brief introduction
synonyms--- kava, awa, ava, yaqona, sakau
kavain(kawain)
chemicalname:2r)-4-methoxy-2-[(e)-2-phenylethenyl]-2,3-dihydropyran-6-one
molecularformula:c14h14o3
mol.wt.:230.26
molecularstructure:

kava kaka,or kava, (piper methysticum) (piper latin for "pepper", methysticumgreek for "intoxicating") is an ancient crop of the south pacific.the word kava is used to refer both to the plant and the beverageproduced from its roots. kava has been used by indigenous people asan intoxicating traditional beverage since ancient times. variouspreparations of kava have been marketed since the 1980s, especiallyin europe and north america to manage mild anxiety, tension, andrestlessness. some reports also indicate that kava preparations mayhave analgesic, spasmolytic, neuroprotective, and antimitoticactivities.
its active ingredients are called kavalactones. to date, 18kavalactones have been identified, among these, six majorkavalactones constitute approximately 95% of the lipid extractderived from the dried roots and rhizomes; these are kavain,dihydrokavain, methysticin, dihydromethysticin, yangonin, anddesmethoxyyangonin.
safety concerns have been raised over liver toxicity largely due tothe use of stems and leaves by supplement makers, as opposed tosolely the root of the plant as dictated by
traditional uses.
the kava kava root extract used in dietary supplements is derivedfrom the roots (not including the stems and leaves) of the plantpiper methysticum.
benefits

? relieves mild to moderate depression
? relieves insomnia and promotes sleep
? mental support
? analgesic and spasmolytic effects (reduces overall sensation ofpain)
? neuroprotective
? antimitotic
? anticancer effects
mechanism

effects of kavalactones include mild sedation, a slight numbing ofthe gums and mouth, and vivid dreams. kava has been reported toimprove cognitive performance and promote a cheerful mood. musclerelaxant, anaesthetic, anticonvulsive and anxiolytic effects arethought to result from direct interactions of kavalactones withvoltage-gated ion channels. research currently suggests thatkavalactones potentiate gabaa activity but do not alter levels ofdopamine and serotonin in the cns. heavy, long-term kava use doesnot cause any reduction of ability in saccade and cognitive testsbut is associated with elevated liver enzymes.
desmethoxyyangonin, one of the six major kavalactones, is areversible mao-b inhibitor (ki 280 nm) and is able to increasedopamine levels in the nucleus accumbens. this finding mightcorrespond to the slightly euphoric action of kava.[10]
kavain, in both enantiomeric forms, inhibits the reuptake ofnoradrenalin at the transporter (nat), but not of serotonin (sert).an elevated extracellular na level in the brain may account for thereported enhancement of attention and focus.
safety

kava kava root extract (solely root, no stem and leaves) issafe.
the kava extracts with stems and leaves are of liver damage.
chronic and heavy use of kava for a period of three months or morehas occasionally been reported to cause a scaly, yellow skin rashand an eye irritation that disappears after discontinuation of theherb.
dosage

? the typical dose is 200-500mg per day (usually in 2-3 dosesthroughout the day).
? consult physicians for different condition specifics.
gni’s kava kava rootextract features and benefits:

kava kava root extract is one of gni"s important products, withmany advantages as list in the following, produced as ourpatent-pending process and know-how technology from pipermethysticum roots only.
? produced with pure water only
? high purity: over 30%
? no solvent - residual free
? pesticide-free
? natural yellow or light yellow-brown in appearance
? high anti-bacteria, and longer shelf life