Soothing plant tea is called 'natural Rivotril' and has relaxing effects

The use of drugs to treat anxiety disorder and other mental health conditions has increased considerably in recent years around the world. The increase was identified mainly in Brazil, the country that the WHO (World Health Organization) found to be the most anxious population in the world.

This recurrence of cases and medication generated a search for alternative and herbal treatments. Above all, because some people are afraid of becoming dependent on controlled drugs and “black box” or cannot afford the costs. medicine costs.

Discover the plant considered as “Natural Rivotril”

Thus, it is very common for chamomile, valerian and passion fruit teas to be used to control anxiety and improve routine. However, there is a tea with more relaxing properties that can help people's lives, kava kava.

Kava kava (or kawa-kawa) tea gets its scientific name piper methysticum

and is called “natural Rivotril”. According to Lucas Cintra, PhD in biological chemistry at the GPNUF (Research Group on Natural Products at the University of Franca), the plant has anxiolytic effects due to kavalactone substances that are linked to cases of anxiety, depression, insomnia and nervousness.

In an interview with the portal Metropolis, Cintra explained that “These substances have the capacity to facilitate the inhibitory action of an important neurotransmitter involved in anxiety, called GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), in the nervous system central. Kavalactones have activity similar to benzodiazepines, a class to which clonazepam (Rivotril) belongs, widely used for the treatment of anxiety”.

Likewise, natural teas also have milder side effects, so they are the choice of people who are afraid of the symptoms of prescription drugs.

Natural teas: use with caution and attention

The use of calming teas, such as the kava kava plant, for anxiety treatments is proven to be effective. However, other scientific articles also warn that the plant is culturally used as a treatment alternative without medical advice and that the use of medication must be accompanied by health professionals. health.

In the case of kava kava, it is recommended that the use of tea be controlled by pregnant women, nursing mothers and patients with liver problems due to the risk of liver poisoning. Natural tea can also have side effects if consumed with other medications such as sertraline and fluoxetine.

Medicinal plants are an alternative, but the use of any medicine, whether natural or not, should be done with care and with the help of medical advice.