Kava, sometimes referred to as kava kava, is both a new phenomenon and a long-standing tradition. There’s no question that it has plenty of history—its use for relaxation, socializing, in sacred rituals, and as an herbal medicine date back to prehistory. While your local kava bar or a soothing kava tonic certainly represents an intriguing and rewarding new experience for many people in the western world, you might be curious to know a few things before giving it a try. For instance, kava can foster a sublime sense of well-being. It is also increasingly recognized for its notable health and medicinal benefits, including its compelling potential as an effective anxiety treatment. Here are a few other things to know about kava.
What to Know About Kava
Kava is a tropical plant native to the South Pacific that is a part of the pepper family. Its medicinal and psychoactive properties were discovered by ancient seafaring people in New Guinea and spread throughout Polynesian cultures in Oceania as far Northeast as Hawaii. The active compounds, called kavalactones, are primarily found in the kava root. Kava root can be enjoy dried and ground into a powder, and many people mix it with hot or cold water to enjoy as a beverage or tea.
When You Should Try Kava
Ask anyone who appreciates kava, and they will tell you to try it as soon as possible. In addition to the availability of some high-quality kava tonics online, dozens of kava bars have popped up around the country in the past few years. Kava’s popularity is due in large part to the relaxation and sense of well-being it can offer, all without the less desirable effects of alcohol. In that way, it shares similarities with another natural herbal product showing great promise—kratom. Like kratom and any other ancient plants, however, it’s best to consume kava slowly and in moderation, especially if you haven’t tried it before. Until you know how you react to kava, refrain from driving or operating machinery after enjoying it. Keep in mind that large servings of kava can produce more pronounced effects.
Why Kava Could be an Anxiety Breakthrough
Beyond the social and general relaxation benefits kava offers, it has emerged as an exciting possible treatment option for anxiety. In a groundbreaking clinical trial, scientists from the University of Melbourne’s Department of Psychiatry demonstrated that kava can offer those with anxiety dramatic relief from their symptoms. The study found that, in addition to being an effective treatment of chronic clinical anxiety, including generalized anxiety disorder, kava carries less risk of dependency and fewer side effects than some other current treatment options. The findings represent a breakthrough that could improve millions of lives.
How Kava Makes the Perfect Evening Drink
A significant part of kava’s appeal for many enthusiasts is its service as a substitute for alcohol. It’s proving an ideal solution for people in various professions, such as firefighters and medical professionals, who may want to avoid alcohol but would like to enjoy a relaxing drink in the evening. In many ways, kava makes the perfect evening drink. Along with the relaxation and stress reduction it offers, kava is a mild muscle relaxant—that can mean physical relief after a long day. Finally, kava has widely been considered an effective method for combatting sleep issues like insomnia without grogginess the next morning.
How to Try Kava
Traditionally, kava was consumed by boiling the root in water to create a beverage or tea, and that remains the preferred method for enjoying it to this day. Today, you are not likely to encounter fresh kava root, but the dried, powdered formulation works just as well. While fresh kava root is reported to have a complex, spicy taste, the powdered form tends to have a distinctly earthy taste. Depending on your preferences and whether you enjoy the taste, you can sip your personal serving of kava like any other drink, or you can swallow it in one gulp. While kava extracts are relatively common, they are not necessarily the preferred formulation among the majority of kava drinkers. It’s been said that an extract of kava’s alkaloids is no more like actual kava than a caffeine pill is like a good cup of coffee. For the fullest and possibly safest kava experience, there are two options. If you are interested in trying kava, your best bet is to find a quality kava tonic online or enjoy a kava beverage, the way it’s been done for thousands of years.
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