{"id":5252,"date":"2020-09-25T18:31:47","date_gmt":"2020-09-25T18:31:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wondermentgardens.com\/?p=5252"},"modified":"2020-10-02T18:25:28","modified_gmt":"2020-10-02T18:25:28","slug":"kava-kava-piper-methysticum","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wondermentgardens.com\/kava-kava-piper-methysticum\/","title":{"rendered":"An Herbal Interlude with Kava Kava (Piper methysticum)"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
Kava is a widely cultivated member of the pepper family.\u00a0 Grown in tropical Polynesia and the Pacific Islands Kava is a very interesting plant.<\/p>
First, Kava kava is a sterile plant, depending entirely upon humans to for its ability to propagate.\u00a0 No one knows why, but the plant has never been able to produce viable seeds.\u00a0 Luckily, it is easy to grow by taking cuttings.<\/p>
Next, no one knows where kava originated.\u00a0 They\u00a0 (the experts) think it may have started in New Guinea or Vanuatu because they have the largest number of cultivars.\u00a0 But the truth is they just don’t know.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
Finally, the Kava plant is said to be a gift from the gods, opening us to VU; the all-encompassing love of the God or Goddess. Drinking Kava is believed to enhance our connection to the creative force of the universe.\u00a0 Then once connected, we begin to understand the connections between all things.<\/p>
Kava Kava thrives in a tropical climates, growing best with plenty of shade, moisture and fertile soil.\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t Fresh or dried root, usually shredded or powdered root.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t kavalactones, sometimes called kava-pyrones, are the most important alkaloids in kava root extracts. High-quality kava rhizome contains 5.5\u20138.3% kavalactones.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t Historically Kava was used as a social lubricant. In Kava\u2019s originating culture when a visitor came, they were required to bring Kava with them. It is often served during dispute resolution because it opens participants to their higher connection and makes it easier to find common answers to difficulties.<\/p> Recreationally, Kava\u2019s mild hypnotic and euphoric effects, calm the body and nervous system yet keeps the mind alert, making its use popular as an alternative to alcohol and social drug use.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t Kava is a powerful herbal antispasmodic and analgesic and is useful when working with muscular tension and spasms. Especially when stress, anxiety and\/or trauma are also present. Kava relaxes both striped skeletal and smooth muscle tissue, relaxing without inhibiting central nervous system function or dulling the mind. This makes Kava helpful for a wide range of complaints including such conditions as fibromyalgia, urinary pain, back and muscular pain, cramps etc. Kava helps muscles relax without inhibiting CNS function. Small dosages are most beneficial and are often added to potentize formulas.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t Kava Kava works more as an anti-anxiety agent than as an anti-depressant. The constituents work mainly on the brain stem causing nervous system sedation. The many Kava ketones work on the limbic system, enhancing GABA receptors responsible for emotional and mood regulation. Thus, Kava helps to improve our mood, and lighten or stabilize emotions. Kava is reported to quickly dissipate many effects of fears and apprehensions, calming and sedating the system, making it especially useful for Anxiety, Panic, PTSD, and more.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t The same constituents that help with anxiety (affecting the brain stem and GABA receptors) make Kava useful for promoting healthy, peaceful sleep. It helps to relax the mind-body without heavy sedation.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t In many parts of the world Kava is the \u201cgo to\u201d treatment of bladder spasms, UTI and interstitial cystitis. It\u2019s an effective diuretic with potent anti-spasmodic and anti-pathogenic properties make it useful for a variety of urinary and reproductive dysfunctions ranging from cystitis, prostatitis, vaginal leucorrhea (including yeast infections), nocturnal urination, elderly atonic bladder and general fluid retention. It has a numbing action on the tongue, the ureters and bladder. This coupled with its relaxing effect on both smooth and skeletal muscle and its anti-microbial effects make it useful working with renal colic (passing stones), pelvic-pain syndrome, PMS and cramps, and testicular pain.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t Kava is a carminative that improves appetite and digestion. The combination of these properties makes Kava useful for the treatment of arthritic and rheumatic conditions, which is one of its traditional medicinal uses among South Sea Islanders. Topically, Kava can be applied as a fomentation or ointment for mild general anesthesia for the local relief of sore muscles. It can also be chewed and kept in the mouth for the temporary relief of toothaches.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t Kava tea<\/strong> is traditionally a cold infusion of the root in a high fat solution like milk or coconut milk.\u00a0 Because Kava ketones are not easily soluble in water.\u00a0 See instructions below.<\/p> Kava Tinctures<\/strong> are best made by double infusion in 50 to 60% alcohol.\u00a0 \u00a0 That means, make your first infusion with a normal maceration of 4 parts alcohol with 1 part ground kava root.\u00a0 Shake every day for 2 weeks and strain.\u00a0 Using the same alcohol, add 1 part new kava root to 4 parts of the first infusion.\u00a0 Again, wait 2 weeks and strain.\u00a0 Walla!\u00a0\u00a0<\/p> Infused oils and salves<\/strong> – Dried Kava root makes a nice addition to salve or infused oil.\u00a0 Especially useful in pain formulas or to help numb or desensitize soft tissue.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t Small doses are most useful and may be taken up to 4 times per day.<\/p> You will need a strainer such as a nylon stocking, cheesecloth, or muslin bags. Use 1 ounce of powder per person (2 tablespoons). Place kava powder into the strainer bag, sealing, holding or knotting the top so that none of the powder escapes. Then, immerse the bag into a bowl of cool water and or coconut milk.\u00a0 I like to use about 1\/2 water and 1\/2 coconut milk.\u00a0 The amount of water (or combination) will vary according to taste, but a good rule of thumb is 1 ounce of powder to a pint of water. Use your hand to knead the kava under the water or bring the strainer out and squeeze then immerse it again in the water. The kneading is the most critical step in the entire process.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t The kava should feel oily at first, which is due to kavalactone levels. Keep repeating this process until the kava in your strainer no longer feels oily. The water should take on the appearance of mud; the color of your kava brew may range from tan to dark brown depending on the varietal of kava used. If you wish, you can also add soy lethicin to your kava drink as an emulsifier to increase the extraction of kavalactones into your drink. That\u2019s it; you are finished!<\/p> Kneading can be replaced by the electric blender. Approximately 2 tablespoons of kava and 8 oz. (1 cup) water make for 1 serving of a drink. Simply add the kava and water in a blender for about 4 minutes. Pour mixture into a nylon sieve or cheese cloth, squeeze excess liquid into a bowl. Discard pulp and enjoy.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\tPart Used<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
Chemical Constituents<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
Medicinal Uses of Kava Kava<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
Social\/Spiritual<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
Muscular Skeletal Pain<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
Anti-Anxiety\/Anti-Depression<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
Sleep and Relaxation<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
Urinary system<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
Appetite and Digestion<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
Kava Kava Preparations and Dosage<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
Suggested Dosage for Kava Kava Preperations<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
Kava kava Recipes<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
Traditional Preparation<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
Contra-indications<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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