|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
.
|
|
||
|
"It's all right now; in fact, it's a gas." --The Rolling Stones The advent of Ole Miss Fall session reminds me of the anticipation preceding a Rolling Stones concert. Hordes of people from several generations and every walk of life descend upon a tiny geographical space which seems incapable of accommodating them and their expectations. Everyone wants to get what they want. Pressures mount as show time nears and folks search for their place. All of them want to feel even better. Mother nature's little helpers can be the answer. I could go on and on about Kava, my first choice. However I've become rather fond of some other natural stress relieving remedies in _cluding Scullcap, Blue Vervain, Reishi Mushroom, and Wood Betony. According to A Modern Herbal by M. Grieve, Scullcap "has a strong tonic , nervine and antispasmodic action. In hysteria...its action is invaluable. In nervous headache and pain, it offers one of the most suitable and reliable remedies. Blue Vervain is a nervous system tonic. Dr. Edward Bach, of Bach Flower remedies, says "The typical Vervain patient is one who has an intense attitude towards life...strong-willed, enthusiastic, and generally not able to relax...causing themselves much strain." Blue Vervain carries the nickname "Muskogee Valium" and first gained prominence in medical literature during the Revolutionary War. It is still revered by Indian practitioners as a nervine and antispasmodic. Dr. Terry Willard, director of herbal studies in Canada states,"Reishi Mushroom protects the academic from his/her own brain." And goes on to say that Reishi regulates the immune, lowers blood pressure and cholesterol, alleviates insomnia, strengthens the heart & lungs, also diminishing asthma, allergies and bronchitis. He calls it an herb of spiritual potency and medical wonder. Wood Betony has a long history of use for anxiety-induced headaches dating back to the Greeks and Romans. I like taking Wood Betony at bedtime when I feel stress building. For the past three years Kava Kava root from Vanuatu has been my favorite remedy for the crossfire hurricane of back to school frenzy. An old proverb from Fiji states, "No problem can outlast a Kava session." |
And its easy to see why. In double-blind studies this herb is reportedly as effective for anxiety as pharmaceuticals in the Serax (Xanax) and Diazepam (Valium) families without the side effects of diminished mental acuity or motor skills (taken as directed). And Kav 'a is not addicting. Other characteristics of good Kava include a mild muscle relaxing effect. You may stop clenching your jaw and wringing your hands, or the pinch in your brow may melt. Peter Holmes, author of Jade remedies, says Kava has a long history of use in China as a urinary tract tonic. In addition it can be a marvelous pain reliever. In its South Pacific home Kava has been used for centuries at welcoming ceremonies, celebrations, council meetings, and socializing. Photographs of the Pope and other notables enjoying Kava were printed in Herbal Gram (issue #39) along with pages of reliable information. Herbal Gram is the journal published by the American Botanical Council & Herb Research Foundation. To learn more about Kava you can check out two books at the Lafayette County Library: Kava hunting in paradise an adventuresome book by the minister of Kava trade, or Kava the Pacific Elixir, which is a more clinical book. Keep in mind that ther e are many varieties of Kava, and that the older roots are more potent, desirable, and more expensive. The best Kava I've sampled has come from Vanuatu and Samoa (in that order). I like them because they are relaxing and uplifting--never leaving me drowsy, even when I'm sleep deprived. Kava is surging in popularity around the globe, so many forms are available now including capsules, teas, tinctures, and even chips (which visually resemble Fritos, but taste like dried Elmers' paste). At the 1998 International Herb Symposium in Boston Kava punch was served rather than alcohol. I relished the congenial mood it created. Kava punch is made with a coconut milk or pineapple base usually, and it doesn't look very appetizing. Since Kava is an oily extract, it doesn't dissolve nicely and appears to be curdled. Liquid Kava extracts are faster acting and more potent, but have a temporary numbing effect. So most extract users aim the dropper at the backs of their throats. Squeamish folks should avoid the stout alcohol base extracts, and give the sweet glycerine extracts a whirl. Don't be dismayed if the glycerine extract looks cloudy. It's another result of the oil-based extract. Also sometimes you'll see crumbs of the root in the bottom of the bottles. This is normal, even preferable to Kava lovers--sort of like the worm in tequila. Whatever form you may try, Kava enthusiasts agree that it is a happily acquired taste. (Shadoobee!) |
|
|
2000 Gail Doorenbos. All rights reserved. |
||