include improved sedation, alleviation of anxiety, improvement in sleep patterns, and reduced or eliminated fatigue. You may also find it helpful in treating chronic insomnia, muscle tension or spasms, headaches, rheumatic pain, and congestive heart failure.
The dose you will use will vary depending on what condition you try to treat, but Kava root extract may be taken orally. It can also be applied topically on the scalp and temples, so beginners should start with this method before ingesting it. Kava root extract is traditionally consumed as a mild sedative by other parties to use for its ability to reduce stress.
Origin of Kava Root Extracts
Kava has been used for even longer than the origins of tea and coffee making. The plant was brought to Europe in the 18 th century, where it was grown commercially on the island of Vanuatu. The extract obtained from Kava roots is also called kava kava in many local languages. It can be prepared as a beverage to taste similar to tea or coffee or made into tablets or capsules for easy consumption.
Most companies that sell Kava Root Extract round 1 hell before thinking twice about who is derived from these essential oil plants. Some other extracts used in natural health products may be derived from Kava plants grown in the Pacific Islands.
Kava root extract is also used to treat common ailments and ailments that do not fall under any particular category. It has been used to treat many problems in traditional herbal medicine, including gout, asthma, ulcers, depression, mental stress, and stress-related disorders.
What are the Benefits of Kava Root Extracts?
In recent years, many studies have been done to determine how effective KAVA root extract is at treating symptoms such as anxiety and insomnia. An article published by the British Medical Journal determined that Kava root extract is as effective as benzodiazepines for treating anxiety and insomnia. A few other benefits of using kava root extract include the following;
- Muscle Relaxant
It is a muscle relaxant and can help reduce the pain caused by muscle tension. Kava root extract can also be used to treat menstrual cramps. In addition, it helps to improve sleep patterns, overcome insomnia, and many centuries to combat anxiety, stress, and depression.
- Sleep Aids
It is also a natural sleep aid, especially for those who have difficulty falling asleep, waking up during the night, or waking up in the morning feeling un-refreshed. Kava can help by promoting a healthier sleep pattern. For people having sleep-related issues, they can diffuse kava root extract into their room before sleep as it helps to relax your body and induce better sleep.
- Nervousness or Excitability
All parts of the Kava plant are considered toxic and, therefore, should not be used as a sedative with too much alcohol or with sedatives such as benzodiazepines; however, it is not at all addicting like most anti-anxiety medications are and therefore has been recommended as an alternative treatment for anxiety relief without any side effects.
- Migraine Treatment
Kava is also used to treat headaches and is a natural analgesic for migraine relief. It can be applied topically, orally, or as an IV drip. However, Kava has some side effects, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramping, so it is best used by people trained in herbal medicine by a professional medical practitioner to prevent any adverse effects.
Kava root extract may be a bit strong for small children, so it should only be applied to small areas of the body that are not easily visible such as the temples or behind the ears.
Sedation and Alleviation of Anxiety
Kava root extracts are especially useful in treating conditions such as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), in which people tend to worry excessively about their life, health, or several other issues.
Kava root extract is not at all addictive and therefore is not habit-forming. It can also treat insomnia, restlessness, tension headaches, and muscle soreness. It is a natural muscle relaxant used effectively to treat spasms and tremors.
The plant can also be taken orally in the form of tea or placed into capsules and ingested to promote relaxation, reduce anxiety and promote healthier sleep patterns. It has even been found to be beneficial in relieving stress during the menopausal years or menopausal symptoms, so women may find Kava extract useful for this purpose. If you want to learn about Kava Root Extract, click here.