Kava-Kava A Possible Solution for Stress and Anxiety Essay

Throughout life, we each experience the anxiety of the unknown and the inevitable stress of our responsibilities combined with our limited supply of time. New technology, a strong economy, and increased competitiveness for jobs in the work force seem to usher in increased stress and anxiety. Although many dismiss this as a natural part of life, the health arena asserts the detrimental side effects of continual stress upon one’s body. In fact, experts attribute almost 60 percent of doctor visits to stress-related ailments, including high blood pressure, arthritis, and cancer (http://www.doctorcass.com/html/kava_book.html). In the past, the only mainstream options for treating excessively harmful stress and anxiety were prescription drugs,†¦show more content†¦In addition, substantiated clinical studies and reviews from peer-reviewed journals must be summoned to validate the value of Kava-Kava as a candidate to fill the role of an alternative to anti-anxiety psychiatric treatments. WHAT IS KAVA-KAVA? Originating from the South Pacific as a favorite drink of the Pacific Islanders, the plant known as Kava-Kava (Pipper Methysticum Forster) is a member of the pepper family. The brownish root of the plant, known as Waka, is sun-dried, ground into powder, and mixed with water to create the therapeutic drink known by the name of the plant, Kava-Kava (http://www.kavakure.com/WHATISKA.htm). Although only recently advertised in the United States, Kava-Kava, also known as awa and yaquona, has been used for thousands of years by Pacific Islanders as a ceremonial drink, social beverage, and therapeutic elixir for relaxation and anti-anxiety. In these cultures, the drink is often drunk by elite chiefs and elders and commonly used for both official and social events, sacred rituals, and for welcoming special guests (http://lavakava.com/aboutkava.htm). However, white man did not discover the drink until Captain Cook’s voyage in 1768-1771 lead to an encounter with Kava at sacred ceremonies (http://lavakava.com/aboutkava.htm). Many years later, in 1995, Killham of Lincoln, Massachusetts finally convinced an American herbal company, Pure World, Inc. to beginShow MoreRelatedThe Pregnancy Anxiety And Tips For Coping With Childbirth Anxiety9776 Words   |  40 PagesAre you having childbirth anxiety especially as the date of the birth draws near? Are you unsure on how to cope with childbirth anxiety? To help understand the cause of childbirth anxiety and tips for coping with childbirth anxiety, I have interviewed psychologist Carol Hicks. Tell me a little bit about yourself. I have a MA degree in Psychology and I have been a Marriage and Family Therapist for 30 years with a specialty in hypnotherapy influenced by Milton Erickson. My ex husband and I wrote