The root is used both for the drink and, in dried form, for a relaxing herbal supplement mostly for export.  Currently, kava is used in Europe and increasingly in the United States to counteract stress, anxiety, and insomnia.  But kava is turning out to be increasingly popular, as in the South Pacific, simply as a natural high. 

Research shows that kava  often works just as well as the benzodiazpines.  Unlike these prescription drugs, however, you don’t need to keep increasing the dose to get the same effect, there are no withdrawal problems when you stop taking it and a low daytime dose will relax you without making you sleepy.  In fact, kava can actually enhance concentration.  Research  shows that, on a work recognition test, it improves reaction time and performance.

This makes it easy to use for specific anxiety-producing situations such as a job interview or a final exam, where you want to be both calm and alert.  In higher doses, kava is a natural sleep enhancer.  Unlike benzodiazepines, though, it does not suppress REM (rapid eye movement, which occurs during dreaming) sleep, essential to our emotional, mental, and physical well-being.  And there’s no morning hangover, either.

WHY KAVA IS BETTER THAN ALCOHOL     

Like alcohol, kava can help you relax and ease social interactions.  But, of the two, only kava allows you to maintain a clear mind, with no hangover.

As novelist and travel writer Paul Theroux says in The Happy Isles of Oceania:

No one ever went haywire and beat up his wife after bringing on yanggona [kava].  No one ever staggered home from a night around the kava bowl and thrashed his children, or insulted his boss, or got tattooed, or committed rape.  The usual effect after a giggly interval was the staggers and then complete paralysis.

After the first two hours of use, alcohol can make you nervous and shaky.  Kava in contrast, is calming.  One four-week study of patients with anxiety found that participants experienced dramatic improvements in their symptoms after just one week of kava use, with improvement continuing through week four.  In the largest (101 participants) and longest (twenty-five weeks) study to date, German researcher H.P. Volz and colleagues demonstrated that kava provided significant relief of anxiety versus the placebo, or “dummy” pill, and with minimal side effects.

HOW KAVA WORKS 

Kava actually promotes relaxation in two different ways—by acting on the limbic system, which is the emotional center of the brain, and directly on muscles.  The muscle-relaxing effects make it particularly useful in treating headaches, backaches, and other tension-related pain. 

The active ingredients are the kavalactones, taken from the powdered lateral roots of the plant.  Since they are fat-or-lipid-soluble, they don’t dissolve in water but form an emulsion of oil and water in the traditional drink.

Kava is selectively cultivated for specific effects:  Certain combinations of the cultivars are more relaxing, others more stimulating, and still others more intoxicating.  These cultivars are prized for their ability to alter consciousness in various ways.  They are generally kept for island use while the rest are exported, much as vintners will hold on to their prized vintages.

Kava’s specific effect on neurotransmitters is not entirely clear.  It appears, though, that in keeping with its relaxant effects, it enhances the receptivity of the brain’s GABA receptors.  Unlike alcohol, it neither disturbs blood-sugar balance nor reduces endorphin levels.

HOW MUCH SHOULD YOU TAKE?

Kava is available in various forms—tablets, capsules, and tinctures, and even in sprays.  The taste is quite strong, so most people prefer tablets or capsules.  The recommended daily adult dose is 60-75 mg of kavalactones, taken two to three times daily.  This is equivalent to 200-250 mg of standardized extract containing 30 percent kavalactones, 100-150 mg of 55 percent extract, or 100 mg of a 75 percent extrat.  As a sedative to aid sleep, the dose is two to three times that amount.  For getting high and chilling out, the dose is quite individual—somewhere between the relaxing and sedating doses, generally twice the dose used to help you sleep.

All these numbers may be confusing, but remember, herbs are extracted from natural plants, not manufactured, and the markers (kavalactones, in this case) are given as a percentage of the whole extract.  Conveniently, most capsules or tablets are in the range of 60-75 mg  of kavalactones each.  Then,  your dose is an individual matter, depending on your own chemistry.  Don’t be too concerned with the exact numbers.  Rather, start with one capsule and observe your response.  Then you can adjust accordingly.  Another warning:  the first time or two after taking kava, some people feel a little groggy, so just in case, start on a weekend or evening when you don’t have to be fully alert.  After a few doses, your body gets used to the sensation, and you will probably feel wonderfully relaxed but alert.  Of course, if you are using it to zone out, just let it happen.

