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Kava Root |
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Properties: |
Pungent, bitter, warm, dry |
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Meridians: |
KI,
BL, SP, HT |
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Names:
Ava, Ava Pepper, Ava Root, Awa, Gea, Gi,
Intoxicating Long Pepper, Intoxicating Pepper, Kao, Kava Kava,
Kava-Kava, Kava Pepper, Kava Root, Kavain, Kavapipar, Kawa,
Kawa Kawa, Kawa-Kawa, Kawa Pepper, Kawapfeffer, Kew, Maori
Kava, Malohu, Maluk, Meruk, Milik, Rauschpfeffer, Rhizome Di
Kava-Kava, Sakau, Tonga, Wurzelstock, Yagona, Yangona, Yaqona,
Yongona. Piper methysticum. |
The gnarly root used in making kava comes
from a type of pepper plant that grows up to 12 feet tall. |
Family: Piperaceae.
Functions:
- clears
phlegm and damp stagnation, clears discharge, relieves itchiness
in the lower jiao – vaginal and anal itchiness
- tonify
bladder Qi, harmonize urination, relieves incontinence, UTI’s
- promotes
urination, drains fluids, congestion (edema), relieves pain
- kidney qi
deficiency, kidney fluid stagnation, kidney qi stagnation
- stimulates
digestion, stimulates appetite, relieves constipation
- relieves
anxiety, relieves depression, relaxes muscles, promotes rest.
Also Used For:
Orally, kava is used to treat anxiety disorders, stress, insomnia,
and restlessness. It is also used orally for epilepsy, psychosis,
depression, headaches including migraines, common cold and other
respiratory tract infections, tuberculosis, cancer prevention,
musculoskeletal pain, and bladder cancer.
Kava is also used orally for urinary tract infections (UTIs),
uterine inflammation, venereal disease, menstrual discomfort,
vaginal prolapse, and as an aphrodisiac.
Topically, kava is used for skin diseases including leprosy and to
promote wound healing. It is also used topically as a poultice for
otitis and abscesses, and as a mouthwash for canker sores and
toothaches.
Ceremonially, kava is used as a beverage to induce relaxation.
Caution:
When Kava is used orally, there is mild concern that kava
preparations may induce hepatotoxicity and liver failure in patients
taking relatively normal doses. Kava extracts have been safely
used under medical supervision for up to six months. Long term use
may cause accumulative toxicity with it’s naturally occurring
alkaloids.
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