Kava: Medicine Hunting in Paradise: The Pursuit of a Natural Alternative to Anti-Anxiety Drugs and Sleeping Pills

Being a big fan of kava for almost 10 years now, I've always wanted to get some more info on the subject. And since there has been a plethora of misinformation about kava over the past 20 years, most of it revolving around the supposed liver problems it causes, this book goes to great lengths to dispell those myths, and shed light on the roots of prejudice against kava. As an added bonus, this details the author's first trip to Vanuatu, and that reads like a travel guide to an exciting South Pacific adventure. Whether you are new to kava, curious about trying it, or an kava fanatic, this book will provide you with all the information you need!

Very interesting read. Although the book needs full color photos and appears to be outdated. I was astonished with the results from the head to head studies between the kava root and the benzodiazipine drugs. It seems like a no brainer. Natural kava is head and shoulders better than it's prescription counter parts.

Everything you need and want to know about Kava is in this book. Well written and enjoyable reading.

ok

INTERESTING! Bought it for my Kindle Fire... Recommend it for anyone to read about, and perhaps incorperate into their lives.

Mostly biographical tales, but interesting stories of kava.

fascinating

This book gave me the comfort level and impetus to try Kava as a cure for my chronic insomnia. Previously I read and tried melatonin, with no success. Finally a protracted illness lead me to search again. The author gives enough details on the plant, pharmocology, and ethnobotany. There is eight pages of full references for additional research, if desired. Went to a local health food store / COOP with the book in hand and had the staff present the different brands of Kava in stock. Finally selected a Kava tincture because a salesperson / user said that this is the best form, compared to powdered root, capsules, and other standardized extracts. He said you will get the fastest and most powerful effects with this tincture, especially since the label said it was extracted from Vanuatu Isl 4-8 yr old roots. He was right on target; the tincture gave a white cloudy mixture when a couple of dropperfuls in 1/3 glass of water. It tasted pretty musty, as expected from reading about the Nakamals, native kava bars!! Got a slight numbing of the tongue too! Fell asleep within 30 minutes and did not wake up for 6 hours, refreshed and alert. The next best thing to being there with the author, who wrote a great story. My first time using tinctures. Normally I use capsules or try to make a tea out of the bark or root. The book told me of the uselessness of making a tea, as heat destoys the kavalactones.