FAQs

What is Kava?

Kava generally refers to a beverage made by preparing the root of the Piper methysticum plant in water. It is also sometimes referred to as kava kava. Kava can also be found in other forms of extractions such as tinctures, oil extracts, or capsules. 

More on the history of kava and it uses can be found here.

 

How will kava affect me?

Kava is a powerful herb for calming and restoring the nervous system, in fact its effect on the nervous system is one of the most potent of any commonly available herbs. It is sometimes compared to the relaxing feelings of alcohol or cannabis –though most people find it much more gentle– however kava has zero negative affect on cognitive function. In fact, it increases mental capabilities for most people! 

It can make you feel sleepy (in a good way) if you drink large amounts (or certain strains), but it is not sedative. It can impart feelings of joy, giddiness, openness, and a calm brightness that can border on euphoric.

More on the affect of kava can be found here.

 

Can you drink kava while pregnant or breastfeeding?

While research has not been done specifically on kava consumption in pregnant or breastfeeding women, we know that in the cultures where kava has been used traditionally for hundreds of years the women generally continue drinking it throughout pregnancy and breastfeeding. That being said, we cannot ensure its safety, and believe every woman should decide for herself is kava is right for her and her baby. (We do know, anecdotally, that many women and nurslings sleep very well after kava ceremonies!)

 

Is it normal for my mouth and tongue to go numb? 

Yes, this is totally normal! In fact, it is one of the ways to know your kava is potent! The sensation, while strange at first, is not harmful, and goes away in about 30 minutes. This effect gives kava its traditional use as an herb for teething babies!

 

Is it true that Kava can cause liver damage?

The short answer is: no. The history behind this myth comes from a period of time where the demand for kava in Europe was incredibly high. Due to this high demand, European kava distributors were encouraging growers on the islands to grow the tudei variety of kava (known to be somewhat toxic) because it matures faster than the noble kava variety, and also encouraged the practice of mixing leaves and stems into the blend of dried, ground kava to bulk it up. It has been well known for hundreds of years that other parts of the kava plant can be toxic and should not be consumed the way the root is. Due to these lapses in quality, around 80 reports of liver failure were claimed to be linked to kava consumption. However, upon investigation by the World Health Organization, it was later found that only a few of these cases could truly be associated with kava consumption, and many of them were cases of individuals who were consuming large quantities of alcohol and other narcotic drugs, in addition to some kava. 

More modern research has shown no link between the consumption of noble kava based products and liver issues, even when consumed at many times the recommended pharmacological dose of active constituents. 

What is an electuary?

An electuary is a blend of honey and powdered herbs which creates a thick paste that can be added directly to hot water or milk for an easy herbal beverage.

While the traditional preparation of kava root for drinking involves massaging the powdered dried root in a fine mesh bag, submerged in water for 30 minutes to an hour, our electuaries can be prepared by simply stirring a spoonful of the mixture straight out of the jar into hot water or milk. 

 

Where does your kava come from?

We source only high quality Noble kava made from the lateral roots grown in Vanuatu.

 

Does kava have medicinal benefits?

Like all herbs, kava does have physiological effects in the body, however we make no claims about the medicinal uses of our products. In the island nations of the South Pacific, where kava is natively grown, the traditional uses for the plant include all sorts of issues stemming from nervous system dysregulation; anxiety, insomnia, depression, exhaustion, and mental fatigue. It is also used to ease minor aches and pains, headaches & arthritis, as well as support certain bronchial symptoms such as shortness of breath or wheezing due to asthma or tuberculosis. Kava is also known to have positive effects on the urinary tract, and was used to support health concerns such as UTIs, kidney issues, and women's reproductive issues.