[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

Hydrolysis of Polysaccharides

Functional dynamics of the gut microbiome in health and disease

Air date: Tuesday, October 27, 2015, 3:00:00 PM

Category: WALS – Wednesday Afternoon Lectures

Runtime: 01:00:59

Description: NIH Director’s Wednesday Afternoon Lecture Series

Dr. Fraser’s current research interests are focused oncharacterization of the structure and function of the microbial communitiesthat are found in the human environment, as part of the NIH-funded HumanMicrobiome Project, including projects specifically focused on obesity,metabolic syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, the interactions between thehuman immune response and the gut microbiome, and the impact of probiotics onthe structure and function of the intestinal microbiome.

About the annual Rolla E. Dyer lecture:

The annual Rolla E. Dyer Lecture features aninternationally renowned researcher who has contributed substantially to themedical as well as the biological knowledge of infectious diseases. Establishedin 1950, the lecture series honors former NIH director Dr. Dyer, who was anoted authority on infectious diseases.

For more information go to https://oir.nih.gov/wals

Author: Claire Fraser, Ph.D., Professor of Medicine, Microbiology and Immunology; Director, Institute for Genome Sciences; University of Maryland School of Medicine

Permanent link: https://videocast.nih.gov/launch.asp?19272