First domesticated in Vanuatu thousands of years ago, "Kava" is the word used for the plant, root, and drink made from the root of piper methysticum. The kava drink is made by mixing water with ground root and straining out the liquid. Piper methysticum is the latin name for kava, meaning intoxicating pepper, and is closely related to the black pepper plant.
Top 5 Kava Facts
- Traditionally used ceremonially, socially, medicinally, and for trade in much of the South Pacific especially in Melanesia and Micronesia
- Some of the best kava plants have been used a dowries and peace treaties in regions of kava use
- Active ingredients are called kavalactones. There are eight different kavalactones, each producing different physiological effects on the drinker
- There are over 100 different cultivars of kava, many of which contain varying amounts of each of the eight kavalactones, therefore different kavas will often cause varying effects on the drinker
- Originally, kava was prepared by mixing a small amount of water with fresh root masticated by virgins (we promise to use the modern method of mixing ground root with water and straining)
The Many Benefits of Kava
Kava can be used as a supplement to treat anxiety, and insomnia, as a muscle relaxant, sedative, and as a social drink alternative to alcohol. Kava, which is non-addictive, produces no “hangover” effect like alcohol. Mental clarity is retained, with little chance of unwanted side effects.
*It should be noted that we do not endorse the use of kava in pill form sold as an herbal supplement. There are multiple reasons to suspect the quality of the plant used to make the pills and the methods to extract the concentrate.