Their research method is to extract the one component of the herb (by chemical solvent...I think of Lestoil when I hear that phase) and inject that part at 9 to 10 thousand times the dose a human could take in a life time into a rat. And they, low and behold, find it causes cancer. Most herbs, except for four, should never have any part extracted. It's the whole herb that works. The "harsh" component is neutralized by the other components around it.

Germany has used herbs all along...which unfornately, now they have depleted their resources...and have never have stated the problems our government states. Their way of researching seems to be fair to the herb's qualities and credentials.

One more thing...yes, I am long winded...herbs have been used for hundreds and thousands of years...loooong before "modern medicine"...the knowledge passed down thru the generations. If these herbs...such as kava kava...were harmful...do you really think the Healers would have passed down the knowledge to use this plant for medicinal purposes?

As for my PERSONAL experiences? Kava Kava was TRULY one of best herbs out there for over-stimulated folk...I miss it very, very much *insert pout here*. Can you say time for a vacation to Fiji?? I found this letter, thought I would share it, seems not only laymen use(d) Kava Kava...
D'Fly

--------------------
The Importance of Integrated Health The Prince of Wales writes, in an article that appeared in The Daily Telegraph, why he believes complimentary medicine should play a greater role in the future of the British health system. 18th April, 2003

Nature offers a vast pharmacopoeia of remedies medical science has at last begun to explore - taxol, for example, one of most powerful agents against cancer, is a substance found naturally in the Pacific yew tree. But despite the range of natural remedies at our disposal, it is of great concern that much of this vital armoury against disease is under threat just at the moment when more people are beginning to recognise its value.......................... The current situation with kava-kava would seem to bear this out and provides an interesting case study.

A limited number of cases of liver damage have been attributed to this herb, which is used as a natural tranquilliser. On the recommendation of the Committee of Safety of Medicines, its use has now been banned (albeit with a review in two years). But, as Professor Edzard Ernst from Exeter University points out, after five centuries of traditional use throughout Polynesia, as well as more recent years of worldwide application, the risk of liver damage from kava-kava is no worse than that associated with Valium (Diazepam).

Scientists working in complementary medicine state that kava-kava has none of the addiction problems of the conventional tranquilliser, nor the side-effects associated with Valium and other benzodiazepine-based drugs. Some believe the recent problems may well be due to industrial extraction techniques used in producing Kava-Kava which, in increasing the concentration of active constituents called kavalactones, have removed other important components that protect the liver. Prohibition could have the unfortunate result of stifling further research into what many agree is a potentially valuable treatment.

I am amazed that I found a place such as this to post a blog in relevance to the subject.

I will be using some literature from this site in my
essay. I appreciate the opportunity to post a blog on your
site. I like the holistic life that the Boston/New England has in terms of vegetarian lifestyles.

The essay contest was posted on FastWeb.com for an herbal
company called Mama's Health in California. Hope you
enjoy it.

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely Yours,

Kelly Sjuggerud

Last Edited Sicko911 on 2-Jul-2005 6:43 PM