Australian root Kava Kava

Kava kava is a plant with remarkable effects on human health. What can it be used for and how can it be obtained in Czechia?

What is kava kava

The official Czech name sounds almost poetic – pepper tree. In Latin, this plant is called Piper methysticum, but you will also encounter it under the name kava kava. It is a tropical evergreen shrub with woody stems that can grow to a height of 2.5 to 6 meters.

It resembles the well-known black pepper plant, which is used as a traditional spice in our country. It has similar heart-shaped leaves and its scent is reminiscent of pepper. It originates from the South Pacific islands. Its original homeland is Polynesia, from where it spread to Melanesia, New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Fiji, and Vanuatu.

As for its name, according to linguists, the reconstructed Proto-Polynesian term for the plant, „kava,“ is derived from the Proto-Oceanic term „kawaR,“ meaning „bitter root“ or „strong root“ (in the context of „used as fish poison“).

Traditionally, the plants are harvested at around four years of age, as older plants have a higher concentration of beneficial compounds. The leaves, root, and stem can all be used. In its country of origin, the individual parts are used as a remedy in local medicine. Above all, they alleviate urogenital problems, such as urinary tract infections, but also gastrointestinal diseases. They are also used for respiratory diseases such as asthma. Kava kava is also used for skin diseases and local injuries and is also used as an analgesic.

How to use kava kava

Kava kava can be taken in the form of tea, capsules, powder, tincture, or extracts. It can also be combined with other herbs to enhance its relaxing effect. In general, extracts or tinctures are more concentrated and therefore more effective than other types of preparations. Tea is the most commonly available form. Those who do not like the specific taste can take capsules.

It is always important to focus on the proportion of the active ingredient, which is usually stated in milligrams on the product label. The main active ingredient found in this plant is kavalactones. Experts recommend that daily intake should not exceed 250 mg. However, the effective dose is lower, ranging from 70 to 250 mg.

It is also recommended that the extract come exclusively from the root. According to some sources, this will prevent liver damage when using it. Most kava kava root extracts contain specifically 30 to 70% kavalactones.

How does kava kava work?

The root of the kava kava plant contains a total of 18 different phytochemicals, or plant-based compounds, known as kavalactones. These are classified as alkaloids. These substances have an effect on the central nervous system and the nervous system. According to available sources, they make up approximately 3 to 20% of the dry weight of the root.

Their mechanism of action involves influencing neurotransmitters in the brain. A neurotransmitter is usually a low-molecular-weight chemical substance that occurs naturally in the nervous system of animals and serves to transmit impulses.

One of these neurotransmitters is gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which reduces nerve activity. It is the main neurotransmitter in the central nervous system of mammals. It plays an important role in regulating the excitability of neurons in the CNS.

In humans, GABA is directly responsible for regulating muscle tone. Its main function is to reduce the activity of neurons in the nervous system. This results in calming the mind, improving sleep, and reducing anxiety.

What are the effects of kava kava?

Recently, this plant has been receiving increasing attention for its relaxing effects and ability to reduce stress and tension.

Initial studies suggest a relatively wide range of effects of kava kava. These include:

• reducing feelings of anxiety
• protecting neurons from damage
• reducing feelings of pain
• reducing the risk of cancer – however, evidence in this case is limited to research on mice

Kava kava is also used to help people withdraw from drugs called benzodiazepines and for sleep problems. However, the benefits of its use need to be confirmed by further detailed research.

Other effects include muscle relaxation, which relieves tension and spasms. There is also talk of a possible reduction in depression and improvement in mood. After all, kava kava is part of social occasions in its homeland, and it can therefore be said that it strengthens social interactions and generally creates a good mood. Some people compare the use of this plant to the Western concept of drinking wine because of its social significance.

According to some sources, it also strengthens memory, concentration, and learning ability. Cognitive performance was also evaluated in a 2004 study by Richard Thompson, Willibald Ruch, and Rüdiger Hasenöhrl. The study found that kava kava administration can improve the accuracy and speed of task performance. This indicates a beneficial effect of the phytopharmaceutical on visual attention and short-term memory recall. At the same time, experts point out the difference between the use of common benzodiazepine-type anxiolytics, which tend to impair cognitive performance.

How kava kava works against anxiety

Most research to date has focused primarily on the potential reduction of anxiety. Anxiety disorders are currently among the most common psychiatric disorders and are treated with medication or therapy, or a combination of these methods. However, medications can have undesirable side effects and can be addictive.

More and more people are therefore looking for natural alternatives to these medications. Since kava kava binds to a different GABA receptor than benzodiazepines such as Xanax, Valium, or Ativan, this herbal alternative is less addictive than conventional medications.

In these cases, use for at least 5 weeks is recommended. Kava kava may have similar effects to prescription medications. However, according to current knowledge, it does not appear to be effective in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder.

How kava kava improves sleep

Lack of sleep is associated with many health risks, including the development of high blood pressure, diabetes, depression, obesity, and cancer. Kava kava can be an effective way to improve sleep quality. Scientists are also looking into this topic.

A 2001 study by David Wheatley, which considered the possible effects of kava kava on sleep, focused on comparing this herbal preparation with a placebo. However, the participants knew whether they were receiving a placebo or a herbal supplement, which may have skewed the results.

However, another study on this topic was conducted in 2004. Its author is Siegfried Lehrl. The conclusions showed that kava kava is indeed more effective than a placebo in improving sleep quality and reducing anxiety. Stress-induced insomnia is common in people with anxiety, and it can be said that these two factors are necessarily linked.

Does kava kava have any side effects?

Cases of liver damage and even death have been reported in connection with the use of kava kava. For this reason, the plant was eventually withdrawn from the market in Europe and Canada in early 2000. However, after reviewing the evidence, most countries allowed it back on the market. Kava kava has never been officially withdrawn from the market in the US.

According to available sources, this complication is rare and is primarily associated with long-term use and high doses. Under normal use, according to available sources, it cannot be reliably confirmed that the plant itself causes liver toxicity, rather than a combination of other factors.

One theory explains the risk by saying that some individuals do not have enough of the enzyme that helps metabolize kava kava. Up to 99% of the population of the Pacific Islands has sufficient amounts of the enzyme cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6), which enables metabolism, while in the Caucasian population, the incidence of this enzyme is 79 to 88%.

The simultaneous use of kava kava and sedatives is not recommended. This combination can cause excessive drowsiness or breathing problems. The combination of caffeine with this plant can result in an increase and prolongation of its stimulating effects. This leads to euphoric states in some users, but in others it can cause anxiety.

Is this product legal in Czechia?

This plant is not approved as a food or dietary supplement and is intended for scientific or collection purposes only, in accordance with European Union Regulation No. 432/2012. Unfortunately, you cannot currently purchase kava kava for personal use in Czechia.

However, in accordance with the above-mentioned legislative requirements, it is of course possible to officially buy kava kava in the Czech Republic. It can be ordered online. Alternatively, you can visit a specialized brick-and-mortar store. These are mainly located in the capital, so kava kava can be purchased in Prague.

The VivaDzen store offers a wide range of natural products, including kava kava and other unique products to support your health. These include a wide selection of coffees and teas, as well as cannabinoids.