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The plant known as Piper methysticum is part of the pepper plant family and is also used for the tranquilizing drink kava. The kava plant's main ingredient is kavalactone, which can be used to help relieve stress, anxiety, insomnia, social anxiety and migraines while keeping the mind alert. more »
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It's the problem that men don't like to talk about: impotence. If you must be silent about the problem, don't let that lead to a lack of treatment. While there are drugs such as Viagra that can be used to help the problem, there are also many natural remedies. more »
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ADHD, or attention deficit hyperactive disorder, is a behavioral condition characterized by inattentive, impulsive and hyperactive behavior. ADHD patients are often anxious, stressed, easily distracted, squirmy and talkative. Medical researchers still can't pinpoint the exact cause of ADHD, although genetics, toxin exposure and... more »
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Kava is an herb whose root is ground up and used for a number of medicinal purposes. Though kava and other herbal supplements have risen in... more »
Kava kava root is found in the South Pacific, including the islands of Hawaii, Fiji and Samoa. It is a shrub that is a member of the pepper... more »
Kava kava (Piper methysticum) is a tall shrub that grows on western Pacific Islands and has been cultivated since ancient times. It is believed to... more »
Kava kava (Piper methystine) is from the ground root of the kava kava plant that is native to Polynesia, Micronesia and Melanesia. There, South... more »
Kava is a tea-like beverage often served in the Pacific Ocean region. It is made from the roots of the kava plant and is said to have stress... more »
Kava (Piper methysticum) (Piper Latin for "pepper", methysticum Greek for "intoxicating") is an ancient crop of the western Pacific. Other names for kava include awa (Hawaii), ava (Samoa), yaqona (Fiji), and sakau (Pohnpei). The word kava is used to refer both to the plant and the beverage produced from its roots. Kava is consumed throughout the Pacific Ocean cultures of Polynesia (including Hawaii), Vanuatu, Melanesia and some parts of Micronesia and Australia. Kava is sedating and is primarily consumed to relax without disrupting mental clarity. Its active ingredients are called kavalactones. In some parts of the Western World, kava extract is marketed as herbal medicine against stress, insomnia, and anxiety. A Cochrane Collaboration systematic review of its evidence concluded that it was likely to be more effective than placebo at treating short-term social anxiety. Safety concerns have been raised over liver toxicity largely due to the use of stems and leaves by supplement makers, as opposed to solely the root of the plant as dictated by traditional uses."Lim"/>Sorrentino/>
Preparation and consumption
Traditional preparation
Kava is consumed in various ways throughout the Pacific Ocean cultures of Polynesia, Vanuatu, Melanesia and some parts of Micronesia and Australia. Traditionally it is prepared by either chewing, grinding or pounding the roots of the kava plant. Grinding is done by hand against a cone-shaped block of dead coral; the hand forms a mortar and the coral a pestle. The ground root/bark is combined with only a little water, as the fresh root releases moisture during grinding. Pounding is done in a large stone with a small log. The product is then added to cold water and consumed as quickly as possible.
The extract is an emulsion of kavalactone droplets in starch. The taste is slightly pungent, while the distinctive aroma depends on whether it was prepared from dry or fresh plant, and on the variety. The colour is gre read more at » http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kava
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