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Although there is a lot
hype and rumor about Tudei Kava, the facts are out there
and we want to help clarify some of the misconceptions
surrounding this Kava variety. Tudei (pronounced:
Two-day) Kava is a potent form of the Kava plant (Piper
Methysticum), grown in Hawaii and in the South Pacific.
Tudei Kava is also known as Isa Kava or Palisi Kava on
the island of Papua New Guinea. On the South Pacific
island republic of Vanuatu, where many different Kava
types are grown, it’s considered a ‘Noble’ strain of
Kava. The noble strains of Kava are regulated
by strict laws and farming ordinances that insure that
only the best Kava plants are cultivated with close
adherence to organic growing procedures and used in Kava
drinks.
Tudei Kava (like the
Mahakea strain that we offer here at Kona Kava Farm) is
known for its high kavalactone content and its
stability when converted into root powders and various
other extracts. It gets its name from reports that
its effects may last as long as 'two days,’ but the
legend is larger than the actual truth, though for this
strain.
There are many
misconceptions about Tudei kava and the kavalactone
alkaloids present in the roots, namely that kavalactones
can cause liver damage. Recent studies conducted by the
renowned German scientists Rolf Gebhardt and Mathias
Schmidt have proven that kavalactones are safe and will
not cause liver damage. Using the colorimetric standard
MTT assay to determine potential toxicity levels, Rolf
and Schmidt tested the six most prevalent kavalactone
compounds (kavain, dihydrokavain, methysticin,
dihydromethysticin, yangonin, and desmethoxy-yangonin)
which are found in Tudei Kava as well as the Mahakea
Kava offered at Kona Kava Farm. These six compounds are
the active ingredients that should be found in any
legitimate kava root powders, extracts, tinctures,
elixirs, pastes and drinks. Unfortunately, they often
are not, and many packaged commercial kava available at
your local health food store or pharmacy are part of
what has given Kava such a bad name.
Rolf and Schmidt concluded
that when these kavalactone compounds are taken there
were no signs of cytotoxicity observed. In other words,
the study proved that Tudei Kava and other kava extracts
were in no way harm to the human liver, especially when
recommended dosage levels were taken. In Rolf and
Schmidt’s own words: “liver cell toxicity in a relevant
dosage range could not be detected for standardized.”
(Read more about this
topic on Makaira's
Kava and Liver Damage blog post.)
So
what does all of this mean for you? Basically, this
means that you can rest assured if you are considering
using Kava, whether it’s our highest-tested-potency
Mahakea Kava or the less potent, but still
widely-available Tudei Kava, that you can enjoy it with
confidence. Additional studies conducted by Yadhu N.
Singh, found that the daily tradition of aboriginal
South Pacific islanders consuming kava drinks that were
frequently more than twice as potent as commercially
available Kava drinks resulted in no ill or adverse
liver reactions occurred throughout their lives. Makaira and her family have
generations of Kava drinkers who can attest to this as
well.
In conclusion, Tudei Kava
is as safe and effective as other varieties of Kava.
Aboriginal South Pacific islanders have been drinking
potent kava drinks for thousands of years with no
reports of adverse liver damage or other problems. Kava
has been cultivated and refined over many years to
produce the desired effects it is now so wells known for,
stress relief, relaxation, calmness and easing social
inhibitions. Although we used to offer Tudei Kava, our
Mahakea Kava is not only proven to be more potent, we
have the rare and unique Kavalactone lineup of 4-2-6,
which makes this often bitter root, far more palatable
and “sweeter” than any other Kava variety.
Enjoy with confidence and
especially with all the benefits that this wonderful
plant has to offer.
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