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KAVA-KAVA ROOT ESSENTIAL OIL (CO2) - (PIPER METHYSTICUM) - ESSENTIAL OILS

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BASE / GENERAL DATA

Information submited: September 19, 2016 Modified: March 13, 2018 By: OperaDreamhouse
Botanical Name: Piper methysticum

Botanical Origin: Western Pacific (Vanuatu)

Common Method of Extraction:
CO2 (Extract)

Part Typically Used: Roots.

Color: Bright yellow.

Consistency: Very thick (waxy substance).  With gentle warmth this will become liquid and easy to work with.

Shelf Life: Lengthy

Strength of Initial Aroma:
Soft, warm, earthy scent, rich and somewhat peppery.

Common name: The name kava(-kava) is from Tongan and Marquesan. Kava pepper, yangona.
Hawai - Awa
Samoa - Aava
Fiji - Yaqona
Pohnpei - Sakau
Vanuatu - Malok or Malogu.

Chemical structure: Kava lactones, kawahin, yanoginin, methysticin, glycosides. methysticin 8.0 %, 7,8-dihydromethysticin 7.3 %, d,l kawain 14,4 %, 7,8-dihydrokawain 17.2 %, yangonin 7.0 %, 1,2 desmethoxyyangonin 6.0 %.

Kava-Kava is a traditional herb of the Pacific Islands that has a fascinating and somewhat mysterious history going back over 3000 years. Kava is consumed throughout the Pacific Ocean cultures of Polynesia, including Hawaii, Vanuatu, Melanesia and some parts of Micronesia.

Kava
is a beverage or extract that is made from Piper Methysticum, a plant native to the western Pacific Islands. The name "Kava" comes from the Polynesian word "Awa" which means bitter.

The several cultivars of Kava vary in concentrations of primary and secondary psychoactive alkaloids. The largest number are grown in the Republic of Vanuatu, and so it is recognised as the "home" of Kava. Kava was historically grown only in the Pacific Islands of Hawaii, Federated States of Micronesia, Vanuatu, Fiji, the Samoas and Tonga. Some is grown in the Solomon Islands since World War II, but most is imported Kava is a cash crop in Vanuatu and Fiji.

The Kava shrub thrives in loose, well-drained soils where plenty of air reaches the roots. It grows naturally where rainfall is plentiful. Ideal growing conditions are 21 - 35 °C and 70 - 100% relative humidity. Too much sunlight is harmful, especially in early growth, so Kava is an understory crop.

Kava cannot reproduce sexually. Female flowers are especially rare and do not produce fruit even when hand-pollinated. Its cultivation is entirely by propagation from stem cuttings.

Traditionally, plants are harvested around four years of age, as older plants have higher concentrations of kavalactones. After reaching about 2 m height, plants grow a wider stalk and additional stalks, but not much taller. The roots can reach a depth of 60 cm.

Kava is used for medicinal, religious, political, cultural and social purposes throughout the Pacific. These cultures have a great respect for the plant and place a high importance on it. This practice remained unknown to the rest of the world until James Cook, an English naval captain and explorer, discovered the plant's use in 1777 during one of his voyages in the Pacific Islands.

There are many folk tales about the origin of Kava-Kava, but most rely on a central theme that involves the first plant growing on the grave of someone who had been sacrificed.

Drinking the traditional Kava drink is thought to symbolically turn the drinker into a sacrificial victim. Kava- Kava has traditionally been used and continues to flourish as a ceremonial beverage. We recall stories of Polynesian Islanders sitting around in "Kava Rooms" literally becoming drunk and intoxicated with so much Kava that they fell into a stupor.

New research points to Melanesia as the point of origin, maybe New Guinea or the Solomon Islands. It was first encountered by Europeans in the 18th century during the voyage of Captain Cook, who first recorded the process and ceremony in detail.

According to Cooks account, the root was chewed and then pounded into mulch, which was then mixed with water to produce a brownish bitter beverage that was consumed for its psychoactive properties. Kava-Kava is still used quite frequently today in the Pacific Islands during social gatherings, as well as recreationally.

Whole roots, with the smaller rootlets that tendril from the main shaft being higher in active compounds. Powdered root is its main form for consumption to date. Same people sad that Kava essential oil has the same effect on them as the powder.

Many cases of liver damage and even some deaths have been traced to Kava use. As a result, Kava has been banned from the market in Europe and Canada. This ban has hurt the economies of Pacific Island countries that export Kava. Despite health concerns, Kava has not been taken off the U.S. market.
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SPIRITUAL PRACTISES DATA

Information submited: September 19, 2016 Modified: March 13, 2018 By: OperaDreamhouse
Kava-Kava root CO2 is also used in meditation to help reach a trance state. Improving concentration during meditation.

Kava extracts that contain 70% kavalactones can lower anxiety and might work as well as some prescription anti-anxiety medications.