The tinctures are rather bitter, an acquired taste.  The will also numb the inside of your mouth for the first few minutes.  An advantage to tinctures is the rapid onset.  Taken straight, the liquid is quickly absorbed in the mouth and into the bloodstream before you even swallow.  If your prefer, you can take the tincture in fruit juice to cover the taste.

KAVA SAFETY

Taken in these typical doses, kava has only mild side effects—occasional skin rashes in sensitive individuals, headache, or mild stomach upset.   Chronic high-dose use on the islands (500-2,500 mg of kavalactones every day for years at a time) will sometimes cause a scaly yellow skin rash called “kava dermopathy.”  It disappears after intake of the herb is stopped.

Despite its excellent past safety record, kava has recently come under the scrutiny of the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which is acting on reports from Europe that kava may damage the liver.  Based on these reports, the U.K. has withdrawn sales of kava products pending further investigation.  Closer examination of the German and U.S. reports reveals that the vast majority of cases involved the concomitant use of hepatotoxic (liver) drugs and/or alcohol.  Furthermore, a clinical study from Duke University showed no adverse effects from kava on the liver.  The fact is, you are far likelier to suffer from liver damage by taking the prescription antianxiety drug Valium, yet it is taken my millions daily with little question—and with no major adverse publicity.  The over-the-counter pain medication acetaminophen (Tylenol) also has a high incidence of liver toxicity, responsible for 141 deaths in the United States in 1999 and the leading cause of liver failure in Western countries.

Based on the limited information made available to date, we recommend that consumers of kava should consider the following cautions:

* Kava should not be used by anyone who has liver problems, is taking any drug product with known     adverse effects on the liver, or is a regular consumer of alcohol.

* Since the reports so far are associated with chronic use, kava should not be taken on a daily basis for more than the German Commission E’s recommendation of three months.

*  Discontinue use if symptoms  of jaundice (e.g., dark urine, yellowing of the eyes) occur.

*  Do not exceed the recommended maximums fo 125 mg kavalactones per tablet or capsule, 3 g of dried rhizome per tea bag, and 250 mg kavalactones total per day for all forms.

*  Kava should not be taken with alcohol or other sedatives because they potentiate each other (that is, they increase each other’s potency).  You should never drive after using kava in higher doses.  There have already been a few arrests for erratic driving under the influence.

*  Because high doses can cause intoxication, there is concern that kava could become an herb of abuse.  There have been media reports of young people trying to get high by taking products that they thought contained kava.  Exploiting its exotic appeal, people distributed bottles of a product called “fX” and promoted it as kava at a 1996 Los Angeles New Year’s Eve celebration.  There were hundreds of adverse reactions, widely reported in the press as “due to kava.”  Unfortunately, less attention was paid a few weeks later when the police report revealed that fX contained a highly toxic industrial chemical called 1,4-butanediol—and absolutely no kava.

In conclusion, be aware that herbs are potent medicines and should be treated with appropriate respect regarding  interactions with potential toxicity, including toxicity to the liver.  However, kava’s margin of safety still far surpasses that of its pharmaceutical equivalents.

KAVA

How it works:  Calms the limbic system, the emotional center of the brain; relaxes muscles, likely through an indirect action on GABA receptors. 

Positive effects:  Relaxes mind, emotions, and muscles, making it useful for headaches, backaches, and other tension; reduces excessive mental chatter; increases mental focus; expands overall awareness; no habituation tolerance; addiction, or hangover.

Cautions:  Do not drive or operate heavy machinery after use.  Do not mix with alcohol or benzodiazepines, as these substances seem to potentiate each other.  Do not take while pregnant or nursing.

Dosage:  As a relaxant, 60-75 mg of kavalactones two to three times daily.  As a bedtime sedative, 60-250 mg of kavalactones about 30 minutes before bedtime.

-Natural highs : supplements, nutrition, and mind-body techniques to help you feel good all the time / [Hyla Cass and Patrick Holford].

