Image: Bula Kava House

Kava-Kava root (Piper methysticum) is a deeply relaxing herb from Polynesian folk medicine.

In the Polynesian islands, Kava culture is about sharing the root drink to create and maintain community.

It is simply prepared from powdered Kava root mixed with water.

Kava tends to make people more social, and it can lead to great in-depth conversations with friends. You can expect:

  • A general improvement in social behavior and feelings of happiness
  • Relaxation of muscles together with a sense of calmness and well being

Kava is a substance that does not lend itself to abuse easily. It is not like alcohol, where the consumer directly feels the effects from drinking it the first time.

Kava also brings no reduction of the mental functions or memory.

The type of settings you create will influence the effects that each user will experience.

Therefore drink Kava in a dark, quiet place. The effects will be better if everything is made for you to relax.

Kava is consumed after sunset in the Pacific Ocean cultures, since the bright light of the afternoons can become uncomfortable for the eyes after drinking Kava.

Effects of Kava Kava

  • Kava has a sedating effect and is consumed mostly for relaxing without losing any mental clarity
  • The effects of Kava are relaxing, not stupefying, and the plant makes users more sociable
  • Kava relaxes both the mind and the muscles. Kava is a very good muscle relaxant
  • In larger doses, Kava promotes sleep. It has been proven by the German Commission E to be a cure for insomnia
  • It mitigates anxiety, depression, and sleeplessness. In some cases it can also relieve depression
  • A dose of 400 mg of kavain already improves vigilance and reaction time
  • Kava’s anti-anxiety effectiveness does not diminish over time, which means you will be using the same dosage in a year from now.
  • Kava can make the user feel drowsy. This is because the kavalactones produce a soporific action, but unlike opioids, they do not cause addiction.
  • However, never drink alcohol 3 days before and after Kava – it is said to be extremely bad for the liver.

Kava as a medicine

Kava is used medicinally for urinary tract infections, vaginitis, cystitis, prostatis and sexually transmitted diseases like gonorrhea (in the islands where Kava is consumed regularly, the rate of gonorrhea is very low)

Kava is also known as a detoxifier

How long does Kava last?

For the Kava effects to be felt properly, some time must pass for the kavalactones to build up in the body.

The first time Kava is consumed, the effects may only be felt slightly, and will increase after several Kava drinking sessions.

Kava takes about 30 minutes to get into your body, and its effects peak around 1 h later  – therefore 1.5 h after drinking. The effects remain for 1–2 hours before fading.

A new Kava shell is consumed every hour or so to maintain the effects.

As more more Kava is consumed, the effects tend to become greater and greater with the need to consume less of it.

There are also other herbs (kava potentiators) that you can use to make Kava last longer.

Noble vs. Tudei Varieties

The most basic of classification of Kava is by its phytochemical profile variety – Noble or Tudei:

1. Noble Kava varieties are much more subtle than Tudei varieties and are the most popular. Always make sure to purchase a Noble variety – just do not buy Tudei Kava, unless you’re really looking for a cheaper alternative. The main Noble Kava varieties are: Borogu (Vanuatu), Borongoru (Vanuatu), Loa Waka (Fiji), Melomelo (Vanuatu), Pouni Ono (Tonga), Samoan Ava (Samoa), Vula Waka (Fiji).

2. Tudei Kava varieties are used medicinally in the countries where Kava originates from, and produce negative side-effects such as headaches and nausea. The effects of Tudei Kava can persist for two days days and are not what you are looking for if you want the relaxing and euphoric effects of the plant. The main Tudei varieties are: Tarvarus (Vanuatu), Nisginekrai (Vanuatu), Raro (Vanuatu), Rongrongwul (Vanuatu), Gawoboe (Vanuatu), Sulusulu (Vanuatu).

Kavalactones and Kava Chemotypes

There are dozens of different cultivars, or  strains of Kava. Their chemotype is what determines the effects of your Kava plant.

The active ingredients found in Kava roots are phytochemicals called kavalactones that are responsible for the relaxing, sedative or euphoric effects.

There are about 18 kavalactones in Kava, but among these 18, 6 kavalactones are the most important, and have been assigned a number:

  1. DMY – Demethoxyyangonin
  2. DHK – Dihydrokavain
  3. Y – Yangonin
  4. K – Kavain
  5. DHM – Dihydromethysticin
  6. M – Methysticin (M)

Depending on how much of each kavalactone is present will determine the effects of your Kava strain. For example, a chemotype high in yangonin (3), and lowest in kavain (4) will look like this: 321564.

