All about kava

Kava is the name of the plant, root, and drink made from the root of piper methysticum or intoxicating pepper. The people of Oceania consider kava sacred and have been drinking it ceremonially, socially, and medicinally for over 3,000 years.

The People of Samoa have gone as far to call kava "The God Like Drink" for its intoxicating properties. These properties are caused by a series of active ingredients found only in the kava plant called kavalactones. Ingestion of kavalactones produces a mild euphoria, muscle relaxation, and relief of anxiety. Kava has been praised for its efficacy while causing no chemical addiction and few unwanted side effects. European mainstream doctors have in fact been known to prescribe kava capsules to patients suffering from such ailments as insomnia and anxiety.

Traditionally, kava is used as an alternative to alcohol and is prepared as a murky, earthy tasting liquid. This kava drink is made by mixing either fresh or dried ground kava root with water, then straining. Two or three eight ounce servings of a strong kava brew are typically enough to cause a pleasant effect on the drinker.

Because of the environmental conditions necessary to grow the kava plant this intoxicating brew took a long time to reach the Western World. Luckily, kava bars have been sprouting up across the U.S. for the past few years from Portland to Ft. Lauderdale allowing more and more Americans to see why this concoction has been so popular for so long to the people of Oceania.

For those not lucky enough to live near a kava bar, there is the option to buy kava online. There are a few reputable vendors out there that sell kava powder that is fresh, has been allowed to mature, and is made from the root only. These are the most important factors when purchasing kava for home preparation. As luck would have it. it is ever increasingly easier for folks to enjoy this God Like Drink.