Yolanda Fernandez

Work, the kids, traffic. It seems like we face stress everywhere. More and more, people are turning to a natural remedy called kava kava to relieve anxiety. But this calming herb is causing controversy.
Kava kava grows halfway around the world, on the islands of the South Pacific. For centuries, Polynesians made a drink from this exotic plant to calm the nerves and create a sense of well-being. Now it has crossed the ocean to the U.S.
Debbie Loafman works at Bertha's Health Food Store and takes kava everyday. She says, "To help with stress...being in sales is very stressful." And she says it allows her to work without the groggy feeling of other medications or alcohol. Loafman says,"I found it gives me calmness with clarity without feeling drugged up. You can go about your business and concentrate well."
Her customers share her enthusiasm. Kava kava is becoming so popular; she admits having trouble keeping it on the shelves. According to the Nutrition Business Journal, $15 million of kava were sold in 1996. It predicts sales could reach $50 million this year.
Those figures concern Clara Lawhead, president of Florida's Council for Reliable Health Information. She says," As it's introduced into the American consumers market, there are very little warnings and precautions about overuse of this product."
She points out that in Polynesia, kava kava had cultural restrictions. Traditionally,only a virgin chewed the tough root to prepare the drink. Only men were permitted to imbibe, and only during special occasions. Famous visitors, including President Lyndon Johnson, the Pope, and Hillary Clinton, were offered kava. Americans bypass all the tradition.
Kava's mood-altering effects are available through pills, a few drops, or tea. Lawhead warns, "Kava kava will probably have a good feel for the individual using it and something that feels good is likely to be abused much more frequently than something that doesn't."
Many kava products carry a warning: use caution when driving a motor vehicle or operating heavy machinery. Chronic overuse can cause a scaly, yellowing skin condition, but side effects are rare. Ray C. Wunderlich, M.D. says, "Properly taken, not overboard...very safe, we've seen no problems with it at all."
Wunderlich combines traditional and alternative medicine. He says for patients suffering mild anxiety, he recommends a moderate dosage taken for a limited time. He
Does not believe abuse is a huge problem. Dr. Wunderlich says, "Of course...it
happens. Again, one must give the caveat...beware, beware of self-medication."
Experts agree kava kava, could be dangerous for those suffering from depression or those taking several popular anti-depressants such as Prozac, Xanax or valium. It's not to be mixed with alcohol and it is not recommended for those with Parkinson's disease, pregnant or nursing mothers.
Debbie, who has none of these restrictions, says kava helps her cope, "It helped with physical and emotional relaxation and it does work." She believes in this ancient tropical tonic for modern day stress.



Nutrition Business Journal