Kava, a plant native to the South Pacific islands, has long been used by islanders for medicinal and ceremonial purposes. It's found in Pacific islands such as Hawaii, Vanuatu, Fiji, Papua New Guinea & many more. Kava is made from the roots of the Piper Methysticum plant and it can be consumed whole or mixed with other liquids like coconut milk or water to make it more palatable for some people. It has been used as an ingredient in various chocolates, medicines, health supplements & beverages. Kava as a drink has been used for centuries but has only recently been growing in popularity as an alternative therapy for anxiety, stress, insomnia, and even high blood pressure; although further research is still being conducted on these topics.
But what is kava, how does it work and are there any side effects to be aware of? In this article, we take a closer look at the kava root and its uses as well as address common questions about its safety profile. We’ll also offer some recommendations on how you can incorporate this powerful plant into your life safely and effectively!
What are Kavalactones?
Kavalactones are the active ingredients in kava responsible for its psychoactive effects including:- Memory lapses
- Pain relief
- Mood stabilizing
- Anxiety inhibition
- Concentration enhancement
- Sleep inducing
It’s important to note that not all kavas contain these compounds—some types of cultivar have more than others. Kava plants have different combinations of Kavalactones - meaning different side effects, though the kavalactones are always in the highest concentration at the root of the plant and decrease as you go higher up.
What does drinking Kava feel like?
Euphoric - you might associate the feeling with being extremely calm & relaxed. That’s because kavalactones can cause a state of relaxation, which may be why they’re often taken to help with anxiety and insomnia.
But did you know that Kavalactones are also responsible for making your lips feel tingly? This is because they stimulate the production of certain chemicals in your body, such as serotonin and dopamine—chemicals associated with feelings of joy and pleasure (as well as other things).
Is Kava safe and what are the side effects?
Kava is a natural medicine that has been used safely by millions of people for centuries. It is not a drug, narcotic or controlled substance. It should be treated as you would treat any other herbal remedy.
Side effects are possible, although they are rare and generally mild. These side effects may include nausea, dizziness and headache. It is classified as non-addictive but with any herbal supplement or medication that affects the brain, kava should be drunk with moderation.
There are many options now available to help safely include Kava into your lifestyle with the ease, some of your options include preparing it as a beverage (there are many premade and instant options), it can be taken as a pill supplement, or you could snack on it via the many varieties of candy that now include this incredible herb.
Please note Kava can also extremely dehydrating, so it is very important to drink lots of water after a kava session.
Conclusion
We hope that this blog post has answered any basic questions you might have had about kava. If you have any further questions please feel free to reach us via the comment box below and one of our team will be sure to get back to you.
Lastly please remember Kava is an important part of many Pacific Island cultures so be sure to consume this drink with respect to it's origins. Thank you for reading and we hope you take the time to try some of our sacred Kava!
