This complete guide to kava describes its centuries-long use in the religious, political, and economic life of the Pacific islands and summarizes the literature and research on a plant that is now considered a comparable or superior alternative to anti-stress prescription drugs.

For centuries, Pacific Islanders have used Piper methysticum - the Kava plant - for healing, religious ritual, and relaxation. Now Westerners are discovering the calming, centering effects of the plant, and Kava potions are served at many health clubs and coffee-houses. Kava is rapidly becoming a healthy, natural alternative to alcohol and tranquilizers, and a welcome addition to social gatherings or spiritual circles. Kava-Kava is an in-depth look at the history, botany, chemistry, culture, and use of the Kava plant. Filled with rare illustrations and photographs, the book examines how the Pacific Islands' native peoples grew and processed the plant, how it's used in both traditional and contemporary beverages, and how its unique properties affect the human body and mind. Kava-Kava explores the increasing interest in its use as an alternative to alcohol. Users report that kava drinking reduces alcohol intake, resulting in weight loss, gains in strength, better sleep and health in general. Kava has anti-anxiety properties that help fight stress and promote sleep. Kava-Kava is built upon the Dutch botanist, Dr. E.F. Steinmetz's classic early pamphlet,Kava-Kava: Famous Drug Plant of the South Sea Islands with addition of considerable new information about health, social, and spiritual uses. A fact-filled look at this fascinating plant,Kava-Kava belongs in the library of anyone interested in intoxicants, herbal medicine, or shamanistic practices.

Drug-Induced Liver Injury, Volume 85, the newest volume in the Advances in Pharmacology series, presents a variety of chapters from the best authors in the field. Chapters in this new release include Cell death mechanisms in DILI, Mitochondria in DILI, Primary hepatocytes and their cultures for the testing of drug-induced liver injury, MetaHeps an alternate approach to identify IDILI, Autophagy and DILI, Biomarkers and DILI, Regeneration and DILI, Drug-induced liver injury in obesity and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, Mechanisms of Idiosyncratic Drug-Induced Liver Injury, the Evaluation and Treatment of Acetaminophen Toxicity, and much more. - Includes the authority and expertise of leading contributors in pharmacology - Presents the latest release in the Advances in Pharmacology series

Kava is an herb that has been used for ceremonial, ritual, religious, social, political, and medicinal purposes for centuries. In the past few decades, kava has been widely marketed as an over-the-counter treatment for anxiety, stress, restlessness, and sleep disorders. Kava: From Ethnology to Pharmacology describes the history, botanical origins, production, economic aspects, and chemical and biological properties of this medicinal herb. A major part of the book focuses on the chemical and pharmacological properties of kavalactones, the psychoactive constituents of kava that reportedly have sedative, anxiolytic, analgesic, local anesthetic, anticonvulsant, and neuroprotective properties. Clinical and medical studies that provide evidence of kava's therapeutic benefits are balanced with an assessment of the known adverse effects and interactions in which kava has been implicated. With contributions from experts in the field, this volume presents a comprehensive view of the traditional aspects of kava and the latest applications for the herb. It is a valuable reference for botanists, phytochemists, toxicologists, physicians, pharmacists, herbalists, and alternative medicine practitioners.

Discover Nature's Treatment for Stress, Anxiety, and Insomnia Kava has been used ritually and medicinally in the islands of the South Pacific for centuries. Widely used in Europe, this amazing herb has been shown to relieve tension and anxiety while maintaining alertness. In larger doses kava promotes deep, restful sleep. Safe, natural, and inexpensive, kava is the perfect supplement for today's stress-filled lifestyle, and the ideal alternative to drugs such as Valium. "Authoritative, fascinating, and richly readable, this book tells you what you want to know about kava and guides you in using it." --James S. Gordon., M.D., Director of the Center for Mind-Body Medicine and author of "Manifesto for a New Medicine "An engaging and informative guide to understanding and using kava." --Jack Canfield, coauthor of "Chicken Soup for the Soul "A valuable contribution to the body of kava literature. Sharing a seasoned clinician's positive experience, the authors cast a deservedly cool light on Valium and its chemical cousins, and let kava emerge as a safe, effective remedy for stress and anxiety." --Chris Kilham, author of "Kava, Medicine Hunting in Paradise

Judges report, Montana NZ Book Awards 2000: "This is an excellent story, beautifully written and skillfully mixing the personal with the political."