Use these charts to find the nutrient contents of your favorite fruits, nuts and vegetables.

Minerals | Vitamins | Fruits | Vegetables | Nuts & Seeds

Vitamins are organic food substances found only in living things, i.e. plants and animals. They are essential for our bodies to function properly, for growth, energy and for our general well-being. With very few exceptions the human body cannot manufacture or synthesize vitamins. They must be supplied in our diet or in man-made dietary supplements. Some people believe that vitamins can replace food, but that is incorrect. In fact, vitamins cannot be assimilated without also ingesting food. That is why it is best to take them with a meal. Synthetic vitamin supplements can be of varying quality, so it is a good idea to get your supplements from a reliable source.
 
Note that I have listed only those foods which contain the listed vitamins in significant quantities. The are listed in descending order by nutrient quantity. For more detailed information, please visit the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food & Nutrition Center.
 
Nutrient -
Daily Amount Needed
Information
Fruit Sources
Vegetable
Sources
Nut
Sources
 
10,000 IU/day (plant-derived) for adult males.
8,000 for adult females – 12,000 if lactating.
4,000 for children ages 1-3
5,000 for children ages 4-6
7,000 for children ages 7-10

Vitamin A helps cell reproduction. It also stimulates immunity and is needed for formation of some hormones. Vitamin A helps vision and promotes bone growth, tooth development, and helps maintain healthy skin, hair, and mucous membranes. It has been shown to be an effective preventive against measles.

Deficiency can cause night blindness, dry skin, poor bone growth, and weak tooth enamel.

Alpha-carotene, beta-carotene and retinol are all versions of Vitamin A.
Most fruits contain vitamin A, but the following fruits have a significant amount:
Tomatoes
Cantaloupes
Watermelon
Peaches
Kiwi
Oranges
Blackberries
Sweet potato
Kale
Carrots
Spinach
Avocado
Broccoli
Peas
Asparagus
Squash – summer
Green Pepper
Pistachios
Chestnuts
Pumpkin Seeds
Pecans
Pine Nuts/Pignolias
Sunflower Seeds
Almonds
Filberts/Hazelnuts
 
1.2 mg for adult males and 1.1 mg for women – 1.5 mg if lactating.

Children need .6 to .9 mg of B1/thiamine per day.
Vitamin B1/thiamine is important in the production of energy. It helps the body cells convert carbohydrates into energy. It is also essential for the functioning of the heart, muscles, and nervous system. Not getting enough thiamine can leave one fatigued and weak.

Note: Most fruits and vegetables are not a significant source of thiamine.
Watermelon
Peas
Avocado
No nuts contain a significant amount of vitamin B1.
 
1.3 mg for adult males and 1.1 mg for women – 1.5 mg if pregnant/lactating.

Children need .6 to .9 mg of B2/riboflavin per day.
Vitamin B2 or riboflavin is important for body growth, reproduction and red cell production. It also helps in releasing energy from carbohydrates.

Note: Most fruits and vegetables are not a significant source of riboflavin.
Kiwi
Avocado
No nuts contain a significant amount of vitamin B2.
 
16 mg for adult males and 14 mg for women – 17-18 mg if pregnant/lactating.

Children need 9 – 16 mg of niacin per day.
Niacin assists in the functioning of the digestive system, skin, and nerves. It is also important for the conversion of food to energy.
Peaches
Tomatoes
Kiwi
Bananas
Cantaloupe
Watermelon
Avocado
Peas
Potatoes
Mushrooms
Squash – winter
Corn
Artichoke
Asparagus
Squash – summer
Lima Beans
Sweet potato
Kale
Broccoli
Carrots
Green Pepper
Nuts:
Peanuts
Pine Nuts/Pignolias
Chestnuts
Almonds 
5 mg for adults and 6 – 7 mg for women who are pregnant or lactating.

Children need 2 – 4 mg of niacin per day.
Pantothenic acid is essential for the metabolism of food as well as in the formation of hormones and (good) cholesterol.
Oranges
Bananas
Avocado
Sweet potato
Potatoes
Corn
Lima Beans
Squash – winter
Artichoke
Mushrooms
Broccoli
Cauliflower
Carrots
No nuts contain a significant amount of vitamin B5.
 
