Kona Coffee is an Herb

Kona Coffee: The Herb
By Barbara Kennedy, N.D.

Definition of “Herbs”
Herbs are plants that have natural and primary remedies for healing human ailments.

Kona Coffee Is An Herb
The Plant of Coffee comes from the Gardenia Plant Family of the Genus and Species, Coffea Arabica, C. Liberica, C. Robusta. The seeds are used, roasted and ground. Coffee is categorized as “an herbal stimulant.” Herbal stimulants increase metabolism, circulation, break up obstructions and warm the body. Specific stimulants are important to strengthen the body to help it throw off particular and specific ailments. Herbal supplements from a cup of Kona coffee. They can also help restore vitality that have been reduced by chronic diseases. According to well known master herbalist, Michael Tierra, C.A., N.D., author of The Way of Herbs, the proper use of stimulant herbs is beneficial in treating a wide variety of conditions. The causes of many ailments can be traced to blockages in the natural flow of blood, lymph, nutrients, waste products or nerve energy. Stimulants are important natural substances used to break through these blockages, which are cold, inactive areas of the body. By increasing energy, circulation and warmth, they bring back normal activity. He supports the research and knowledge that despite the many charges against the use of caffeine and related substances, if they are used appropriately they can be very useful. And if abused, without regard for bodily needs, they can be harmful.

Coffee's Healing History
During America’s 19th-century, coffee was commonly used as “an agreeable stimulant” to overcome the effects of opium, morphine, and alcohol.” It was recommended to treat asthma, fever, headache, colds, flu, constipation, menstrual cramps, and congestive heart failure. Coffee’s “down side” was also respected. They recognized that if taken too freely it produced irritability, trembling, confusion, ringing in the ears, and bowel disorders.

Coffee is an Herb and has healing qualities of herbal medicine. Healing with Coffee Today

Caffeine is the stimulant substance in coffee. It is a “drug” and classically addictive. Regular users deprived of caffeine usually develop withdrawal symptoms, primarily a headache. The media regularly reports health problems associated with coffee, but they rarely discuss its many possible healing benefits if taken with care and awareness of moderation.

Current Benefits

"Pick Me Up"	It is powerful central nervous system stimulant and it can “jump start” the body’s energy levels in the morning, when it’s feeling low, and it helps prevent dozing driving long distances. Contrary to some thinking, it does not help people sober up after alcohol indulgence.
Increased Stamina:	Coffee may improve physical stamina according to The Physician and Sports medicine. However, the International Olympic Committee forbids the use of more than seven cups within 3 hours before Olympic events.
Asthma:	A few studies show coffee helps prevent asthma, attributed to caffeine opening up the bronchial passages in the lungs.
Weight Loss:	Coffee may help some people to lose weight as it may boost the number of calories you burn per hour by about 4%.
Jet Lag:	Coffee may help shift the body’s natural time cycle after time-zone changes associated with long distance air travel. Some jet-lag authorities recommend drinking coffee in the morning when traveling west and in the late afternoon when traveling east.

Bottom line

As with everything in life, “moderation is the key.” Moderation to one may be different for another. For me, personally, I have a little 4 oz. cup I love, and I fill it 2-4 times every morning, pouring out at least half (because it cooled off and I like it piping hot!). I can feel my own inner tolerance for coffee, which is lower than most people’s. I love a little in the morning, while I write in my journal and plan my day. I love that I have the privilege of drinking some of the highest quality, pesticide free coffee in the world...in its purest state...as all Hawaiian, grown in USA coffees are. Kona coffee, it is one of my life’s little treasures.

Look for an upcoming article regarding “the harmful effects of decaffeinated coffee...what most doctors are unaware of.”

Barbara Kennedy is a Director of Keopu Mauka Lani Coffees and Keopu Mauka Lani Plantation, Inc., Kona coffee companies specializing in quintessential Kona Fancy & Estate coffees. She also has a Doctorate of Naturopathy degree which studies the science of natural health and healing.