Kava Kava

Working hard means that it is often tempting to turn to herbal supplements as a way to keep balanced. Either to stimulate the body to keep working or to soothe the mind and combat insomnia. One such supplement that has found popularity with its ability to help with insomnia and feelings of anxiety is kava kava.

Used for centuries as a ceremonial drink by the people of the South Pacific, kava kava has in recent years been sought after to the point that before 2002 there were substantial amounts of the aerial parts of the kava plant being exported to North America and Europe for commercial production. The aerial portions of the plant have been identified as having liver damaging properties and are suspected to be the source of suspicion of the herb's link to liver damage.

Growers, such as Kona Kava Farm in Hawaii, konakavafarm.com, have stood by the value of kava kava and still produce traditionally prepared kava kava for use in reducing stress and increasing an overall sense of well-being.

While using care to buy only from trusted sources can reduce the risks associated with with kava, there are still some risks that demand consulting your doctor before you use kava. Known risks include an increase in "off" periods for those with Parkinson's Disease. Talk to your doctor about risks for liver damage and any other conditions before using kava, and do not buy from a source that might use aerial parts of the kava plant in production.