I came across something a little different, recently, that advertises itself as a perfectly legal and healthy alternative. Mary Jane’s Relaxing Soda, claimed by its purveyors, offers something many people find in substances that might have limited medical use but aren’t quite legal. Interestingly, they suggest this frosty drink proffers the mellow without the hangover.The claim to an all-natural experience includes a pretty limited ingredient list as well. Carbonated water, Cane Sugar, and Herbal Extracts. Mary Jane’s Soda, Inc. maintain the beneficial properties of each of these ingredients on their website. The soda is “lightly” carbonated to open the taste buds rather than overwhelm. All-natural Cane Sugar has a preferred taste to the more common Corn Syrup. It is the Herbal Extracts, however, that lends the real punch. Of these they list two specific extracts: Passion Flower and Kava.
Passion Flower’s leaves and roots have a long history of use among Native Americans in North America and were adapted by the colonists. The fresh or dried leaves of Maypop are used to make an infusion, a tea that is used to treat insomnia, hysteria, and epilepsy, and is also valued for its painkilling properties. This plant has been found to contain beta-carboline harmala alkaloids which are MAOIs with anti-depressant properties. The flower and fruit has only traces of these chemicals, but the leaves and the roots are often more potent and have been used to enhance the effects of mind-altering drugs. Once dried, the leaves can also be smoked.
Kava is a tranquilizer primarily consumed to relax without disrupting mental clarity. Its active ingredients are called kavalactones. In some parts of the Western World, kava extract is marketed as herbal medicine against stress, insomnia, and anxiety. A Cochrane Collaboration systematic review of its evidence concluded that it was likely to be more effective than placebo at treating short-term social anxiety. Safety concerns have been raised over liver toxicity, although research indicates that this may be largely due to the use of stems and leaves in supplements, which were not used indigenously.
Since most people do not consider the negative side effects of their legal drugs of choice, I do not think many who would drink this will either. I just thought it interesting that there is such a drink being peddled in a way that just about anyone can get it.
6 comments:
But is there a Mary Jane at the company or is that a sneaky reference to other herbal treats found in the bottle? Hum, a drink with a little wacky weed -- that would definitely bring on a mellow.
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Faaascinating.
Want to kill your liver?
This is a match made in heaven.
It Includes Kava Kava which is a dangerous herb linked to liver failure and death and is banned by several countries for this reason. Think twice before you use this potentially lethal drink. Heres some more info from the web.
In January 2003 kava extracts were banned by the European Union and Canada due to increasing cases of complete hepatic failure (leading to liver transplants) and even death. Nevertheless, kava products are still sold in the Unites States despite cautions by the FDA.
Just watch our entire population will have kidney problems in 10 years as if the soda industry had not killed enough through obesity now they are targeting the liver.
Th., you are incorrect. The extracts from the root of kava kava contain no toxicity, its the other parts of the plant such as leaves that cause toxicity. Many supplement pill manufacturers mixed all parts to satisfy demand and thats what caused all the problems later on. If it was "lethal" I doubt it would be so accepted and available around the world. When prepared appropriately, it should be safe and beneficial to consume.
Gregory, The comment to which you're referring was not posted by Th. It was posted by an anonymous poster.
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(Thanks for defending me.)
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