Kava: From Ethnology to Pharmacology (Medicinal and Aromatic Plants - Industrial Profiles)

Kava is a herb that has for centuries been used for ceremonial, ritual, religious, social, political and medicinal purposes. In the past few decades, the medicinal properties of kava have been recognized in the West and it is now widely marketed as an over-the-counter preparation for the treatment of anxiety, stress, restlessness and sleep disorders. This comprehensive volume describes kava's history, botanical origins, production, marketing, chemical and biological properties of the chemical constituents and the clinical and medical studies that provide evidence for its therapeutic benefits. An invaluable reference to kava, this book will be of great interest to healthcare professionals, scholars, researchers, students, the pharmaceutical industry, and the general public. Kava is an herb that has been used for ceremonial, ritual, religious, social, political, and medicinal purposes for centuries. In the past few decades, kava has been widely marketed as an over-the-counter treatment for anxiety, stress, restlessness, and sleep disorders. Kava: From Ethnology to Pharmacology describes the history, botanical origins, production, economic aspects, and chemical and biological properties of this medicinal herb. A major part of the book focuses on the chemical and pharmacological properties of kavalactones, the psychoactive constituents of kava that reportedly have sedative, anxiolytic, analgesic, local anesthetic, anticonvulsant, and neuroprotective properties. Clinical and medical studies that provide evidence of kava's therapeutic benefits are balanced with an assessment of the known adverse effects and interactions in which kava has been implicated.With contributions from experts in the field, this volume presents a comprehensive view of the traditional aspects of kava and the latest applications for the herb. It is a valuable reference for botanists, phytochemists, toxicologists, physicians, pharmacists, herbalists, and alternative medicine practitioners. Kava is an herb that has been used for ceremonial, ritual, religious, social, political, and medicinal purposes for centuries. In the past few decades, kava has been widely marketed as an over-the-counter treatment for anxiety, stress, restlessness, and sleep disorders. Kava: From Ethnology to Pharmacology describes the history, botanical origins, production, economic aspects, and chemical and biological properties of this medicinal herb. A major part of the book focuses on the chemical and pharmacological properties of kavalactones, the psychoactive constituents of kava that reportedly have sedative, anxiolytic, analgesic, local anesthetic, anticonvulsant, and neuroprotective properties. Clinical and medical studies that provide evidence of kava's therapeutic benefits are balanced with an assessment of the known adverse effects and interactions in which kava has been implicated. With contributions from experts in the field, this volume presents a comprehensive view of the traditional aspects of kava and the latest applications for the herb. It is a valuable reference for botanists, phytochemists, toxicologists, physicians, pharmacists, herbalists, and alternative medicine practitioners 1. An Introduction To Kava Piper Methysticum / Yadhu N. Singh -- 2. History, Folklore, Traditional And Current Uses Of Kava / Lamont Lindstrom -- 3. Kava : Production, Marketing And Quality Assurance / Yadhu N. Singh -- 4. Botany And Ethnobotany Of Kava / Yadhu N. Singh -- 5. Chemistry Of Kava And Kavalactones / Iqbal Ramzan And Van Hoan Tran -- 6. Pharmacology And Toxicology Of Kava And Kavalactones / Yadhu N. Singh -- 7. Kava : Clinical Studies And Therapeutic Implications / Nirbhay N. Singh, Subhashni D. Singh And Yadhu N. Singh. Edited By Yadhu N. Singh. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Used for centuries for ceremonial, ritual, religious, and medicinal purposes, the medicinal properties of kava are gaining recognition in the West. It is now widely marketed as an over-the-counter preparation for the treatment of anxiety, stress, restlessness, and sleep disorders. This volume describes kava's history, botanical origins, production, I can remember the evening gatherings when I was young at my home in the Fiji Islands when kava stock was pounded into powder in wooden mortars with metal rods, and then used in the preparation of the characteristic infusion.