This volume assists practicing mental health professionals in expanding their knowledge about nutritional and herbal interventions that can be attempted as alternatives to prescription medications. Designed to provide guidance for non-medical caregivers treating children and adolescents who present with emotional and/or behavioral difficulties such as such as depression, anxiety, ADHD, sleep difficulties, impulsivity, distractibility, and other psychological and psychiatric disorders, the volume provides a comprehensive discussion of naturopathic solutions based on existing research. In areas where research is not extensive, conclusions are provided about potentially beneficial effects based on the specific pharmacologic action of the compounds. Dosage for specific age groups, schedules of administration, dietary considerations (i.e., whether or not to take the supplement with food), monitoring for response and adverse effects, signs of dangerous reactions, and the need to control interactions with other compounds (i.e., prescription medications) are thoroughly reviewed with regard to each supplement discussed in the book. - Reviews specific psychological disorders (i.e. ADHD, depression, mania, anxiety, sleep difficulties, tic behaviors and autism) and the available data about their treatment with the use of nutritional and herbal supplements - Provides rationale for the use of every specific compound with detailed recommendations tailored for each age group with regard to the dosage, frequency of administration, possible dangers and monitoring for side effects - Discusses claims of efficacy used to market various products and ground those claims within fully vetted scientific research - Discusses neurobiology, pharmacodynamics and pharmokinetics in detailed but accessible language *Non-medical clinicians with limited knowledge of medicine and pharmacology come away with understanding of key issues involved in - Fully covers assessment, diagnosis & treatment of children and adolescents, focusing on evidence-based practices *Consolidates broadly distributed literature into single source and specifically relates evidence-based tools to practical treatment, saving clinicians time in obtaining and translating information and improving the level of care they can provide - Detailed how-to explanation of practical evidence-based treatment techniques *Gives reader firm grasp of how to more effectively treat patients - Material related to diversity (including race, ethnicity, gender and social class) integrated into each chapter *Prepares readers for treating the wide range of youth they will encounter in practice

Written by the foremost authority in the field, this volume is a comprehensive review of the multifaceted phenomenon of hepatotoxicity. Dr. Zimmerman examines the interface between chemicals and the liver; the latest research in experimental hepatotoxicology; the hepatotoxic risks of household, industrial, and environmental chemicals; and the adverse effects of drugs on the liver. This thoroughly revised, updated Second Edition features a greatly expanded section on the wide variety of drugs that can cause liver injury. For quick reference, an appendix lists these medications and their associated hepatic injuries. Also included are in-depth discussions of drug metabolism and factors affecting susceptibility to liver injury.

Get caught up in this terrifying psychological thriller, book 6 in Alex Kava’s acclaimed Maggie O’Dell series. Veteran FBI profiler Maggie O’Dell and Assistant Director Cunningham believed the threat targeted Quantico. It targeted them. A deadly virus—virtually undetectable until it causes death from a million internal cuts. The victims appear random, but Maggie wonders if vengeance isn’t the guiding hand. An aficionado of contemporary killers, using bits and pieces from their crimes—the Beltway Sniper’s phrases, the Unabomber’s clues, the Anthrax Killer’s delivery. Maggie knows dangerous minds, but she must tackle this new opponent from within a biosafety isolation ward—while waiting to see if death is already multiplying inside her body. She just fears her last case might end with the most intelligent killer she’s ever faced escalating from murder…to epidemic. Originally published in 2008

There has been international concern over the association of kava products and serious hepatotoxicity. Regulatory action banning these products in Europe has been controversial. The objective of this report is to investigate the possibility of hepatotoxicity with kava. It contains a description of kava and provides safety information as well as information on regulatory issues, conclusions and recommendations by the Committee appointed to handle this enquiry.