 |
When
most people refer to kava, they are actually referring
to the root of the kava plant. The kava root is where
the most potent active ingredients (kavalactones) lie,
and the highest quality kava extract will only utilize
pure kava root. You want to steer clear of kava that
utilizes stems and peelings, as they will not produce
the desired effects and may possibly be linked to liver
damage. At Kona Kava Farm, every single one of our
products is made with only the kava root, harvested from
our all-natural organic family farm, and aged for more
than four years to ensure maximum potency.
In traditional homeopathic medicine, kava root is used
to treat such conditions as extreme states of excitation
and exhaustion. Muscle relaxation, analgesic and local
anesthetic properties, anti-anxiety and sleep inducement
have all been pharmacologically demonstrated in the kava
roots, depending on the preparation, dosage and delivery
method.
All across the South Pacific, kava root is used in a
ceremonial fashion, a practice that dates back thousands
of years. Today in Hawaii, Fiji, Samoa and Vanuatu,
drinking kava functions as a greeting for guests, as a
component of tribal negotiations, and as part of social
evening get-togethers.
Items used in the preparation of the kava root have
included shells, bowls, mortars and various drinking
vessels throughout the ages. Large, round wooden bowls
frequently featuring carved legs often in the shape of a
human, are to this day used in ceremonial preparation of
kava. Strings made of coconut fiber are used to attach
cowrie shells to the kava bowls of the chiefs for
magical protection. In Samoa, the king’s vessel, or the
"wa ni tanoa" as it’s known locally, is decorated with
gold cowrie, the symbol of the ruler’s office.
In Fiji they use halved coconut shells as drinking
vessels, and often the resin residue of the drink clings
to the inside of the coconut, giving its sides a
glasslike finish. This layer is often scraped off and
ingested as an especially potent form of kava. On Hawaii
and the other Polynesian islands, ritual kava drinking
vessels are made from calabash gourds.
For those who are interested in preparing kava
traditionally, try our powdered kava root. The strain of
kava root that we use is called Mahakea, and it is known
for its extreme potency. It's got the most sought-after
426 Kavalactone chemo-type, and is available in
quantities of .5 pound, one pound, and 1.5 pounds.
At home, making a blended drink with our dried kava root
is extremely simple. Just put two to four tablespoons of
the powder into your blender, and choose your favorite
juice or milk product to blend with it. We like coconut
milk or pineapple juice, but you can also use regular
milk, chocolate milk, or other fruit juices.
Whether you use our tasty kava chai or the regular
powdered root, all you need to do is strain the blended
mixture, and enjoy! Your kava drink is a potent way to
start the day, or a soothing way to cap it off. If you
have a social event to attend, try drinking a kava
beverage beforehand and see how much more relaxed and
sociable you'll be. We've also got plenty of
mouth-watering recipes on our website for kava drinks
such as the Cocoa, the Lemon-Lime Kava, and the Cocoa
Kava. If you've come up with a delicious recipe, we'd
love to hear about it! |
