[Latin Name]  Piper methyicium L.

[Specification] Kavalactones ≥30.0%

[Appearance] Yellow powder

Plant Part Used: Root

[Particle size] 80Mesh

[Loss on drying] ≤5.0%

[Heavy Metal] ≤10PPM

[Storage] Store in cool & dry area, keep away from the direct light and heat.

[Shelf life] 24 Months

[Package] Packed in paper-drums and two plastic-bags inside.

[Net weight] 25kgs/drum

[What is Kava?]

Kava, also known as piper methysticum, kava kava, and ‘awa, is a small shrub native to the islands in the South Pacific. The root and stems are made into a non-alcoholic, psychoactive beverage that has been used socially and ceremonially for hundreds of years in Hawaii, Fiji, and Tonga.

Kava is traditionally prepared by placing ground root and stem into a porous sack, submerging in water, and squeezing the juice into a large, carved, wooden bowl. Coconut half-shell cups are dipped and filled — punch bowl style. After drinking a cup or two a feeling of heightened attention combined with relaxation begins to come on. Although it is soothing, it is unlike alcohol in that thoughts remain clear. The flavor is largely inoffensive, but some find that it takes getting used to; it really depends on your preference for earthy flavors.

[Kava is Safe to Use]

The safe and effective benefits of kava to relieve symptoms of anxiety were also supported in a meta-analysis, a systematic statistical review of seven human clinical trials published in 2000 in the Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology, and again in a similar critical review in 2001. The reviews did not find significant adverse effects related to liver toxicity.

In conclusion, the liver is affected by many substances, including prescription and non- prescription drugs, as well as alcohol, which is a major cause of liver damage. We must be aware that herbs are potent medicines, to be treated with the appropriate respect regarding potential interactions and toxicity, including to the liver. On the other hand, Kava kava’s margin of safety far surpasses that of it’s pharmaceutical equivalent.

[Function]

Kava’s can help offset a number of problems, most notably stress, anxiety, and disrupted sleep patterns. However, kava’s anxiolytic (anti-panic or anti-anxiety agent) and calming properties can offset many other stress and anxiety related ailments.

1. Kava as a Therapy for Anxiety
2. Kava May Remedy Menopausal Mood Swings

3. Weight Loss

4. Combat Premature Aging

5. Quit Smoking Aid

6. Combat pain as an analgesic

7. Insomnia

8. Depression

(7 Jul 2016) LEAD IN:
There’s a sweet spot growing in southern Spain’s Andalucia region.
Many farmers are now turning to Stevia – a plant that is widely being used as a natural sugar substitute.
While the Spanish industry is seeing new trading and processing companies beginning to emerge, there’s still several hurdles to overcome.

STORY-LINE:
Around 200 times sweeter than sugar and with a slight taste of licorice – this is Stevia.
Used widely as a sugar substitute, stevia is a fast growing plant that thrives in Malaga’s unique tropical weather.
Farmer Sergio Martin is busy cultivating the latest crop of plants in Malaga.
He and many other farmers are turning away from traditional agriculture and growing stevia instead because of the higher returns.
“Before I sowed my tomatoes, pepper, onion, potatoes… But the future of that kind of agriculture is very dark. So, I have chosen to change to another type of agriculture, to stevia. Because, it’s a plant that does not store pests. It has three harvest seasons per year. Now it’s four years since we seeded it and there is no need to seed it again. So, it’s more affordable, in the sense of being able to maintain it without big costs,” explains Martin.
The compound extracted from stevia is unique among other food ingredients because it doesn’t contain calories and it’s secure for diabetics because it doesn’t affect insulin levels.
Once stevia leaves are dry, they must be boiled in order to extract the sweetener (Steviol glycoside), also known as compound E-960.
In 2010, Granada University botany lecturer Jose Luis Rosua set up technology company SteviGran (acronym for Stevia and Granada) to process the leaves.
He explains the process: “We receive kilograms of dried leaf. Then we begin to boil it in order to extract its compounds. Obviously, after the first boil we get a product with these features (while holding a jar full of dark liquid extracted from Stevia plant) that does not have European Union authorisation. So, we must purify it. There are different stages during the purification process – micro, ultra and nano filtration – until we achieve a purified product like this (while holding a jar full of liquid that looks like water). This purified product can be sold diluted, as long as it has 95 percent steviol (glycoside). Or it’s normally sold as stevia pure powder.”
SteviGran processes pure stevia powder and turns it into pills to be used as a sugar alternative.
Jams, chocolates, even beer are some products that includes this natural sweetener from the Stevia plant.
With more consumers worried about calorie intake and the effects of sugar and artificial sweeteners, many are turning to stevia.
Some worldwide food companies as Coca-Cola Company and PepsiCo have launched several drinks flavoured with stevia.
However, stevia isn’t as perfect as it sounds. Some chefs say it is difficult to work with as it doesn’t always mix well with other ingredients. It can also be hard to counteract its peculiar licorice flavour in certain recipes.
Some nutritionists are also calling for more scientific work on the impact and effects of stevia on the human body.
Professor José Miguel Mulet from the Agricultural Engineering and Natural Environment school at the Polytechnic University of Valencia says there is a lot of misinformation about stevia.
In the European Union, stevia leaf is not recognized as food product and farmers are not allowed to sell the plant or leaf to herbalists.
It is classified only as a raw material to obtain the sweetener.
In November 2011, the European Union legalized the sweetener extracted from the stevia plant, the steviol glycoside known as E-960, as a new food, but not the Stevia as a plant.

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2001 STEVIA TESTING, WATER WASHING TO EXTRACT SOLUBLES. FIRST & SECOND PRESSING, AS-HARVESTED vs SHREDDED.