Why Is Kava Gaining Popularity These Days?

Many people are suffering from anxiety, depression, and insomnia these days due to the stressful lifestyle and even the negative news that is flooding daily from social media. This has made Kava gain popularity recently. So what is Kava?

Kava is a tropical shrub that has heart-shaped leaves and woody stems belonging to the pepper family. Its scientific name is Piper Methysticum, Kava’s Latin name translates to “intoxicating pepper.” In the old culture, “kava” means “something bitter.” Kava is a plant indigenous to the South Pacific islands, such as Fiji and Tonga with a long history of use for reducing anxiety due to its psychotropic effects on the central nervous system. Pacific cultures traditionally use kava as a drink during rituals and social gatherings.

Kava’s active ingredient, kavalactones, affects one of the primary neurotransmitters GABA. Kava’s sleep aid effects may stem from its effects on anxiety. Some studies have found kava to have neuroprotective properties that may be beneficial in the treatment of diseases such as Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative disorders. Another benefit of the non-narcotic sedative properties of kava is its potential to help prevent seizures. 
Kavalactones have been known to have pain-killing, anti-convulsant, and neuroprotective properties. Studies have shown that kavalactones have an anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect, which can target different types of pain, including back pain and other chronic pain. It also has neuroprotective properties that can help ease pain. Kava root may also help relieve fibromyalgia. The soothing properties of kava may also help relieve muscle tension and muscle spasms. 

Kava possesses anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and anesthetic properties that help treat a toothache. You can chew a small piece of dried kava root for about 15 minutes to help reduce toothache. The root may also help treat gingivitis.
The health benefits of Kava include the following:

• Reduces depression and anxiety.
• Relives insomnia and improves sleep quality.
• Relieves pain and muscle tension.
• Helps treat neurodegenerative diseases.
• Fights against cancers.

Different types of Kava have different impacts on the body. Heady kava makes you feel euphoric and energetic, which is ideal for drinking it as a tea during the day. Heavy kava has a stronger relaxation effect on your muscles and body, which makes you feel relaxed. Balanced kava combines both, which makes it suitable to drink any time of the day.

The safest dosage of taking of kavalactones shouldn’t exceed 250mg daily. It’s generally accepted that an effective dose can be between 70mg and 250mg. Stay away from Kava if you already have liver issues, the reason is that the liver enzymes that break down kava also break down other drugs. This means that kava can prevent other drugs from breaking down by the liver. This will cause the drugs to build up and damage the liver. Studies have shown that the active chemical compounds in Kava can prevent the metabolism of many pharmaceuticals by inhibiting specific enzymes (P450 enzymes). Kava can also make Parkinson's disease worse according to studies. Higher doses of Kava may impair motor skills and reaction time, which poses a risk when driving or operating heavy machinery.

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Why Does Your Voice Change Overtime?

Have you suffered from a strained voice? No doubt, this is very common among singers and speakers who use their voices to a great extent. Many people suffer from chronic laryngitis, which can also strain their voice, but we often target the throat, I think many factors contribute to this. From the TCM, a few meridians are actively involved in this case, especially the spleen, stomach, large intestine, and lung meridians. From Western medicine, digestive issues can affect the quality of your voice because your mouth is the entrance to your gut, and the inflammation in your upper GI tract can impact your voice. As we age, the larynx increases its mineral content, making it stiffer and more like bone than cartilage. This makes the vocal cords less flexible. The muscles that allow the vocal cords to move also begin wasting as we age. In women, the hormonal changes associated with menopause alter the vocal folds in several ways. They become stiffer and slightly thickened/swollen. The number of glands producing the mucus that lubricates them reduces, causing dryness, while the quality of the mucus changes and becomes thicker and more difficult to clear. These vocal fold changes can significantly lower the pitch of the voice and make vocal quality rougher.

Here are some self-healing tips that you can apply to get your throat and voice back on track fast.

1. REST Your Voice

Rest your voice; this is the first and also the most important tip to heal a strained voice, lots of patience, and hydration throughout the day to prevent a dry throat. Reduce unnecessary speech and rest your voice as much as you can. It may take a couple of weeks before you feel better when you talk. Sip on honey and gargle your mouth frequently with sea salt water, these remedies can help soothe your vocal cords and relieve the discomfort in your throat.

2. Control Acid Reflux

Chronic acid reflux can damage the esophagus and vocal cords especially when you lie in bed at night when the bad acid is not under control. People who suffer from acid reflux usually take anti-acid drugs to cover the symptoms, but that will not solve the issue. The cause of acid reflux has to be addressed and resolved. Acid reflux is usually caused by weak stomach acids and a lack of strength of the lower esophageal sphincter that is not able to prevent the reflux of the stomach content. If you have GERD, it is recommended to eat super early, at least 3 hours before you go to bed, a light supper with small portions can help manage your GERD symptoms more effectively at night, so you don’t have to suffer from heartburns that can irritate your throat and cause laryngitis as well. A healthy lifestyle is all we need to establish when it comes to our health maintenance.

For more tips to heal your voice, please check my recent video.

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The Most Positive Transit for 2024!

For those who enjoyed my astrology predictions in the past, I created a new series. It is based on daily, weekly and monthly transits of important planets that give you timely predictions to guide your daily, weekly and monthly productivities. Our life is guided by the stars, follow the stars and you will find that many synchronicities, opportunities and doors will open for you. Where to find these astrology predictions? I post them on my social media platforms because it is more time-efficient. As some of you may not know my Facebook account is taken down due to this information and the spiritual war we are in right now, but I am actively working on Instagram and Twitter (X) right now. You could follow my social media channels to get the most recent updates on Vedic Astrology transits and new information and natural remedies related to your health. I will add my social media link at the bottom of this content. Let's talk about the most auspicious transit of the year!

Jupiter will transit in Taurus from May 1st, 2024 to May 14th, 2025, it is a one-year long transit. Jupiter brings success, hope, optimism, prosperity, higher wisdom, and expansion. Jupiter aspects the south lunar node Ketu, which is a very spiritual combination, and spiritual practices such as meditation can bring you lots of intuitive insights. Someone from the past may resurface in your life, it is time to heal relationships. Both Jupiter and Saturn aspect Scorpio sign, which is linked to finances, this will bring reconstruction and expansion in our financial system. A new financial system is on the horizon. This is also a great time for seeking financial advice and financial investments. This transit will bring a great boost to finance, agriculture, food industry, local businesses, etc. This transit will bring financial stability to many of us. Pay attention to your diet and eating habits because Jupiter transits the original 2nd house, and you may expand your food intake as well. If you are involved in disputes or court cases, this is a great time to resolve these issues with Jupiter’s blessings and positive energy. Jupiter's aspect to Capricorn will also bring new career opportunities for those who are seeking. It is a very positive and prosperous transit.

Jupiter transits the same sign every 12 years, if any significant events that happened in your life 12 years ago between May 2012 and May 2013, similar events can be triggered this time. This transit will benefit the Earth signs such as Capricorn, Taurus and Virgo the most in general. 

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