Kava Kava: The Great Calmer

The tropical paradise of Fiji is an archipelago of 332 islands flung like rice at a wedding across 230,000 square kilometers of the southwest Pacific. The enchanting and amiable natives of this sun-kissed Eden have two favorite expressions: “Bula”, an all-purpose greeting which encompasses everything from “How are you?” to “Have a nice day”, and "Mataka", which roughly translated means "later". Fijians boast that when “Mataka” is compared with the Mexican "Manana", the latter rings with a note of urgency.

Historically the Fijians were
fierce warriors – today they are exceptional rugby players – but their usual
demeanor is relaxed, sweet-tempered and very “Mataka”. This is often attributed
to their fondness for Kava Kava, a drink made by pounding or chewing the roots
of the Kava Kava vine and then soaking the mash in cold water. Heat destroys
the active ingredients.

Several years ago I was sitting
cross-legged in a jungle clearing in Fiji, in a circle of laughing young
Fijians. They were passing around a coconut shell filled with a brownish green
liquid that looked like muddy water. I had heard about Kava and its alleged
relaxing properties and had always assumed that it was alcoholic. Not so. When
the shell was passed to me I took a sip and tasted a slightly bitter, but
generally insipid liquid. Urged to drink more, I felt a slight tingling
numbness in my lips and within minutes a serene glow was suffusing my body as
quickly as butter melting in a hot pan. When the shell reached the last person
in the group, he took a large mouthful and spat the contents on the ground. I
learned later that this was an offering to the gods for a rich harvest.

Kava has long been considered a
libation to the gods in the South Pacific. The spiritual healers of Fiji, known
as Dauvaguna, use the herb to help
them communicate with Vu, a spirit
force, who helps them foretell the future and directs them to apply the correct
herbal remedies for their patients. Kava is believed to cure illnesses, remove
curses and foster friendship. It has a pivotal role in the ratification of
agreements and the settling of disputes. It is drunk to ensure safety prior to
long trips, especially sea voyages, and to celebrate marriages, births and even
deaths. Mostly it is the South Pacific equivalent of the evening cocktail,
being consumed every sundown as a relaxant.

Kava is a perennial shrub
belonging to the pepper family, Piperaceae.
It was given its botanical name, Piper
methysticum, or intoxicating pepper, in 1777 by the explorer and botanist,
Johann Georg Forster.

Research shows that the main
active ingredients in the root of Kava are a group of resinous compounds called
kava lactones. These have a depressant effect on the central nervous system and
are sedative and antispasmodic. Kava is a very effective muscle relaxant. Kava
lactones also have an antiseptic and anesthetic effect on the urinary tract and
bladder and kava has been used successfully to treat urinary tract infections.
The herb is a strong diuretic and this cleansing effect along with its analgesic
properties make it a useful herb in combating arthritic and rheumatic problems
including gout.

But it is Kava’s ability to
deliver a delicious combination of calmness and alertness that has put it on
the list of top selling herbs to combat the major disease of industrialized
society: anxiety. German clinical studies published in 1990 revealed that
kawain, one of the kava lactones, is as effective in relieving anxiety as
benzodiazepene. In large doses Kava produces a type of euphoria and for this
reason it is still touted as an aphrodisiac in the South Pacific.

Until recently, Kava was illegal
in Canada. The Health Protection Branch of Health Canada had some concerns
about the intoxicating properties of the herb. However, bowing to pressure from
herbalists and the public, Kava is now available on the shelves of Costco.

Kava
has proven itself to be a very effective herb to combat stress and anxiety
without the addictive qualities and negative side effects of drugs such as
Valium. However, some cautions should be noted. People taking anti-depressant
or anti-anxiety medications should never use kava. It should not be combined
with alcohol or other recreational drugs. Pregnant or nursing women should not
use it. Although Kava has minimal side effects, long-term use may result in
dry, scaly skin with a yellow pigment. Should this occur users should
discontinue taking the herb immediately. Also, a single, large dose of Kava can
cause intoxication and drowsiness so it is advisable not to drive a car or
operate heavy machinery after taking the herb. The drowsiness that follows
Kava’s initial rush of calm alertness can be a great sleep inducer and some
people find the herb a more effective sleep aid than valerian and certainly a
better option than sleeping pills.

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