Running head: ALTERNATIVE THERAPY ASSIGNMENT
Alternative Therapy Assignment: Kava Kava
Tianna Thatcher
Trent University BIOL-2550
Dr. Mackie
Alternative Therapy Assignment: Kava Kava
Over the past decade there has been a dramatic increase in the use of many herbs and herbal remedies that are being used in many different areas of the world (Singh, 2005). Herbal remedies and other alternative therapies are characterized as natural products and therefore, many believe that they are safe to take and are harmless to our bodies. However, this is not always the case and much research has gone into discovering the ways in which these alternative therapies can affect different organs and tissues in our bodies. Kava Kava, also known as piper methysticum, is an extract from the kava plant that was traditionally used in the Pacific island as a traditional beverage (Anke, 2004). Today in Western countries, Kava is becoming increasingly popular to treat mood and in particular generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) (Sarris, 2009). Generalized anxiety disorder is usually characterized by persistent and uncontrollable worry which leads to symptoms such as restlessness, difficultly concentrating, fatigue and also physical signs such as sweating, muscle tension and increased heart rate and breathing (Kavanagh, 2009). The conventional therapies used for generalized anxiety disorder include; synthetic anxiolytic, somatic agents, antidepressants and psychological interventions (Sarris, 2009). Many of the medication treatments for GAD have a dependence factor and also have some major side effects such as depression, confusion and impaired judgment and thinking. Since the conventional therapies for GAD seem to have these underlying problems, herbal remedies like Kava are becoming more popular and are beginning to replace these conventional methods. Before taking Kava or suggesting this alternative therapy as a possible treatment for GAD, one must fully understand... [continues]
Alternative Therapy Assignment: Kava Kava
Tianna Thatcher
Trent University BIOL-2550
Dr. Mackie
Alternative Therapy Assignment: Kava Kava
Over the past decade there has been a dramatic increase in the use of many herbs and herbal remedies that are being used in many different areas of the world (Singh, 2005). Herbal remedies and other alternative therapies are characterized as natural products and therefore, many believe that they are safe to take and are harmless to our bodies. However, this is not always the case and much research has gone into discovering the ways in which these alternative therapies can affect different organs and tissues in our bodies. Kava Kava, also known as piper methysticum, is an extract from the kava plant that was traditionally used in the Pacific island as a traditional beverage (Anke, 2004). Today in Western countries, Kava is becoming increasingly popular to treat mood and in particular generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) (Sarris, 2009). Generalized anxiety disorder is usually characterized by persistent and uncontrollable worry which leads to symptoms such as restlessness, difficultly concentrating, fatigue and also physical signs such as sweating, muscle tension and increased heart rate and breathing (Kavanagh, 2009). The conventional therapies used for generalized anxiety disorder include; synthetic anxiolytic, somatic agents, antidepressants and psychological interventions (Sarris, 2009). Many of the medication treatments for GAD have a dependence factor and also have some major side effects such as depression, confusion and impaired judgment and thinking. Since the conventional therapies for GAD seem to have these underlying problems, herbal remedies like Kava are becoming more popular and are beginning to replace these conventional methods. Before taking Kava or suggesting this alternative therapy as a possible treatment for GAD, one must fully understand... [continues]
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