The Beneficial Effects of Kava
More and more people are discovering the many beneficial kava root effects and how it is a natural way to relax your mind and body.
Kava root effects are known to be both mental (heady) and physical (heavy). The effects of any given kava will depend on the type of kava you are drinking. There are many different varieties of kava and each cultivar has a different balance of heady and heavy effects depending on its particular mix of active ingredients, (kavalactones).
Kava for mental relaxation
Kava is a psychoactive plant meaning that it changes the functioning of the brain. Kavalactones, the active ingredient in the kava plant, are known to affect the central nervous system. More specifically, the parts of our brain connected to regulating anxiety, fear, and stress are highly receptive to kavalactones and this is what makes kava the perfect herbal supplement for those times when you need something to help you calm down or to quiet your mind.
A drink of kava provides mental relaxation when you need some herbal stress relief. A balanced or heavy kava can help you wash away the fears and worries of the ordinary working day and is a great alternative to a glass of alcohol as a means to unwind after a hard or high-pressure day at work.
Kava relieves muscle tension
Another Beneficial effect of kava and the mild sedation resulting from the consumption of heavier kava varieties is a relaxation of the body’s muscles. Many people say that after drinking kava their body feels the same as after a good massage or session of yoga. For this reason, many people like to drink kava following a strenuous exercise workout or competitive sports.
Kava as a natural sleep aid
Stress and worry can keep you awake at night. Kava’s ability to calm the mind and physically relax the bodies’ muscles makes it ideal for those nights when you are having trouble getting to or staying asleep. The best kavas to use for nighttime are heavy kavas, which, in addition to their ability to quiet the mind, have the added benefit of making your limbs feel heavy and your body more relaxed, promoting sleepiness. Learn more.
Kava enhances mood and sociability
Kava is a mood enhancer. One of the psychotropic effects of kava consumption is that people become notably more cheerful, especially with headier kava varieties. Anyone who drinks kava will tell you it makes them feel happier. And when we’re happier we feel more social.
Some traditional stories about kava in the Pacific Islands also tell of kava as an aphrodisiac. Not surprising as one study found that kava significantly increased a women’s libido or sex drive.
Summary of Effects of Kava
The beneficial effects of kava can be summarized as overall mind and body relaxation.
Just as there are many different varieties of kava, there are many effects of kava and kava uses. Kava is great for calming you down and reducing everyday worries and anxious feelings by providing herbal stress relief, relieving muscle tension to help manage pain, promoting sleep and improving the quality of your night’s rest, increasing your sense of emotional wellbeing, making you feel less fretful and more cheerful and social.
There is a long history and tradition of the use of the herb Kava as a natural remedy and residents of the Pacific Islands, known for their easy going and happier way of living, have been drinking kava for medicinal, religious, ceremonial and social purposes for many centuries. And it certainly seems we would do well to follow their example.
We hope this overview of kava root effects and the best kava uses will convince you that in today’s fast-paced, hectic world, it is worth adding kava to your go-to list of natural supplements to improve your health and wellbeing.
Why do you drink kava? Let us know in the comments below.
Note: any potential side effects of kava are generally mild and rare. Learn more
Important Note:
The information above has not been evaluated by the Federal Drug Administration agency. The information on this page and our products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Before starting a dietary supplement, it’s always wise to check with a medical doctor. It is especially important for people who are: pregnant or breastfeeding, chronically ill, elderly, under 18, taking prescription or over-the-counter medicines. None of the information is intended to be an enticement to purchase and may not be construed as medical advice or instruction. Herbal products contain phytochemicals that are not ordinarily found in typical food sources and may produce physiologic effects. Indiscriminate use of any herbal product is not recommended except under the direction of trained health care professionals. In addition, there may be drug interactions that may produce reactions or interfere with the efficacy of prescription medication.