1.3 to 1.7 mg for adults – 2 mg for women who are pregnant or lactating.

Children need between .6 to 1.3 mg.
B6 plays a role in the creation of antibodies in the immune system. It helps maintain normal nerve function and acts in the formation of red blood cells. It is also required for the chemical reactions of proteins. The higher the protein intake, the more need there is for vitamin B6. Too little B6 in the diet can cause dizziness, nausea, confusion, irritability and convulsions.
Bananas
Watermelon
Avocado
Peas
Potatoes
Carrots
No nuts contain a significant amount of vitamin B6.
 
At least 400 mcgs for most adults – pregnant women 600 mcgs and breastfeeding women should get at least 500 mcgs.

Children need between 150 to 300 mcg per day.
Folate and folic acid are both forms of B9. Folate occurs naturally in fresh foods, whereas folic acid is the synthetic form found in supplements. Your body needs folate to produce red blood cells, as well as components of the nervous system. It helps in the formation and creation of DNA and maintaining normal brain function, and is a critical part of spinal fluid. It has also been proven to reduce the risk for an NTD-affected (neural tube defect) pregnancy by 50 to 70 percent. Folic acid is vital for proper cell growth and development of the embryo. That is why it is important for a woman to have enough folate/folic acid in her body both before and during pregnancy.
Kiwi
Blackberries
Tomatoes
Orange
Strawberry
Bananas
Cantaloupe
Lima Beans
Asparagus
Avocado
Peas
Artichoke
Spinach
Squash – winter
Broccoli
Squash – summer
Corn
Sweet potato
Kale
Potatoes
Carrots
Onions
Green Pepper
Nuts/Seeds:
Peanuts
Sunflower Seeds
Chestnuts
Walnuts
Pine Nuts/Pignolias
Filberts/Hazelnuts
Pistachios
Almonds
Cashews
Brazil Nuts
Pecans
Macadamias
Pumpkin Seeds
 
2.4 mcg for adults and 2.6 – 2.8 mcg for women who are pregnant or lactating.

Children need .9 – 2.4 mcg per day.
Like the other B vitamins, vitamin B12 is important for metabolism. It helps in the formation of red blood cells and in the maintenance of the central nervous system.

Vitamin B12 is the one vitamin that is available only from fish, poultry, meat or dairy sources in food.
None
None
No nuts contain a significant amount of vitamin B12.
 
60 mg for adults – 70 mg for women who are pregnant and 95 for those lactating.

Children need between 45 and 50 mg
Vitamin C is one of the most important of all vitamins. It plays a significant role as an antioxidant, thereby protecting body tissue from the damage of oxidation. Antioxidants act to protect your cells against the effects of free radicals, which are potentially damaging by-products of the body’s metabolism. Free radicals can cause cell damage that may contribute to the development of cardiovascular disease and cancer. Vitamin C has also been found by scientists to be an effective antiviral agent.
Kiwi
Strawberry
Orange
Blackberries
Cantaloupe
Watermelon
Tomatoes
Lime
Peach
Bananas
Apples
Lemon
Grapes
Artichoke
Asparagus
Avocado
Broccoli
Carrots
Cauliflower
Corn
Cucumber
Green Pepper
Kale
Lima Beans
Mushrooms
Onions
Peas
Potatoes
Spinach
Squash – summer
Squash – winter
Sweet potato
No nuts contain a significant amount of vitamin C.
 
5 mg for most adults. Between 50 – 70 yrs 10 mg, and after 70 15 mg.

Children need about 5 mg/day.
Vitamin D is known as the “sunshine vitamin” since it is manufactured by the body after being exposed to sunshine. Ten to fifteen minutes of good sunshine three times weekly is adequate to produce the body’s requirement of vitamin D. This means that we don’t need to obtain vitamin D from our diet unless we get very little sunlight – usually not a problem for children.

Vitamin D is vital to the human body as it promotes absorption of calcium and magnesium, which are essential for the normal development of healthy teeth and bones. It also helps maintain adequate levels of calcium and phosphorus in the blood.
None
Mushrooms
No nuts contain a significant amount of vitamin D.
 
