News - What do you know about kava extract?

About Kava Extract

Kava extract is based on the root or stem of Piper methysticumG.Forst, and the main active ingredient is kava lactone. Kava pepper is a perennial shrub of the pepper family. In some parts of Africa, the wine made from Kava pepper root are collectively called "Kava" (Kawax). It is one of the more popular herbs used to treat anxiety and is considered to be non-addictive or relatively non-toxic. In 1995, kava pepper became one of the 20 best-selling herbs in Germany, kava extracts and products are sold in numerous food supplyments on supermarket shelves.

Why Kava become popular?

Due to the numerous health benefits of kava, its application in the pharmaceutical industry is increasing. It is usually used as a calming herbal supplement that can help individuals manage stress and anxiety issues. There has been a global shift from synthetic drugs to traditional medicines because herbs are widely believed to be much safer and have no side effects. So the Kava product is reportedly gaining popularity as a nutritional health ingredient among drug manufacturers and health-conscious individuals.

Due to the wide availability and easy use, kava root powder extracts occupy the major kava root extract market share. It is usually soaked in hot water and drink in the form of tea. It is becoming increasingly popular among people as an alternative to regular tea because it has a euphoric feeling and does not contain caffeine, which can help them cope with stress. The powder products in widely used in the personal care and dietary supplement

What is the function of Kava extract?

· Antianxiety

Similar as other traditional neurocalming substances, including valerian, passionflower, balsam and lemon balm, kava pepper also has an effect on gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurotransmitters. GABA is the main controlling neurotransmitter in the central nervous system that slows down brain activity. Although kava piperolactone binds to GABA receptors weakly, it appears to significantly strengthen its binding to other molecules. So kava piperolactone could enhance GABA activity by strengthening the binding of these molecules.

However, the main difference between kava pepper and other common neurocalming substances is that it also has a strong effect on voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSC). VGSC is a channel on the cell membrane and is important for general nerve function. When the sodium channel is open, the electrical signal travels along the nerve, creating a nerve impulse. Kava perolactone appears to block sodium channels, which reduces overall brain and nerve activity. Such effect together with the binding of strengthening molecule to GABA receptors maybe the reason for the anti-anxiety effect of kava pepper.

What is the function of Kava extract?

·Relieve inflammation and anticoagulation

In early 1960s, animal studies began to show that this herb has significant anti-inflammatory effects. This study showed that kava pepper can reduce the inflammatory response caused by exposure to a large number of compounds and UV rays.

Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) is a major inflammatory cell signaling molecule. Some standard drug fixes for autoimmune diseases include controlling TNF-alpha. The kava lactones in kava pepper appear to control TNF-α. Endotoxin is a compound present in the outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria that strongly induces an inflammatory response. After giving mice lethal doses of endotoxin, kava pepper was able to immunize the mice against an inflammatory response that would normally be fatal.

These anti-inflammatory effects also appear to reduce clotting events caused by the inflammatory response. This effect appears to work by controlling the inflammatory response pathway mediated by arachidonic acid-a pro-inflammatory fat.

·Support sleep

Some clinical trials have found that kava pepper helps to optimize insomnia. A pilot study found that both treatments helped. Kava pepper could reduce stress and insomnia