Sleep (or lack of it) is a major concern for a large segment of the population. Many of us live in a hectic, stress-filled world which contributes to our inability to calm down and get a good night's rest. Of all the natural sleep aides available, perhaps none are as potentially helpful as kava kava.

Kava has been in use for thousands of years, and despite rigorous modern-day testing, no solid evidence has proved that there are any side effects from properly prepared kava. On the other hand, there is ample evidence that supports already established knowledge that kava is a wonderful sleep supplement.

Throughout the South Pacific, Islanders employ kava as a calmative, and in many kava-consuming regions it is used prior to important political and tribal meetings to promote smooth waters for negotiations and respectful observances. Both in these formal ceremonies and informal gatherings, kava is customarily consumed in the evening as a relaxing social beverage.

Kava is a magical plant that supports calm and relaxation. Like many herbs that support healthy sleep, kava kava's effects are gradual in nature. Kava gives you a sleepy feeling without knocking you out and without making you "dull" and unfocused. You'll remain alert and focused, able to think and remember clearly until you drift off into gentle slumber*.

Kava has long been known to have a relaxing effect on the body, but more and more people are using kava to ease the stresses of modern-day life. It's no wonder that kava is many people's preferred "night cap," as it can calm you down and prepare you for a night of restful sleep*. In fact, as long ago as 1979, modern science proved that kava's active ingredient, kavalactones, produced drowsiness in people.

One of the great things about kava use is that it does not lose its efficacy over time. This simply means that if you take kava on a regular basis, you will never have to take larger doses of kava to achieve the same result. Kava has been used for centuries in traditional homeopathic medicine to treat conditions such as insomnia, extreme states of anxiety, stress, excitation and exhaustion.

Kava can be used in a number of different forms as an effective sleep aid. The most common way to take kava is to prepare a kava-based drink. We have a number of delicious kava instant drinks here at Kona Kava Farm, all of which use our organically grown, very rich strain of kava. Try the tasty chai or a soothing kava-infused cocoa! For the purist, we also offer powdered root that can be used to make a traditional kava drink.

Many people simply enjoy the calming ritual of preparing kava before bedtime. Just as the exercise of brewing a cup of hot tea or warm milk can be relaxing, preparing and sipping a cup of kava before bed can put you in a more contemplative frame of mind. In particular, the multi-step process of mixing, brewing, and straining a drink from unprocessed kava root can be quite meditative and an effective sleep ritual all by itself!

These kinds of nighttime rituals can markedly improve your quality of sleep. Setting aside an hour or so of quiet time before bed allows your mind to unwind and let go of the thoughts of the day, which can otherwise keep you awake. It's also wise to limit your caffeine and alcohol intake throughout the day, as both can interfere with falling asleep and may result in a lighter, less satisfying sleep. Lastly, your environment definitely plays a role in your quality of sleep: it may be easier to fall asleep in a space that is tidy, dark and cool; removing electronics and other sources of ambient light and noise are also easy ways to ensure that you sleep better, longer, and wake up feeling refreshed!

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to cure, treat, diagnose, or prevent any disease.