Kava-Kava

Natural Anti-Anxiety and Muscle Relaxant Support

Description - Kava Kava (Piper methysticum) is approved in Europe as a treatment for nervous anxiety, depression, insomnia, and restlessness.  Clinical studies have found Kava Kava as effective as benzodiazepine drugs but without the undesirable side effects (impaired mental acuity and addiction).

Kava is also an antispasmodic and  muscle relaxant.  It has anesthetic effects on the urinary tubules and bladder.  With its analgesic properties, Kava is a good remedy for chronic pain. Kava is also effective for intestinal colic (pain) caused by IBS.

Suggested dose: 1 Capsule (40-75 mg kavalactones per cap) 1-3 times per day.

Dr. Myatt's Comment: I find that kava is much more effective when taken as a tea, which is the way it is traditionally used. Open 4-6 capsules in a cup of hot water. Sweeten to taste. NOTE: kava has a bitter taste that must be "acquired." Sweetening may help. If you know how much anti-anxiety or muscle tension relief it is going to give you, kava's taste seems a small price to pay.

Additional Note: You may have heard or read about safety questions concerning kava. As it turns out, only the stem, leaf and peeled root bark cause problems; the whole lateral root does not. This kava product contains whole lateral root only. Read here for more information about the "kava kava mystery."