I was first introduced to kava (technically called “kava kava”) while visiting Hawaii’s Big Island. After getting back to the mainland, I began to notice kava everywhere. Kava bars were now easy to find on my travels coast-to-coast, from Asheville, North Carolina to Portland, Oregon. Articles in publications like The New York Times extolled its increasing popularity as an alternative to caffeine-fueled coffee shops or alcohol-centric drinking establishments.
At Mountain Rose Herbs, we’ve prepared the fresh root as a communal beverage to welcome guests at our headquarters and toasted industry friends over a cup of kava chai at the biannual International Herb Symposium.
What is Kava?
Kava kava is the same genus as household black peppercorns. It promotes relaxation and stress reduction* and can be found in many traditional herbal preparations, including our Aphrodite’s Syrup or popular Hit the Hay formula.
A traditional herb of the Pacific Islands, it has a somewhat mysterious history going back more than 3,000 years. There are many folk tales about the origin of kava kava. Some saythe first plant grew on the grave of a sacrificed islander, others that a Samoan girl who traded the plant’s sleep-inducing roots with a chief from a nearby island in exchange for two egg-laying hens—and many more stories abound.
Kava has traditionally been used (and continues to flourish) as a ceremonial beverage. It was first encountered by Europeans in the 18th century during the voyage of Captain Cook, who recorded the process and ceremony in detail. According to Cook’s account, the root was chewed and then pounded into a “mulch,” which was then mixed with water to produce a brownish bitter beverage that was consumed for its psychoactive properties.
How to Prepare Kava
If you ask 10 people how to prepare kava, expect to get 10 different answers. Jacob, who works with our kava kava growers in the Pacific Islands, loves its earthy flavor and sprinkles powdered kava kava on his morning coffee or afternoon tea. I prefer to drink kava without tasting so much of its rooty tang. We have concocted some recipes that allow you to experience the relaxing benefits of kava. Enjoy!
Kava Colada Recipe
This alcohol-free twist on a piña colada is a playful, tasty way to mask kava’s earthiness. Makes 2 to 3 servings.
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup organic pineapple juice (enough to make 6 pineapple ice cubes)
- 2 Tbsp. organic kava kava powder
- 1/2 cup organic coconut milk
- 1/2 cup organic orange juice
- 6 ice cubes (made from water)
- 1/2 tsp. organic roasted cacao powder
- 2-3 organic orange wedges
Directions
- Freeze pineapple juice in an ice cube tray. A 3/4 cup of juice should make 6 ice cubes, enough for this recipe. Or fill an ice cube tray with 2 cups juice to have leftover pineapple ice cubes for another time.
- Combine kava kava powder, coconut milk, and orange juice in a blender.
- Blend for 5-15 minutes (or whatever your blender can withstand). Supposedly the longer you blend, the stronger kava’s effects will be.
- Add 6 pineapple ice cubes to the blender and 6 ice cubes made from water. Quickly blend to avoid melting the ice.
- Pour in a festive glass. Sprinkle with cacao powder and garnish with an orange wedge.
Note: Powders can have a shorter shelf-life than whole spices. For extra credit (and maximum potency!) use kava kava root and powder yourself in a spice/coffee grinder right before use. Some have ruined their grinders this way, but I found mine was strong enough for the task.
Kava Tea Recipe
This super simple addition of kava kava root to your favorite tea is a tasty way to imbibe this traditional herb.
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp. organic kava kava root
- 1 Tbsp. mint chocolate mate or classic chai(which contain caffeine) or firefly chai (a nice caffeine-free option)
Directions:
- Place tea and kava in our tea travel tumbleror other tea accessory of choice.
- Slowly pour hot (not boiling!) water over tea and let steep 5 to 10 minutes, or until desired strength. I personally like to brew mine for 30 minutes.
- Strain and enjoy!
French Press Kava Recipe
For a purer form dried kava in beverage form, try this option, which can be made with just a couple ingredients.
Ingredients
- 6 Tbsp. - 1 cup organic kava kava powder
- 1/4 - 1 cup organic apple cider (optional)
Directions
- Place desired amount of powdered kava kava (or powder yourself from the root for maximum potency) into a French press or tea press.
- Fill tea press the remainder of the way with hot (not boiling!) water.
- Let sit 20 to 30 minutes. Then press.
- Dilute each cup of liquid with 1/4 cup apple cider if desired (the cider does a good job of hiding the herb’s earthy flavor). Enjoy!
Is Kava Safe?
As with all herbal products, we recommend that you consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, or on any medications. Many report numbing effects from kava, so don't be surprised if it makes your mouth tingle. Kava should always be used in moderation and is not for use by anyone under 18. Consult a qualified healthcare practitioner before use during pregnancy or lactation, if you have liver problems, or are taking any medications. Excessive use, or use with products that cause drowsiness, may impair your ability to operate a vehicle or dangerous equipment.
Don’t Have Time to Make Kava Drinks?
*This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. For educational purposes only.
FAQs
In addition to its ceremonial uses, kava is best known for its relaxing qualities. Kava is said to elevate mood, well being, and contentment, and produce a feeling of relaxation. Several studies have found that kava may be useful in the treatment of anxiety, insomnia, and related nervous disorders.
Is kava considered a drug? ›
Summary. Kava is a drug made from the ground roots of a plant found in the South Pacific. It is taken as a drink, supplement or extract. Long-term kava use may be associated with a range of problems including apathy, weight loss and liver damage.
What kind of high does kava give you? ›
So, can kava create a “high”? The answer is—possibly, but not probably. High doses of kava can produce more intense feelings of euphoria, sedation, and mild intoxication. Regardless, kava is not considered a drug that produces a "high" in the way marijuana or cocaine do.
