FAQs
FAQS:
What is kava?
What are the active compounds in kava?
Is kava legal in Australia?
How does kava affect the body and make you feel?
How long do the effects of kava last?
Are there any side effects to kava?
Can you drive kava while pregnant?
Can kava safe for children?
Can you mix kava with alcohol?
Can you drink kava every day?
What is the maximum dosage of kavalactones per day?
Can you drink kava hot or cold only?
How do you make kava?
Can you be addicted to kava?
What should I avoid while taking kava?
Can you cook with kava or bake kava into food?
What are the cultural uses of kava?
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What is kava?
Kava is a herbal beverage made from mixing water with the ground roots of the Piper methysticum plant, which is part of the pepper family.
The kava plant consist of 5 main components:
1. Lateral Roots (containing the highest kavalactone content)
2. Rhizomes/basal chips (these are peel and sold as basal chips)
3. Skin from the rhizomes (also known as peelings)
4. Basal stem (below the first node)
5. Makas (the residue after preparing traditional kava, can be saved for a second brew)
What are the active compounds in kava?
It is believed that kavalactones, the main constituents of kava are responsiblee for the relaxation properties and other health benefits. The 6 main kavalactones include: Kavain, Methysticin, Yangonin, Dihydrokavain, Dihydromethysticin and Desmethoxyyangonin.
Is kava legal in Australia?
From 1st December 2021, kava is allowed to be commercially imported in to Australia for sale with special permits. It is still illegal for kava to be sold to customers residing in the Northern Territory, Australia.
How does kava affect the body and make you feel?
Kava has been known to produce relaxation and calming effects, reduce anxiety, and promote sleep. Please refer to the scientific studies for more information.
How long do the effects of kava last?
The effects of kava typically last between 1 to 3 hours however this is dependent on the dosage per session. Also it is important to note that each kava variant from different countries also have different strengths in kavalactones. Typically kava found in the mass market is around 5-7% kavalactone strength, however Solomon Kava Feo blends range from 10% - 11.5%.
Are there any side effects to kava?
Side effects vary from person to person, however for new kava drinkers, these include dizziness, drowsiness, headaches, and gastrointestinal issues. Gastrointestinal issues are usually associated with ingesting too much of the physical fibres of the kava, hence we recommend straining your kava well prior to drinking. Our straining bags feature 80 micron nylon mesh and premium straining filters feature 30 microns stainless steel mesh, hence deliver an exceptional clean taste without the grittiness.
Long-term use has been associated with liver damage, however this is normally associated with consuming the 'tudei kava root' instead of the 'noble kava root'. Solomon Kava only sources and provides 100% noble kava root from the Solomon Islands.
Can you drive kava while pregnant?
There is limited evidence on the safety of kava use during pregnancy and breastfeeding, hence kava use is not recommended in this group. Anecdotally back in the villages of Solomon Islands, they also do not recommend pregnant women to consume kava because they believed it made the baby 'move slow'.
Can kava safe for children?
Young people may experience greater psychoactive effects of kava than adults due to lower body weight. Hence is it not recommended for children to consume kava, unless the dosage is reduced and recommended by medical professionals.
Can you mix kava with alcohol?
Can you drink kava every day?
Kava can be safely consumed daily when taken in recommended doses. That being said, the right dosage of kava for your body will depend on a number of factors including: body weight, height, individual sensitivity, history of use, health conditions and medications.
What is the maximum dosage of kavalactones per day?
Can you drink kava hot or cold only?
Under the Australian New Zealand Food Standard Code, kava can currently only be sold as a food if it is a beverage made by mixing kava and cold water only, or in the form of dried or raw kava root. However how you like to consume kava at home is entirely up to you. One suggestion to consumer who would like to mask the bitter, earthy taste is to add some honey or sugar.
You can also enjoy kava warm, but making a kava tea as is, or by adding ginger, and honey. There have been some preliminary studies detailing the synergies between kavalactones and the gingerols found in ginger.
How do you make kava?
Making kava is simple and it starts with having the right tools. We provide kava straining bags and filters for your convenience at Solomon Kava.
If using a straining bag, add kava powder into the bag, pull the toggle to close the bag, add water, knead for 5-10 mins and squeeze out excess water.
If using the premium kava filter, add kava powder into cup A + water. Stir kava and water and thoroughly mixed. Place kava filter into of cup B. Pour liquid from cup A into kava filter and allow the kava to strain and drip through.
Can you be addicted to kava?
There is no evidence to suggest people who regularly drink large doses of kava become dependent. Because of this there doesn't seem to be a risk of withdrawal if a person suddenly stops taking kava. However, medical supervision is recommended.
What should I avoid while taking kava?
When consuming kava, it is essential to avoid consuming at the same time: alcohol,
Can you cook with kava or bake kava into food?
Yes you can cook with kava, however there are few considerations to keep in mind. Kavalactones degrade with increasing heat, so be mindful of what kind of recipes you would like to experiment with. Kava has been used in recipes like kava jelly, kava gummies, kava chocolates, kava ice cream, kava cookies and more. Some people like to mix kava with juice to create a healthy mocktail. Some complementary juices include ginger juice, guava juice, vegetable juices, coconut water, pineapple juice and other tropical flavours.
What are the cultural uses of kava?
Kava has been traditionally used in the Pacific Islands for thousands of years. Kava is often used to mark important events, such as weddings, funerals, and the inauguration of leaders. These ceremonies usually involve the preparation and communal drinking of kava.
Kava is also a social tool to promote relaxation, share stories, conversation and camaraderie.
Kava has also been used for thousands of years as traditional herbal medicine for it's calming and analgesic properties. It is sometimes consumed to alleviate stress, anxiety, and physical pain.