Everything Herbal - Main Page - PS-Survival.com

Specific Vitamins, Herbs, Medications
with the water. Let steep (cool) for at least one hour, overnight would be good. A suggested use would be 4 ounces
of the tea up to 4 times a day.
There are also capsules and pills available.
Kava Kava, Latin Named: Piper methysticum is appropriately used for anxiety and as an antispasmodic. It is also
used for Urinary pain and for irritation of the urinary tract such as interstitial cystitis. It is used in combination with
other herbs for Fibromyalgia.
Some Contraindications include: Long term use may cause bizarre skin lesions and plating and can produce cognitive
problems. Avoid use when taking barbiturates and alcohol (will potentiate the sedating effects). May interfere with
driving or motor skills because of the sedating effect. There is a strong potential for herb-drug interaction with
antihistamines, antispasmodics, etc. Plants picked to young may cause gastric upset. Kava is psychologically
addicting
From the Natural Pharmacist Website, www.tnp.com
Safety Issues
When used appropriately, Kava appears to be safe. Animal studies have shown that dosages of up to 4 times that of
normal cause no problems at all, and 13 times the normal dosage causes only mild problems in rats. A study of 4,049
people who took a rather low dose of Kava (70 mg of kavalactones daily) for 7 weeks found side effects in 1.5% of
cases. These were mostly mild gastrointestinal complaints and allergic rashes. A 4-week study of 3,029 individuals
given 240 mg of kavalactones daily showed a 2.3% incidence of basically the same side effects. However, long-term
use (months to years) of Kava in excess of 400 mg kavalactones per day can create a distinctive generalized dry,
scaly rash called "Kava dermopathy." It disappears promptly when the Kava use stops. One case report suggests
that a Kava product might have caused liver inflammation in a 39-year-old woman. However, because the product
was not analyzed, it isn't clear whether Kava itself or a contaminant was responsible; the authors also could not rule
out other causes of liver inflammation. Kava does not appear to produce mental cloudiness. Nonetheless, we wouldn't
recommend driving after using Kava until you discover how strongly it affects you. It makes some people quite
drowsy. Contrary to many reports in the media, there is no evidence that Kava actually improves mental function. Two
studies are commonly cited as if to prove this, but actually there was only one study performed: It was described in two
separate articles. This tiny study found that Kava does not impair mental function; however, it doesn't show that Kava
improves it. A slight improvement was seen on a couple of tests, but it was statistically insignificant (too small to mean
anything). High doses of Kava are known to cause inebriation. For this reason, there is some concern that it could
become an herb of abuse. There have been reports of young people trying to get high by taking products they thought
contained Kava. One of these products, fX, turned out to con
tain dangerous drugs but no Kava at all. European physicians have not reported any problems with Kava addiction.
One study suggests that Kava does not amplify the effects of alcohol. However, there is a case report indicating that
Kava can increase the effects of other sedatives. For this reason, Kava should not be taken with alcohol, prescription
tranquilizers or sedatives, or other depressant drugs. Kava should also not be combined with antipsychotic drugs or
drugs used for Parkinson;s disease, due to the risk of increased problems with movement. The German Commission
E monograph warns against the use of Kava during pregnancy and nursing. Safety in young children and those with
severe liver or kidney disease has not been established.
Transitioning from Medications
If you're taking Xanax or other drugs in the benzodiazepine family, switching to Kava will be very difficult. You must
seek a doctor's supervision, because withdrawal symptoms can be severe and even life-threatening. Additionally, if
you are taking Xanax on an "as needed" basis to stop acute panic attacks, Kava cannot be expected to have the same
rapidity of action. It is easier to make the switch from milder Antianxiety drugs, such as BuSpar, and antidepressants.
Nonetheless, a doctor's supervision is still strongly advised.
Interactions You Should Know About
If you are taking Medications for insomnia or anxiety such as benzodiazepines; do not take Kava in addition to them.
Antipsychotic drugs: Kava might increase the risk of a particular side effect consisting of sudden abnormal
movements, called a dystonic reaction. Levodopa for Parkinson's disease: Kava might reduce its effectiveness.
If you cannot find a quality source in your area we would be glad to talk to you about the brands we carry in our store,
please call we mail order everyday.
ST JOHNS WORT
QUESTION: have there been any studies regarding the use of St.. john's wort for children suffering post-traumatic
stress syndrome ( or as an alternative to Prozac anti-depressants currently being prescribed for children)? I have
grave concerns for the developing brain chemistry and the Prozac or clone chemicals alteration of same. any direction
you can point me to would be greatly appreciated. I thank you for your time and attention.
ANSWER: St Johnswort has been tested as effective as Prozac for mild to moderate depression in adults. I don't
know of any studies of the herbs use an children, but would say if prozac is being used for them, St Johnswort might
be a better choice. Camomile and Catnip are also two great children herbs for settling nerves and tummies, when
upset or with cold and flu. You might want to start with them.
http://www.herbnet.com/ask%20the%20herbalist/asktheherbalist_questions%20on%20specifics.htm (21 of 46) [5/17/2004 9:08:17 AM]