Herbs For Natural Sleep - Kava

Insomnia has been around since time began and is a problem that affects the lives of countless millions of people throughout the world causing mild irritation to some and severely affecting the quality of life for many of us.

Curing insomnia and getting back to night after night of natural sleep can be difficult but, for a large number of people, the answer lies in using time-honored traditional herbal remedies like Kava.

Kava is the name that the Pacific islanders give to both a shrub belonging to the pepper family and a drink made from it. The shrub can be found growing in abundance primarily in western Polynesia, particularly in Samoa and Tonga, and most of Melanesia, including Fiji. It can also be found on Pohnpei Island, in Micronesia.

Traditionally people have prepared kava as a cold tea (an infusion made from straining a mixture of water and shredded and pounded dried or fresh root). One simple method of preparing kava tea involves placing two or more heaped teaspoons of kava root per person into a clean stocking, tying a knot in the stocking and then repeatedly squeezing it in a bowl of cold water.

The tea normally produces a mild numbing of the tongue and lips at first, followed by mildly euphoric and talkative behavior, a sense of well-being and calm, relaxation and clear thinking. The sleep that is associated with kava is particularly restful and there are no after effects the following day.

Kava can be bought at health food stores as a standardized extract and is a convenient method of anxiety relief as it is quick acting and very potent. You can also purchase kava in pill form.

Some vendors also package high-powered Kava mixtures in convenient mini spray bottles. These are handy to keep in a knapsack or purse and are extremely effective at providing a quick burst of relaxation. Just one or two quick sprays under the tongue can do wonders for both tension and the jitters.

If you plan on purchasing the raw root, it is a good idea to choose whole, top grade lateral root.

The effective daily dose of kava ranges widely from 70 mg to 200 mg of kavalactones which are recognized as being the main biochemical anti-anxiety constituents. For a deep natural sleep it is recommended that you take a dose of from 150 mg to 200 mg some 20 or 30 minutes before retiring.

Some concerns have been raised recently on the safety of Kava following a small number of deaths from liver failure. As a result France and Switzerland have banned Kava, while Germany has made it available by prescription only. In the USA the Center for Disease Control (CDC) has expressed reservations over its use.

Controversy abounds, fuelled by the economic interest of those countries exporting kava and disagreements between the medical establishment and proponents of natural medicine. Right now the 'jury is out' and only time will uncover the truth. It should be noted however that the Tongans have relied heavily on kava for hundreds of years and that it is held in great importance within Tongan society.

One side-effect linked to the heavy use of kava is that of kava dermopathy - a scaly eruption of the skin. This disappears if use is stopped and is quite harmless. In the past, Hawaiians drank large quantities of kava to produce just this effect as a way of cleansing the skin and giving themselves a smoother, clearer complexion.