Could Kava Cure Your Anxiety?

Last month I travelled to Fiji to calm down.

But not in the traditional sun, surf, cocktail-in-hand vibe the islands are famous for.

Instead, I journeyed far of from the glamour trail to the the remote island of Ovalau to learn about the latest innovation in natural treatment of anxiety and insomnia.

Brisbane based company Fiji Kava has repurposed Kava - the South Pacific’s most ancient medicinal root - as an effective, safe supplement to treat the symptoms of stress, anxiety and insomnia.

Issues that effect nearly everyone I know.

Intrigued? This is what you need to know.

Kava is a root used for over 3,000 years in the South Pacific. It has a particularly important role in cultural ceremonies and is traditionally brewed into a tea like drink.

The traditional beverage is made by crushing the roots and rhizome of the kava plant and mixing the material with water.

The active ingredient is kavalactones (a compounds found in the root of the plant) which is known for it’s soothing, calming and therapeutic benefits.

Research shows that taking kava extracts that contain 70% kavalactones can lower anxiety and might work as well as some prescription anti-anxiety medications particularly in people with severe anxiety, in female patients, or in younger patients.

As well as being TGA and FDA compliant and listed as a complementary medicine in Australia, kava is also sold as dietary supplement in most other international markets

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Speak to a local in Fiji about stress and they’ll laugh.

Fijians are the most relaxed, happy people in the world and there is evidence that there long standing kava culture may be responsible for this lack of stress.

Kava is now recognised as a natural solution to support muscle relaxation, assist in mind relaxation and calm and soothe nerves.  It has a depressant effect on the central nervous system and can slow down the messages travelling between the brain and the body.

Studies at the University of Queensland have demonstrated the effectiveness of kava has much to do with quality and the type of kava plant.

Kava is derived from the root of the kava plant and the varieties can be broken down into three types:

• Noble Kava is high standard, cultivated kava that can be exported in root or supplement form. It is free from toxins and impurities.

• Tudei kava is a particularly potent strain. This strain is prohibited for international export, however, often makes its way onto the market. Tudei kava can damage the reputation of kava as it may cause nausea and other unpleasant side effects. It is so-called 'two-day' as the effects can last up to 48 hours.

• Wild kava is another inferior variety grown in Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu.

The purest varietal is Noble kava which doesn’t induce the same adverse side effects (dizziness, nausea) of other lesser varieties. Noble Kava is supplement are the most successful in treatment of stress and mood.

HOW DO I TAKE FIJI KAVA?

Kava is widely used in North America both at home and recreationally with Kava Bars opening next to McDonalds as an natural alternative to both coffee and alcohol.

Kava is listed as a complementary medicine in Australia and is both TGA and FDA compliant.

Fiji Kava offers kava in both capsule and tea form for use at home.

Check with your doctor before you start any supplement particularly if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

For more detailed information on this product head to www.fijikava.com