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.

Delve into the enchanting world of the Pacific Island plant with "The Art of Kava: Pacific's Gift to the World." This book provides a comprehensive exploration of the mythical Kava plant, revered for its cultural, culinary, and medicinal attributes. It lovingly pays homage to the rich history and cultural relevance of Kava while presenting an insightful guide to its modern usage and global impact.Starting off with an introduction and historical overview of Kava, the book explores its botanical life, including its biology, cultivation, and varying plant species. It proceeds to dissect its active components like Kavalactones and other phytochemical constituencies, giving an in-depth understanding of what makes Kava unique.Get enlightened about traditional and modern techniques of harvesting and processing Kava and immerse yourself in the cultural uses of this magical plant across Pacific Island traditions and global cultural spaces. Delve into its traditional medicinal applications and the potential health risks associated with Kava and safe consumption methods."The Art of Kava: Pacific's Gift to the World" paints a vivid picture of the Kava experience, from the ceremonial rituals to personal tales of the Kava experience. It also discusses the role of Kava in mental health treatment, stress relief, and relaxation. Understand the legal, trade, and societal aspects of Kava through discussions on international regulations, market analytics, global usage, and its depiction in media, literature, and art.Discover the rich gastronomic potential of this Pacifico-Asiatic plant with traditional Kava recipes and inventive gastronomic experiments. Brewing the perfect bowl of Kava won't be a riddle anymore with traditional brewing methods and tips shared for an optimal effect.Finally, hear from the subject matter experts with the latest medical research on Kava interspersed with a look towards the future scope of studies regarding its place in global wellness. Through its extensive narrative, this book advocates Kava's inevitable role in holistic health and consumer behaviors.Unearth the mysteries of Kava, the Pacific's gift to the world with this book. Both informative and inspiring, this book is perfect for botanists, historians, culinary enthusiasts or anybody with a thirst for knowledge about global cultural phenomena.

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.

Scientists consider kava (Piper methysticum) a narcotic and a hypnotic, but not a hallucinogen or a stupefacient. It is used throughout the South Pacific as a social intoxicant, an aid to religious inspiration, and as medicine for a number of conditions. Here is a review of the literature on kava's botany, chemistry, ethnobotany, pharmacology, social usage, distribution, and the economic potential for its spread beyond the region. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

About half of all species under threat of extinction in the world today are plants. The loss of plant biodiversity is disturbing for many reasons, but especially because it is a reflection of the growing disconnect between humans and nature. Plants have been used for millennia in traditional systems of healing and have held a significant place in drug development for Western medicine as well. Despite the recent dominance of synthetic drug production, natural product discovery remains the backbone of drug development. As the diversity of life on Earth is depleted and increasing numbers of species become lost to extinction, we continue to lose opportunities to achieve advances in medicine. Through stories of drug revelation in nature and forays into botany, human behavior, and conservation, Kara Rogers sheds light on the multiple ways in which humans, medicine, and plants are interconnected. With accessible and engaging writing, she explores the relationships between humans and plants, relating the stories of plant hunters of centuries past and examining the impact of human activities on the environment and the world's biodiversity. Rogers also highlights the role that plant-based products can play in encouraging conservation and protecting the heritage and knowledge of indigenous peoples. Out of Nature provides a fresh perspective on modern drug innovation and its relationship with nature. The book delves into the complexity of biophilia—the innate human attraction to life in the natural world—and suggests that the reawakening of this drive is fundamental to expanding conservation efforts and improving medicine. Rogers's examination of plants, humans, and drug discovery also conveys a passionate optimism for the future of biodiversity and medicine. Including a collection of hand-drawn maps and plant illustrations created by the author, this well-researched narrative will inspire as well as inform.

The Routledge Handbook of Mormonism and Gender is an outstanding reference source to this controversial subject area. Since its founding in 1830, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has engaged gender in surprising ways. LDS practice of polygamy in the nineteenth century both fueled rhetoric of patriarchal rule as well as gave polygamous wives greater autonomy than their monogamous peers. The tensions over women’s autonomy continued after polygamy was abandoned and defined much of the twentieth century. In the 1970s, 1990s, and 2010s, Mormon feminists came into direct confrontation with the male Mormon hierarchy. These public clashes produced some reforms, but fell short of accomplishing full equality. LGBT Mormons have a similar history. These movements are part of the larger story of how Mormonism has managed changing gender norms in a global context. Comprising over forty chapters by a team of international contributors the Handbook is divided into four parts: • Methodological issues • Historical approaches • Social scientific approaches • Theological approaches. These sections examine central issues, debates, and problems, including: agency, feminism, sexuality and sexual ethics, masculinity, queer studies, plural marriage, homosexuality, race, scripture, gender and the priesthood, the family, sexual violence, and identity. The Routledge Handbook of Mormonism and Gender is essential reading for students and researchers in religious studies, gender studies, and women’s studies. The Handbook will also be very useful for those in related fields, such as cultural studies, politics, anthropology, and sociology.

Kava, Piper Methysticum, is the most effective relaxing and stress-relieving plant in all of nature. This book is the tale of plant researcher Chris Kilham's investigations into this plant and his far-ranging explorations deep in the South Pacific in search of a source of kava. Kilham takes the reader on an adventurous journey through the mystical native legends, outlandish history, and exciting science surrounding this potent plant. A story replete with pulpit-pounding missionaries, kava-drinking natives, sorcerers, a mysterious Tahitian prince, and the author's own humorous outlook amidst difficult and perilous circumstances, Kava is a must-read for those who love tales of travel and adventure and those interested in plant medicine. Kava is poised to become an important and now readily available natural alternative to stress-relieving drugs.