30 IU for most adults. Children need between 6-11 mg/day. (1 IU is equal to approximately .75 mg)

Note: some researchers and medical experts believe that with all of the positive studies using higher doses of vitamin E, this daily recommended intake is not high enough.
Like vitamin C, vitamin E plays a significant role as an antioxidant, thereby protecting body tissue from the damage of oxidation. It is important in the formation of red blood cells and the use of vitamin K. Many women also use it to help minimize the appearance of wrinkles, and mothers use it to help heal minor wounds without scarring, as it is valued for its ability to soothe and heal broken or stressed skin tissue.
Blackberries
Bananas
Apples
Kiwi
None
Nuts:
Almonds
Sunflower Seeds
Pine Nuts/Pignolias
Peanuts
Brazil Nuts
 
70-80 micrograms/day for adult males, 60-65 micrograms per day for adult females.

Children need about half the amount, depending on age.
Vitamin K is fat soluble and plays a critical role in blood clotting. It regulates blood calcium levels and activates at least 3 proteins involved in bone health.
None
Vitamin K is found in significant quantities in dark green leafy vegetables such as spinach, broccoli, and kale.
Pine Nuts/Pignolias
Cashews
Chestnuts
Filberts/Hazelnuts
 

http://www.healthalternatives2000.com/vitamins-nutrition-chart.html

The good news however is, that some do, you just need to pick the right ones.

Male Libido first things first:

Male libido does not work in isolation from the rest of your body. A whole host of inputs are present that go into making you feel in the mood.

Your moods and your diet all affect your libido.

Big passion killers include:

Tiredness, stress, depression, a poor diet, alcohol, smoking and drugs.

If you suffer from any of the above then you need to make sure that you improve your diet, get some exercise (a great stress booster) and cut down on drugs cigarettes and alcohol.

What is L- Arginine?

L-Arginine is a non essential amino acid and is necessary for normal functioning of the pituitary gland.

The production of L-Arginine decreases with age and many experts believe this is responsible for many degenerative processes that are related to aging.

Research shows it plays role in maintaining wellbeing and particularly male sexual health.

Why it is so important:

In 1988 researchers discovered that L-arginine’s wide-ranging health benefits were due primarily to its role as a precursor to nitric oxide.

L-arginine stimulates the release of nitric oxide from the walls of blood vessels, improving circulation.

L-arginine is a particularly important amino acid for overall circulatory health and is sold as natural supplement for sexual health.

L-arginine has been proven to help increase blood flow to the penis, much like Viagra does, and the difference is it does it naturally.

How an erection occurs:

Nitric oxide is produced in response to messages from the brain; which triggers the release of nitric acid, which causes the smooth muscles of the spongy tissues inside the penis to relax, the tissue then fills with blood and an erection occurs.

L-arginine is so effective because it helps with the release of nitric oxide. Low levels of L-Arginine can lead therefore to decreased libido.

Medical proof:

A study published in 1994 showed an 80% improvement in the erectile function of men given 2.8 grams of argentine a day after a two weeks period

Combining L-Argentine with other herbs has also shown impressive results.

Combining L-Argentine with the tree bark Pycnogenol has seen over a 90% increase in male libido in recent studies.

Other great products for male libido:

There are other natural supplements that can be taken to increase male libido and two that are very popular are Ginseng and Gingko Bilbao.

Ginseng:

Korean Ginseng has been used in China as a sexual tonic for over 7000 years.

Korean ginseng in particular is taken for its ability to boost energy and sex drive. It also helps you adapt to physical or emotional stress and fatigue and helps improve blood flow

Gingko Bilbao:

Is used to improve blood flow around the body including to the genitals and also functions as an anti-oxidant in the body.

Ginkgo has long been thought to heal male impotence, and is a standard herbal remedy prescribed in China and is now popular worldwide.

A combination of the above four natural supplements will help increase male libido.

As we have said already, healthy sex drive depends on all round well being, as well as the realize of nitric oxide to create an erection.

-Sacha Tarkovsky, Ezine articles