Insomnia has been with us since the dawn of time and affects the lives of many millions of people across the globe causing mild irritation to some and severely affecting the quality of life for a significant number of us.

Curing insomnia and getting back to night after night of natural sleep can be difficult but, for a large number of people, the answer lies in making use of time-honored traditional herbal remedies such as Kava.

Kava is the name that the Pacific islanders give to both a shrub belonging to the pepper family and a drink made from it. The shrub can be found in abundance primarily in western Polynesia, particularly in Samoa and Tonga, and most of Melanesia, including Fiji. It can also be found on Pohnpei Island, in Micronesia.

People have traditionally prepared kava as a cold tea (an infusion made from straining a mixture of water and shredded and pounded fresh or dried root). One simple method for the preparation of kava tea involves putting two or more heaped teaspoons of kava root for each person into a clean stocking, tying a knot in the stocking and then repeatedly squeezing it in a bowl of cold water.

The tea commonly produces a slight numbing of the tongue and lips initially, followed by mildly euphoric and talkative behavior, a sense of well-being and calm, relaxation and clear thinking. The sleep that is associated with kava is particularly restful and there are no after effects the next day.

Kava can be bought at health food stores as a standardized extract and is a convenient method of anxiety relief as it is fast acting and very potent. You can also buy kava in pill form.
Some vendors also package high-powered Kava mixtures in convenient mini spray bottles. These are handy to keep in a knapsack or purse and are very effective for providing a quick burst of relaxation. Just one or two quick sprays under the tongue can do wonders for tension and a case of the jitters.

If you plan on purchasing the raw root, it is always a good idea to purchase whole, top grade lateral root.

The effective daily dose of kava ranges widely from 70 mg to 200 mg of kavalactones which are recognized as the main biochemical anti-anxiety constituents. For a deep natural sleep it is recommended that you should take a dose of from 150 mg to 200 mg about 20 or 30 minutes before going to bed.

Some concerns have been expressed recently over the safety of Kava after a small number of deaths from liver failure. Because of this France and Switzerland have banned Kava, while Germany has made it available only on prescription. In north America the Center for Disease Control (CDC) has expressed reservations over its use.

Controversy abounds, fuelled by the economic interest of those countries exporting kava and disagreements between the medical profession and supporters of natural medicine. At this time the 'jury is out' and only time will unveil the truth. You should note however that the Tongans have relied heavily on kava for hundreds of years and that it is of great importance within Tongan society.

One side-effect associated with the heavy use of kava is that of kava dermopathy - a scaly eruption of the skin. This vanishes if use is discontinued and is harmless. In the past, Hawaiians drank large quantities of kava to produce just this effect as a way of cleansing the skin and giving themselves a clearer, smoother complexion.

About the Author:

Donald Saunders is the author of a number of health related publications including "Help Me To Sleep - A Guide to Natural Sleep Remedies". To find out more about the use of herbs to promote natural sleep and as a cure for insomnia visit http://helpmetosleep.com/natural-sleep/ today.