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A medicinal league of its own: Exploring the health benefits of kava
PRESENTED BY
MELOMELO KAVA BAR
It then comes as no surprise that Santa Cruz is one of many places that has recently been taken by storm by
kava, a medicinal root being deliciously brewed into the signature concoction of MeloMelo Kava Bar, located Downtown. Aside from the warm buzz and relaxing properties afforded by kava, the Fiji-native drink also boasts numerous health benefits, not known by many.
Read on to learn about the myriad of healing qualities held by this popular libation that’s been enjoyed for years.
The “root” cause
Kava kava, also known as
piper methysticum, is a plant root that has remained common in indigenous Pacific-Islander cultures for many centuries, specifically in Vanuatu. While culturally reserved for ceremonial purposes, recreational consumption of kava has grown to be much more common in recent years, with many users praising its relaxing abilities to reduce stress, anxiety, and even insomnia.
The customary method of consuming kava entails steeping its plant roots in cold water to brew a tea that offers a bold herbaceous flavor. This method also maintains the integrity of kava’s all-natural high, provided by
kavalactones, the phytochemicals in kava which provide its infamous calming properties.
Besides being chalk-full of antioxidants, the kava plant possesses both
basal and lateral roots (referred to as
waka and
lawena in Vanuatu, respectively). The lateral roots are commonly isolated for consumption, due to their higher potency. Traditionally, most consumers report improvement in their brain & cognitive support, in addition to improvements in stress & sleep.
Frequent kava drinkers have praised its relaxing abilities to reduce stress, anxiety, and even insomnia.
(Adobe Stock)
The process of growing kava, which can be both time and labor-intensive, is well worth the approximate four years it takes to fully develop. During this time, the kavalactones become more and more highly concentrated, ensuring the most efficient benefits for the consumer.
In addition to its trademark anti-stress qualities, kava is widely known to serve as an anti-inflammatory,
specifically its plant compound kavain. Moreover, the all-natural euphoria provided by kava’s buzz can serve as a helpful recovery tool from addiction, as it offers a non-addictive high that can take the place of alcohol or marijuana.
Certain studies have also reported kava to possess healing properties for neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease.
Research from 2020 revealed that
piper methysticum showcased a significantly positive response towards reducing oxidative stress and neuroinflammation in neurodegenerative diseases.
Most notably, a chalcone from kava extract known as
Flavokawain has been found to reduce growth of cancer-causing maladies, including
human osteosarcoma cells and
bladder cancer cell lines.
According to Dr. Xiaolin Zi, an Associate Professor of Urology at the University of California, Irvine,
Flavokawain A can influence cell death and a reduction of tumor growth.
“Cigarette smoking is a leading cause of bladder cancer, but in the Pacific islands, where kava is plentiful, the incidence of cancer is low despite high smoking rates. What I’ve been investigating is how kava compounds can prevent bladder cancer in smokers.”
— Dr. Xiaolin Zi, Associate Professor of Urology at the University of California, Irvine
Overall, the kava plant itself boasts countless health benefits that are more than enough to intrigue the average health aficionado. Luckily enough, Santa Cruzans can continue to learn more by heading Downtown to MeloMelo Kava Bar and digest the hype for themselves.
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