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MEDICINE / HEALTH DATA

Information submited: September 19, 2016 Modified: March 13, 2018 By: OperaDreamhouse
Therapeutic Properties :

Aphrodisiac
Anxiolytic
Euphoriant
Hypnotic (stress-induced insomnia)
Local anesthetic
Mood elevating
Muscle relaxant
Sedative (mild)
Social lubricant.

Contraindications : Consult a qualified healthcare practitioner before you use if you have liver problems (toxic to the liver) or are taking any medications. It's metabolized by the liver. It is not recommended to use internally. But if you want to use CO2 internally that start with a very low doses.

A hangover effect, visual disturbances, and insightfully vivid dreams have been reported with higher doses. Kava might make Parkinson's disease worse. Do not take Kava if you have this condition. 

Kava affects the central nervous system. It might increase the effects of anesthesia and other medications used during and after surgery. Stop using Kava at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.

Pregnancy / Lactation :
Consult a qualified healthcare practitioner before use in pregnancy or lactation period. There is a concern that it might affect the uterus. Also, some of the dangerous chemicals in Kava can pass into breast milk and might hurt a breast-fed infant.

Children: Consult a qualified healthcare practitioner before use it.

Guidelines: No more than 5% Kava-Kava CO2 with 95% of another carrier oil.

Kava has been the key plant of the traditional medicine of the islands of the South Pacific for centuries. It has been used for a wide range of both Central Nervous System centered and peripheral effects. While the former group of effects, most notably Kava's potential for treating or managing anxiety, stress and depression

As noted in one literature review: "Peripherally, Kava is indicated in traditional Pacific medicine for urogenital conditions (gonorrhea infections, chronic cystitis, difficulty urinating), reproductive and women's health, gastrointestinal upsets, respiratory ailments (asthma, coughs, and tuberculosis), skin diseases and topical wounds, and as an analgesic, with significant subtlety and nuance attending the precise strain, plant component (leaf, stem, root) and preparative method to be used."

Kava today is primarily known for its anxiolytic properties. According to numerous studies, including the recent placebo-controlled clinical trial undertaken at the University of Melbourne Kava could be a safe, non-addictive and effective remedy in treating generalized anxiety disorder and a potentially safer and alternative to tricyclic antidepressants and benzodiazepinesfor the treatment of anxiety disorders.

Kava is also known for having a sleep inducing and potential sleep quality-enhancement effects  and might be an effective remedy for common restlessness and more serious insomnia.

Recent findings suggest that the consumption of Kava might have potential benefits for preventing or treating various forms of cancer, most notably bladder, colon and lung cancer.

Kava is sedating and is primarily consumed to relax without disrupting mental clarity. Its active ingredients are called kavalactones. A systematic review of its evidence by Cochrane concluded it was likely to be more effective than placebo at treating short-term social anxiet. The roots of the plant are used to produce a drink with sedative, anesthetic, euphoriant, and entheogenic properties.

Kava-Kava CO2 contains 70% Kava pyrones, the major constituent known for reducing anxiety, tension, and restlessness and inducing relaxation. It is an excellent addition to relaxing blends and especially massage. Kava CO2 extract to be a great relaxant. Just take a drop with a toothpick under your tongue. Almost like drinking Kava itself. Overall, it is a potent product.

Some people take Kava CO2 by mouth to calm anxiety, stress, and restlessness, and to treat sleeping problems (Insomnia). It is also used for attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder, withdrawal from benzodiazepine drugs, epilepsy, psychosis, depression, migraines and other headaches, chronic fatigue syndrome, common cold and other respiratory tract infections, tuberculosis, muscle pain, and cancer prevention.

Most research shows that taking Kava extracts that contain 70%kavalactones can lower anxiety and might work as well as some prescription anti-anxiety medications.

Most studies have used a specific Kava extract (WS 1490, Dr.Willmar Schwabe Pharmaceuticals). But some inconsistent evidence exists. One reason for the conflicting results may be the duration of treatment. It's possible that treatment for at least 5 weeks is necessary for symptoms to improve. Also, Kava might be more effective in people with severe anxiety, in female patients, or in younger patient

Some people also take Kava by mouth for urinary tract infections, pain and swelling of the uterus, venereal disease, menstrual discomfort, and to increase sexual desire.

Kava is applied to the skin for skin diseases including leprosy, to promote wound healing, and as a painkiller. It is also used as a mouthwash for canker sores and toothaches. CO2 is efective for Neuralgia, particularly of the trifacial nerve, toothache, earache, ocular pain, reflex neuralgia, anorexia, dizziness and despondency, gonorrhoea, chronic catarrhal inflammations, vesical irritation, painful micturition, dysuria.

Unlike the leaves and stems, Kava roots do not contain liver toxins.

Pulverized or powdered Kava root to make a milky drink, liquid herbal extract, capsule, or cut root added to decoction tea.
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BEAUTY / COSMETICS DATA

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FOOD / COOKING DATA

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