The first three numbers in the Kava code are the most important (they determine 70% of the effects).

Examples:

  • Kavas that are higher in DHK (2) and Methysticin (6) make you feel very relaxed and heavy and are preferred by people who need to reach deep levels of relaxation and sleep. They should be avoided if using Kava socially
  • Cultivars high in DHK (2) and DHM (5) tend to produce negative effects such as nausea. Thus Tudei kavas can come with a code such as 256431, with an intoxication that can last 48 hours. That’s why it is called Tudei (two-days), because of its long lasting negative effects
  • Others such as the popular Kelai Kava cultivar (code 426135) are the opposite, and have very pleasant effects, because of its high levels of kavain (4) and methysticin (6).
  • Kavas that have more of an effect on the mind and produce euphoric effects are highest in yangonin (3) and kavain (4). They are less sedative and are the best types of kava to support creative work.
  • Two kavalactones in particular, kavain and dihydrokavain cause numbness of mouth, throat and lips – it functions like an anesthetic
  • Here is a full list of the 75 Kava strains

Best Kava strains

When looking for Kava powder, you will find either single-origin Kava strains (that contain just one cultivar), or Kava blends, where the seller buys any Kava they can get more easily and blend it together into a new product.

Most of the Kava powders sold online are blends, with names like “Tongan Reserve,” “Fijian Kava”, “Premium Vanuatu” or “Solomon Islands Kava.” You will have to try one by one to find the best for you, or rely on online reviews…

Single-origin strains examples include: Loa Waka, Borongoru, Pouni Ono, Borogu, Melomelo, Samoa Ava. Waka, Boroguru and Melomelo are moderately potent and not too stimulating.

Kava blends can be as good as single-origin Kava powders, however there’s a lot of variation from one batch to the next because the cultivars used to make it can change throughout the year.

How to prepare Kava

Traditional method

The typical Kava recipe uses one tablespoon of Kava root powder to one cup of water.

Start with a small amount and gradually increase the dosage, then listen to your body.

Image source: Kalm with Kava

  • Knead and strain Kava powder into lukewarm water. Use a bag made of cheesecloth material
  • 1 to 2 ounces of Kava root powder is enough per person, depending on the Kava strain or blend
  • Place the powder into the bag plunge it into the bowl of water
  • Use about an ounce of Kava to a quart of water
  • Knead the powder inside the water. The more kavalactone resin in your batch, the more oily it will feel
  • The water should start to look like mud.

Finding your Kava Equipment

How to drink Kava

Traditionally, Kava is drunk from a coconut shell and swallowed all at once.

  • Space servings at least 10 minutes apart
  • The potency of Kava will differ whether it is consumed on a full or empty stomach
  • Some people add coconut milk to help dissolve the root powder
  • We recommend adding Turmeric or Trikatu to enhance the absorption of Kava and get maximal results

Best Kava Drinks Recipes

Image: Roots of Happiness Kava

Other Methods

Instant and Micronized Kava

Kava paste

Some brands make a concentrated Kava paste produces the strongest effects, since the product is highly concentrated.

Kava capsules

We do not recommend to use Kava capsules. It is a well-known herbal medicine principle that you should feel the taste of the plant on your tongue, otherwise you lose many of the effects. Capsules bypass the taste buds and therefore are less efficient.

Usage and Dosage

  • Daily dose of Kava is around 70-210 mg of kavalactones
  • For sleep, take 150-200 mg of kavalactones 30-60 min before sleep
  • You should not take Kava more than 3-4 days a week
  • Take a one-week pause every month.

Kava Brands Reviews

Our favorite brands

Kava Side Effects

Side effects which appear when taking excessively large amounts of Kava daily (normal levels of Kava do not produce adverse effects):

  • Apathy, lack of muscle control
  • Increased diuresis and renal dysfunction
  • Eyes bloodshots – redness of the eyes
  • Sick stomach feelings

Warnings

  • Do not drive or operate machinery after taking Kava
  • Kava should never be used with any types of medications (prescription and non-prescription), especially with anti-anxiety medications such as barbiturates – it is known to have serious adverse effects.

Kava and Alcohol

Kava vs Kratom

Kava is sometimes compared to Kratom, although the effects are widely different – spoiler: Kratom is an addictive opioid while Kava is much safer

List of Kava bars in the USA