CRC Press Kava: From Ethnology to Pharmacology - Medicinal Herb Reference

Kava: From Ethnology to Pharmacology is a comprehensive exploration of kava's historical significance and modern applications as a medicinal herb. This volume in the Medicinal and Aromatic Plants: Industrial Profiles series examines kava's ceremonial and ritualistic use across cultures, its botanical origins, and contemporary commercial production. The book delivers detailed analysis of kava's chemical composition, particularly the kavalactones that serve as the herb's psychoactive constituents, alongside their reported pharmacological effects. Readers discover the economic dimensions of kava cultivation and trade whilst gaining scientific insight into how this traditional remedy functions. The text bridges ethnological knowledge with modern pharmacology, making it invaluable for herbalists, researchers, healthcare practitioners, and anyone seeking authoritative information about kava's properties and potential therapeutic applications for anxiety, stress, restlessness, and sleep-related concerns.