Kava ( Piper methysticum) has been widely used for centuries throughout the South Pacific for its calming and relaxing properties.
The root of this amazing plant is used to support sleep, relax the body, and calm and soothe the nerves.
Read on to get to know this beautiful tropical plant, and why we love to use it in our formulas (and our daily lives).
Did you know: Kava is related to the New Zealand Kawakawa (Piper excelsum), and you can see the similarities in the heart-shaped leaves. However, these two plants have very different actions in the body.
Where does Kava come from?
Kava is important in many South Pacific cultures. It has been used for health, recreationally, and as part of ceremony, for hundreds of years.
The plant was first domesticated around 3000 years ago, and it is a significant part of the culture in every Pacific Island nation in which it is grown.
It has been used in other parts of the world such as Europe since around the mid-1800s.
Research into this plant has really exploded in the last 30 years, as many realised the huge potential of this plant to help support stress levels and sleep.
Did you know: Many legends surround this sacred plant, and it was so treasured that early Pacific explorers took Kava cuttings with them as they travelled. The spread of Kava is thought to have followed early migration trade routes as far as New Zealand, where it failed to grow (probably too cold!).
How is Kava used?
For cultural use, sun-dried or fresh Kava root is crushed or ground then combined with water and/or coconut milk, which is then filtered before being consumed.
In other parts of the world, Kava is usually extracted using ethanol and/or water when used for its calming properties.
Did you know: The dosage used for health purposes is generally much smaller than what is used in cultural practices.
How can Kava support my health?
Kava nourishes the nervous system naturally, and is one of the most well-researched and fast-acting plants to support feelings of worry, overwhelm, and a good night’s sleep.
It can provide support for busy parents, students, and anyone under stress. In lower doses it:
- Calms tension, stress and worry
- Relaxes a busy mind
- Helps build resilience to stress
- Eases nervous tension
When you increase the dose, Kava can be used to support deep and restorative sleep:
- Supports falling and staying asleep
- Supports night-time recovery in stressful times
- Supports a healthy sleep pattern
- Soothes racing thoughts
- Supports relaxed muscles
Did you know: There are over twenty human studies on Kava for supporting mental health and sleep.
Is Kava safe?
Kava has been used in the Pacific for centuries, but you may have heard it mentioned in association with effects on the liver.
When it became popular in the West in the late 1990s, concerns were raised about the possibility of Kava causing liver toxicity. Until this time Kava extracts had been considered exceptionally well-tolerated – including throughout the Pacific Islands where it has been used daily for hundreds of years.
Researchers started searching for reasons why this plant – which had been used for such a long time – was suddenly causing health concerns.
Research has now shown that the liver concerns were caused by several different issues, including:
- Using the wrong part of the plant (stem peelings) – with Kava you only use the root or rhizome
- Using the wrong or a toxic extraction method such as acetone, rather than water, ethanol, or coconut milk as sometimes used traditionally
- Using the Tudei variety, which can have some undesirable effects (see below for more detail)
This shows how important it is to only take Kava (or any herbs, for that matter!) that is made by a company that you are confident has the expertise, the quality control, and production processes in place to make safe and effective plant formulas.
Today, Noble Kava is a widely accepted, safe and popular health product ingredient used in New Zealand, USA, Australia and many other countries for natural nervous system support.
Did you know: One of Kava’s natural properties is that it produces a slight numbing sensation in the mouth. When you try Kava, noticing this sensation is a good thing, because it means that the product contains good amounts of the kavalactones (the constituents in Kava).
Is all Kava created equal?
Like all plants, there are many different varieties of Kava.
In the Pacific Islands different varieties have specific uses in each island or each island group, some being used only for ceremony, and others only for specific health uses.es.
The two cultivars of Kava most commonly grown are “Noble” and “Tudei”.
While Noble varieties are well-tolerated and contain good levels of compounds that are desired for nervous system support, the Tudei varieties contain some plant chemicals that are toxic and can cause feelings of lethargy and nausea that can last up to two days.
Traditionally, only Noble Kava varieties have been used for cultural and health-based purposes, but because the Tudei variety grows more quickly, it has found its way into the Western market as demand for Kava has increased. It is important to double-check that any products you use contain only Noble Kava.
Did you know: The name “Tudei” kava comes from the effects that can last “two days”.
Why artemis chose to formulate with Kava
artemis specialises in high-strength plant formulas based on traditional remedies which are backed by science.
Kava has a long track record of traditional use underpinned by positive scientific studies, and provides rapid and effective nervous system and sleep support, without any unpleasant ‘morning-after feeling or risk of dependency.
artemis De-Stress Spray is convenient to carry and super easy to take. We love being able to use the De-Stress Spray before a stressful meeting, or in the middle of a tough parenting moment for a quick, calming effect.
With its higher Kava content, artemis Deep Sleep provides effective support for restful sleep and a healthy sleep routine.
At this higher dose of Kava, we recommend checking with your healthcare practitioner first if you are taking sedative or dopaminergic medication. Additionally, as safety data is limited in this dose for people who are pregnant or breastfeeding, we recommend that you err on the side of caution and avoid using it, or you could try artemis Sleep Tea.
Always ensure that the Kava in the product you are using is derived only from Noble Kava root or rhizome. artemis follows stringent quality standards to ensure the De-Stress and Deep Sleep Kava products are effective and well tolerated.
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Always read the label and use as directed. If symptoms persist see your healthcare professional.
Artemis Ltd, Dunedin.