Is kava legal in the USA? ›
Legal Status of Kava in the United States
At the federal level, kava is not classified as a controlled substance, meaning it is kava legal in the US for general consumption. However, several states have implemented restrictions or bans on its use due to potential health concerns and regulatory issues.
Is Kava Kava safer than alcohol? ›
While the benefits over alcohol seem clear, kava may not be immune to some of the risks that we also find in excess use of alcohol. Kuhn added, “Some research suggests that kava could lead to liver injury.
What does kava kava do to the liver? ›
There are many reasons for liver damage. For one, kava depletes glutathione, a chief antioxidant, within the liver. It also inhibits enzymes involved in the metabolism of many drugs. Many of the cases of liver toxicity were seen in people who had prior liver disease or used alcohol in addition to kava.
Who should not take kava? ›
You should not take kava if you have liver problems, take certain prescription medications (e.g., benzodiazepines) or over-the-counter medications (e.g., Tylenol acetaminophen), drink excessive alcohol, or have certain medical conditions.
Does kava knock you out? ›
It is this experience of peaceful contemplation, regaining control over one's thoughts, that may be behind some of the observed effects of kava on sleep. Kava won't “knock you out” or make you unconscious.
Is kava like CBD? ›
↳ Kava is used to promote relaxation, reduce stress and improve sleep quality. ↳ Different from CBD, kava contains kavalactones that react with certain receptors in the brain to create feelings of relaxation. ↳ If you are looking for all natural options to relax, kava is a great alternative to CBD or THC.
Why was kava banned? ›
Kava is not a controlled substance in the U.S. Due to concerns of liver toxicity, many countries including Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Malaysia, Norway, Poland, Singapore, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom have placed regulatory controls on kava.
Give it 15-20 minutes, then you will begin to feel tensions slowly relax over your body. You should start to feel as if stress and worries are melting away. Eventually, you'll start to feel calmer and happier, even a little euphoric; this feeling is why many people use kava for anxiety.
Can you take kava every day? ›
Although moderate, occasional use is safe for most people, the long-term effects of daily kava consumption remain unclear and require further research. Taking kava every day for an extended period of time is not recommended.
How long does kava high last? ›
Short answer that works for most situations is; after drinking kava, you should begin to feel the effects in about 15 minutes and last about 3 hours. Long answer - The experience will usually peak in the first 30 minutes and last somewhere between 1-4 hours, gradually cooling off over time.
Does kava make you tired the next day? ›
Therefore, in the rare case that you have a hangover from drinking kava, you may feel tired and lethargic the next morning. You may even find it harder to focus. In some cases, you may experience some side effects like nausea, headaches, and so on.
Does kava get you stoned? ›
Kava can induce a sense of well-being, reduce or remove your anxiety, make you more contemplative, increase your awareness of your environment, sharpen your senses in general, or even make you feel like sleeping, but it won't make you "high" unless abused rather drastically.
Does kava show up on a breathalyzer? ›
Unlike alcohol, kava doesn't make you more aggressive, experience brain fog, or have a hangover. Also, kava does not metabolize on the breath in a similar manner to alcohol. So if someone was pulled over for suspected impaired driving, the breathalyzer test will not register any kava consumed.
Why is kava so expensive? ›
Couple this with the devastation caused by Cyclone Winston - which destroyed the bulk of kava plantations in February last year, Cyclone Pam in Vanuatu the year before that and droughts in Tonga, kava prices are skyrocketing with no sign of slowing.
Is kava damaging to the liver? ›
In Europe, there have been more than 30 cases of liver damage possibly associated with kava intake, although this remains controversial. The types of liver damage include hepatitis, cirrhosis, liver failure, and death (31,46–51).
What form of kava is strongest? ›
One of the strongest types of kava is “Green kava.” Green kava is kava made from a freshly harvested kava plant. The roots are juiced and diluted with water, resulting in a strong kava beverage. Most kava drinks are prepared using kava root that is washed and dried post-harvest, then ground into a powder.
Can Christians drink kava? ›
It turns out there aren't really any bad aspects of kava from the Christian perspective.
It is vitally important to discuss kava use with any prescribing physician. Alcohol, other sedatives, muscle relaxants, dopamine, haloperidol, acetaminophen, and benzodiazepines. Taking kava with alcohol, other sedatives, or muscle relaxants can result in additive effects up to and including coma.
Is kava hard on kidneys? ›
Patients suffering from any liver or kidney disease should avoid taking kava. It is best to consult with a health professional before taking any supplements or preparations containing this herb.
Is kava an anti-inflammatory? ›
Studies conducted in animals and laboratories have indicated that kava possesses sedative, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties.
Is it safe to take kava everyday? ›
While kava has been traditionally consumed in moderation, concerns have been raised about the potential risks associated with long-term or excessive use. One of the most significant concerns is the risk of liver toxicity, which has been reported in some individuals who have consumed kava regularly or in high doses.
How much kava to feel euphoria? ›
Suggested kava dosage and effects
| Kava Dosage | Kavalactone Content | Expected Effect* |
|---|
| Low Kava Dosage | 40-180mg | -relaxed and calm* -mild sedation* -muscle relief* |
| High Kava Dosage | 180-250mg+ | -heavy sedation* -euphoria* -drowsiness* |
Kava and mental health
Kava has been explored as a treatment for anxiety disorders – with some studies showing positive results for the short-term relief of symptoms. However, there isn't any strong evidence to suggest it is effective as a long-term treatment and there are concerns around its overall safety.
Why does kava make you happy? ›
Kava kava (“kava” for short) contains substances called kavapyrones. They act much like alcohol on your brain, making you feel calm, relaxed, and happy. The plant is also thought to relieve pain, prevent seizures, and relax muscles.
