>Contraindicated!
>
>
>Hello Sid,
>
>Can you tell me what are the ingredients of this herbal product, and more
>specific: what ingredient(s) is/are causing the increase of PD-symptoms?
>
Hans, hello. My knowledge of kava is limited to a one-page article in Dr.
Andrew Weil's _Self Healing_ newsletter of June 1998. To quote a few
sentences from the article on kava:
Derived from the knotty root of a large tropical shrub in
the black-pepper family (Piper methysticum), kava has a rich
history. In cultures of the South Pacific, it has been cultivated
for centuries as a traditional psychoactive drug believed to
have religious significance. In that part of the world, it is
generally prepared as a drink made from the fresh or dried root
and consumed at ritual ceremonies and social gatherings.
Today, the herb is widely used in Europe as a natural relaxant
and sleep aid, and Germany's Commission E-the national
agency that evaluates and regulates botanical medicines-gave
kava its stamp of approval in 1990 for conditions of nervous
anxiety and stress.
Look for standardized extracts. The kavalactone content
of kava root can vary widely, so be sure to seek out
standardized preparations. Look in health-food stores or drug
stores for an extract standardized to 60 to 75 mg of
kavalactones per capsule.
Avoid taking with
certain drugs and herbs. Don't mix kava with depressant
drugs such as alcohol, prescription sedatives, or herbal
relaxants such as valerian root, as kava may intensity the
effects of these substances to a degree that could be
dangerous. As with any drug that affects the central nervous
system, I would monitor kava's effects on you before driving.
And, most importantly from our perspective, Dr. Weil writes:
- Do not take if you are pregnant or nursing, or if you
have Parkinson's disease, Kava may cause increased
muscular twitching in Parkinson's patients.
__________
Sid Roberts 68/3 <[log in to unmask] > Youngstown, Ohio
