Kava is also known as Ava Root, Kava Kava, Intoxicating long pepper, Ava Pepper, Kew, Intoxicating pepper and Kao. It is an inherent to South Africa. Captain Cook who was the legendary explorer has given the name “Kava”. Kava tea possesses kava lactones which is a chemical. Kava tea is prepared by grinding the roots and this powder is soaked in hot water to prepare tea. It possesses rhizome components and lactones which provides various health benefits. The presence of lactones relieves mood swings and anxiety.
Health benefits of Kava Tea
Kava tea could be found in the form of liquids, tablets, soft gels, capsules and tinctures. The health benefits provided by the Kava Tea are:
1. Good for anxiety and stress
Kava tea helps to relieve the anxiety and stress. It should be consumed as long as 8 weeks to see the results. It is clinically proven that kava kava alleviate anxiety with the presence of benzodiazepines by lowering the release the stress hormones in the blood stream and normalizing the hormonal activities. The presence of kavalactones in the kava tea helps to enhance sound sleep by relieving stress, tension, anxiety, discomforts and pain. The intake of kava tea helps to relax the mind, control appetite and enhances weight loss. It also lowers the hair loss and hair fall. It also assists to quit the cigars, cigarette and alcohol. It prevents the symptoms of ADHD such as stress, anxiety, attention deficiency, hyperactivity, tension and forgetfulness.
2. Analgesic properties
Kava tea helps to alleviate the muscle spasms and pain. It helps to get rid of severe pain.
3. Menopause aid
Menopause leads to hot flashes, frequent mood swings and discomfort feelings. Kava tea helps to alleviate the symptoms and enhances the sound hormonal health. The daily intake of Kava tea helps to get rid of the symptoms of menopause such as irritability and mood swings.
4. Calm Hyperactive Children
It helps to calm the hyperactive children. The nerve soothing properties in the Kava tea helps to calm the hyperactive nerves.
5. Cancer Prevention
Kava tea possesses cancer preventing properties which helps to treat the cancer. More research is still needed.
6. Stroke Recovery
The consumption of kava tea by the stroke patients helps to recover the effects and also restrict the convulsive effect by reducing the risk of stroke recurrence. It helps them to recover very fast.
7. Beneficial for Kidney problems
Kava tea helps to treat kidney ailments. The kidney patients should intake a cup of Kava tea daily to prevent the dangerous problems.
8. Aid for Body Building
The diuretic properties found in kava tea help to eradicate the excess water from the body as it is a hazard for body building.
9. Sore throat
Kava tea also possesses antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties which help to alleviate the problems of cold, cough, infections of respiratory tract and sore throat.
10. Toothache
Kava tea has the nerve soothing properties. The daily intake of 1-2 cups of kava tea relieves the toothache caused due to cavity or after the dental surgery.
11. Urinary tract infections
It also possesses antifungal and antibacterial properties which help to alleviate the bladder infections. It alleviates the bacteria and germs from the bladder and also treats UTI and other infections of bladder.
12. Anaesthetic
The numbing property of kava lowers the numb sensations in the body parts for a short period of time. It is used to numb sensation of pain in the aching body parts and after it is chewed the tongue is numbed for some time.
Different methods of making kava tea
Method I- The Kava Tea Powder
Kava tea powder could be brought from the local health food stores. The good brand name should be purchased as different types of Kava are available. Mix the powder in the water. Strain the root powder before drinking. Those who want extra fiber can leave it unstrained. Then add Kava powder to the drink according to the taste. The addition of more amount of kava powder makes a more effective drink.
Method II- The Strainer Method
Mix the kava powder to the water thoroughly. Leave it for 10 minutes. You can also use blender. Then strain kava with the use of strainer.
Method III- The Kneading Method
Firstly take a shallow bowl and fill it with three cups of water. A square cloth should be placed inside the bowl. The clean cloth should be placed kava power to the desired quantity. Then the Kava powder should be kneaded in water. The powder should not escape to the bowl. The straining cloth should be pulled out and then squeeze the liquid a much as possible.
Method IC- Kava Teabags
Kava tea bags are easy method to prepare the tea. One can prepare the kava tea by using the tea bags as:
- The boiling water should be pored over 1-2 tea bags.
- The bags should be allowed to steep for 5-10 minutes.
- The use of cool water is suggested because kava lactones could be lowered by the water which is heated more than 140 degree Fahrenheit.
Precautionary tips
The herb can react to some medications or supplements. One should consult an expert supervision before consuming the herbs. The pregnant and lactating women are not recommended to use the kava tea. Those who are going to have surgery also should avoid the drinking of this tea because it can extend the anaesthesia impact.
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