Using Kava Kava To Treat Anxiety - written by Zinn Jeremiah

Stress may be the most common condition in western society. The word stress is a common part of most people's vocabulary, and everyone has experienced stress at some point or other. The reasons for stress are numerous and vary among different people, but every adult has responsibilities to tend to and such responsibilities can sometimes be overwhelming. There's also the reality of dealing with everyday life in modern society. Times aren't as simple as they once were, and that in itself may be a stressor. However it may appear, stress is generally viewed in very negative terms and thus people want to get rid of it quickly when it comes around.

A growing number of people have become committed to using what are thought of as natural treatments for various disorders. Natural in this case is often seen as something that doesn't originate from a pharmaceutical company, or something that organically appears in nature. Those who advocate using treatments that are sometimes referred to as natural say these sorts of treatments operate more in harmony with the human body than a treatment produced under controlled conditions; in addition, some people consider natural treatments to have less potential toxic effects than manufactured treatments may.

The desire to go natural has also found its way into anxiety treatment. A plant known as Kava Kava is increasingly being sold and used for the treatment of an anxious condition. Kava Kava grows naturally in regions of the South Pacific, and the peoples there have been using Kava Kava for generations. Over time, Kava Kava has been used in religious ceremonies, as well as a treatment for muscle tightness and sleep difficulties. The ingredient used for treatment is found in the root of the Kava Kava plant, and studies have suggested a correlation between this active ingredient and enhanced mood. To be specific, Kava Kava is thought to have an effect on particular brain chemicals and to have a relaxing effect.

Though on its face Kava Kava may sound like an appealing treatment for anxiety, there are reports of Kava Kava usage being linked to severe liver damage. In fairness, there is not yet comprehensive evidence that minimal dosages of Kava Kava itself damage the liver. There are those who claim the liver damage effects sometimes coinciding with Kava Kava usage are actually the effects of other causes, such as alcoholism. Whether there is an actual link or not, the reports of Kava Kava leading to liver damage reminds us that not everything that occurs in nature is good for us. It's also worth noting that there are anxiety treatments beyond Kava Kava that have long track records for not only being effective against anxiety, but also being safe to use.