Kava root powder

Kava root powder (Premium Fijian) 250g

Kava kava comes from the Piper methysticum plant, which is native to islands of the Pacific Ocean. Traditionally, people made a paste from the plant’s root and mixed it with water or coconut milk to create a drink.

Anti-anxiety effects:

The primary use of kava is reducing stress and anxiety. Research suggests that kava could help treat the symptoms of anxiety disorders.

In a randomized controlled trial (1) from 2013, scientists gave 75 people with anxiety disorders either kava extract or a placebo drug over 6 weeks. 

At the end of the study, they found that kava had a small but significant effect on reducing anxiety symptoms. Aside from headaches, the participants did not report liver problems or other side effects.

The authors suggest that kava could be a useful short-term option for treating anxiety disorders.

A review study from 2011 reports that kava kava may improve stress and anxiety. However, the authors say that more research about the safety and effectiveness is needed before it becomes a recommended therapy.

Sleep-promoting effects:

Kava kava could help induce sleep due to its anxiolytic effects. For this reason, people also use it as an alternative therapy for sleep disorders.

1. https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Kava-in-the-Treatment-of-Generalized-Anxiety-A-Sarris-Stough/12eaf5b8fd6a795d78233d65584ee05de0f67c7b?p2df