Medicinal Uses: Upon tasting Kava, the root presents a mildly pungent,bitter and astringent taste with mild sialagogue properties, but impressesmore a marked local anaesthetic property upon the tongue, which suggestsits usefulness as an analgesic, especially to mucus membranes.Traditionally, Polynesian peoples used Kava to induce relaxation andcounteract fatigue, as well as for urinary tract problems, asthma,rheumatism, headaches and to promote weight loss. According to earlyethnobotanists, Polynesian healers used kava as a treatment for syphilis,gonorrhea and chronic cystitis. Kava was also used as a diaphoretic andstomachic to treat colds and flus.

In the West, herbalists found Kava to be an indispensable remedy in thetreatment of urinary tract disorders, considering it a powerful diuretic withanticatarrhal properties.

KAVA KAVA - PIPER METHYSTICUM

Family: Piperaceae

Part used: root

Herbal action:  diuretic, urinary antiseptic,antispasmodic, analgesic, nervine relaxant,anaesthetic, anxiolytic

Indications: infection and inflammation of thegenitourinary tract, urinary tenesmus, muscularpain, neuralgia, trigeminal neuralgia,neuropathies (e.g. toothache, earache, eyepain etc.)

Kava also finds usefulness as an antispasmodic, relieving not only thetenesmus associated with urinary tract infections, but in dysmenorrhea,arthritis and rheumatism, as well as a symptomatic treatment in neuralgiaand neuropathies. Due to its sialagogue and antispasmodic properties Kavahas also shown its usefulness in nervous dyspepsia when used in smalldoses, correcting deficient secretions of the stomach and relieving unduetension in the smooth muscle of the gastrointestinal tract.

In more recent times Kava has been recommended in larger doses to treatanxiety and depressive disorders. Despite comprising the bulk of its usage inthese modern times, Kava is at best a symptomatic treatment of thesedisorders, and should not be relied upon in chronic situations. Instead,consider trophorestoratives such as Avena and Hypericum, and alliedmeasures such as lifestyle and dietary changes.

Another more modern indication for Kava is as a sedative, but while it hasdefinite muscle-relaxing properties, it tends to excite the mind and promotea feeling of euphoria, which does not necessarily equate with a good night’ssleep. Nonetheless, some patients will find Kava to be a powerful sedative,usually in uncomplicated cases of social stress and concomitant muscletension.