Even Prince Harry has sipped it!
– by
Kathryn Lewsey
If you’ve been to Fiji and had a sip, or you’re a health nut who loves to treat medical problems with natural remedies, you’ve probably heard of Kava! For those who have no idea what I’m talking about, it’s is an ancient, natural medicine that is grown in the Pacific Islands— and even Prince Harry has tried it!
Having been consumed by locals for centuries, the crop boasts many benefits and is often regarded as an effective and fast-acting treatment for anxiety, especially in Western herbal medicine. Kava capsules work a treat for people who find themselves stressed, anxious or worried for no particular reason. It’s also effective for people who battle insomnia or struggle to sleep through the night.
But perhaps the best part about Kava is the fact that it is a natural remedy, meaning you needn’t worry about any potentially harmful chemicals being added to the mix! Phew!
Before you consider dabbling in it, here’s everything you need to know about the plant-based relaxant!
WATCH: The Duke and Duchess of Sussex attend a Fijian Kava ceremony
Kava’s history
Traditionally used for ceremonies and cultural practices, Kava’s ancient origins trace back at least 3,000 years. It’s made from the root or stump of the kava shrub known as plant Piper methysticum which is part of the pepper family. The root is then crushed, grounded or powered and soaked in water, before being drunk. Now that the medical benefits of Kava are more widely known, it’s also sold in capsules.
The benefits
Scientific research and dozens of trials have proven that there are numerous benefits to consuming Kava. In 2008 and 2009, Professor Sarris carried out a hefty clinical trial which proved that the consumption of Kava significantly reduced anxiety and stress in patients who took it every day. In 2015, Professor Sarris also conducted trials which proved there was no sign of issues/toxicity to the liver when using water-extracted kava.
What does kava do to your body when you take it?
Even though there is no alcohol in Kava, some experts suggest that it can produce similar symptoms to drunkenness! However, in small doses, the effects include:
- Muscle relaxation
- Sleepiness
- Feelings of wellbeing
- Mild loss of feeling in the throat and mouth
- Appetite loss.
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There were a few false findings that banned the natural remedy from being sold in Australia
In the early 2000s, medical kava was a booming industry, with imports of kava making hundreds of dollars. Quickly becoming the new craze, dozens of bars opened in Australia and the US, serving Kava as an alternative to the boozy nights of alcohol that Westerners typically turn to when unwinding!
But, false and inaccurate findings led to the natural medicine’s downfall, with claims surfacing that Kava was linked to liver failure. By 2007, there was a total ban of kava in Western Australia, while other states had import restrictions.
Several organisations challenged the negative findings, including the World Health Organisation, which deemed kava as presenting an ‘acceptably low level of health risk’.
Thankfully, by 2017, the ban was lifted and to many people’s delight, kava has slowly begun making a resurgence into the western world.
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The arrival of Fiji Kava
In exciting news, Australians can now reep the benefits of noble kava via capsules and tea bags launched by Fiji Kava. After 13 years of medicinal research into the remedy, the brand Fiji Kava has now created kava products that provide every relaxing benefit the root has to offer!
What’s more, Fiji Kava has achieved a world-first with its tissue culture laboratory, where noble kava will be grown to scale production, while maintaining quality and consistency.
In Australia, the products are listed as complementary medicine and are both TGA and FDA compliant. They can be consumed in capsule form or as tea, available in peppermint and chamomile flavours. Further afield, in New Zealand and the USA, the products are classified as a dietary supplement. There, the products are available as an instant powder or a flavoured shot.
With modern life being more demanding than ever before, issues such as anxiety, stress and insomnia are at an all-time high. Fiji Kava hopes to help fix these problems, providing a natural, traditional remedy that has been medically proven to relax and calm both the body and mind.
So there you have it! And now it’s time to get your hands on it!
