KAVA KAVA: All you need to know
Kava Kava is an extremely rich world. Fascinating tradition, unique properties, various varieties, forms and methods of preparation. For all those who are just beginning their adventure with Kava Kava, we have prepared a mini guide. Welcome to the world of Kavaha!
What is Kava Kava
Kava is a Pacific non-alcoholic drink. It is mainly known for its deeply relaxing effect – it reduces tension both at the level of the mind (nervous system) and the body (muscle tension).
Kava drink is made from the roots of the plant of the same name: Kava Kava (Piper metysticum), which grows exclusively in Pacific islands such as Fiji, Vanuatu, Hawaii. The drink can be easily prepared at home: based on ground roots.
EFFECT OF KAVA KAVA
Kava is best known for naturally reducing stress and deeply relaxing. But its effects are much broader.
- Kava acts on the nervous system to reduce overstimulation – acting on the neurotransmitter GABA: READ MORE
- It is assumed that Kava reacts with the limbic system, responsible for emotions. Hence the good mood and sense of satisfaction, with a reduced tendency to anger and aggression after Kava.
- Kava’s active ingredients – kavalactones – are claimed to be MAO inhibitors. MAO inhibitors affect dopamine levels in the body, among other things. They are used, among other things, in antidepressants – SOURCE
- Kava has proven anti-anxiety effects – READ MORE
- Kava is also famous as a natural support for sleep disorders – READ MORE
- It relaxes not only the mind, but also the body. It has a muscle relaxant, analgesic and local anesthetic effect. Therefore, it works well not only in stressful situations, but also after a workout – READ MORE
- Kava is especially popular among women. Its natural diastolic and anesthetic action can work well for menstrual pain (painful cramps), and its calming effect for mood swings (PMS).
- It is also known to support the relief of menopausal symptoms. You can read more about what Kava gives women HERE.
It is impossible to list all the benefits of Kava. Mainly because Kava is still being discovered by researchers and scientists. Its effects and support in the fight against addiction or cancer, for example, are being analyzed – EXAMPLE
WHAT ARE KAVALACTONES
Kavalactones are the unique active ingredients of Kava. Each variety of Kava has a different composition of kavalactones, and each type of kavalactone has a different action. Hence, the action of Kavaha is determined by their composition and scale.
Based on the composition of kavalactones, we can talk about the action:
heady – stimulating positive energy, ideal for daytime drinking
heavy – deeply relaxing, ideal in the evening
balanced – with a balanced effect
You can read more about the phenomenon of kavalactones HERE.
HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST KAVA
If each variety of Kava Kava has a different effect…. how do we choose the variety that best suits our needs? It’s easy with Kavaha! On each product you will find an indication of what time of day that particular Kava will work best for: during the day, in the afternoon or in the evening/before sleep.
Kava Kava tradition and culture
The tradition of drinking Kava dates back three thousand years. Kava has complex drinking ceremonies, but also has its own myths and legends. It still serves important social functions to this day.
Kava is Fiji’s national drink, and its celebration on many islands is of paramount heritage. You can read more about the tradition and culture of Kava Kava HERE.
KAVA POWDER OR INSTANT?
Traditional Kava is in the form of POWDER. It is finely ground Kava roots from which the extract is squeezed.
Kavaha INSTANT is traditional Kava prepared in advance, from which water has simply been evaporated. To prepare Kava INSTANT, all you need to do is add water or your favorite beverage again and it will be ready to drink in an instant.
You can read more about the difference between POWDER and INSTANT Kava HERE.
HOW TO PREPARE KAVA
To prepare Kava Kava in the traditional POWDER form you must have:
- Kavaha POWDER
- a squeeze bag: KAVAHA BAG: cotton or nylon
- an open vessel – preferably a large bowl
- warm water (preferably at 30-40 degrees
How the preparation of Kavaha looks like in detail YOU CAN FIND HERE
HOW TO DRINK KAVA KAVA?
Tradition suggests drinking a portion of Kava at a time. If you drink more slowly, the Kava (which does not dissolve in water) may sink to the bottom – like sediment from juice. Then all you have to do is stir it slightly and the Kava is ready to drink again!
Kava is best drunk on an empty stomach.
A slight tingling on the lips at the beginning of drinking is perfectly natural – it will pass in a moment.
Water should not exceed 40 degrees – so that the active ingredients of Kava do not lose their properties.
Tradition in Fiji dictates that before drinking, greet other drinkers with the word Bula! In turn, after drinking, clap deafeningly 2-3 times.
The first bowl of Kava, on the other hand, should be given to the main guest or the most respected person in the group. The order of drinking traditionally corresponds to the hierarchy of the community.
KAVA KAVA: PORTIONS
KAVA KAVA: ONLY NOBLE ROOTS
Whether you choose Kava from the Kavaha or from other sources, remember to choose only fine NOBLE Kava from suppliers who guarantee the quality and safety of the entire production process. If you come across wild-grown TUDEI Kava, you can expect severe nausea (for example). Even lasting “two day” (this is no joke).
IS KAVA ADDICTIVE?
Kava has no addictive potential. There is a reverse tolerance phenomenon associated with Kava. It relies on the fact that successive sessions with Kava may require smaller (rather than increasingly larger) portions to achieve the desired state of relaxation and indulgence. You can read more HERE
IS KAVA SAFE?
Is Kava harmful to the liver? A special group of the World Health Organization answered this question:
A recent WHO risk assessment of kava products has found that “kava has had at least a 1500-year history of relatively safe use, with liver side effects never having arisen in the ethno pharmacological data” and concludes that “clinical trials of kava have not revealed hepatotoxicty as a problem”. This has been confirmed by further studies evaluating the toxicology of kava drink. Based on available scientific information it can be inferred that kava as a traditional beverage is safe for human consumption.
- Codex Alimentarius Commission, United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization and World Health Organization. 1 October 2010.
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