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Kava plant
Kava drink is traditionally drunk from coconut shell cups. New drinkers are generally advised to start with 2 shells. The number of shells one can have is basically up to individuals but usually the body will let you know that it has had enough.
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As a species:
The Kava, Piper methysticum, is a tropical evergreen shrub belonging to the pepper family (Piperaceae). It is thought to be most likely domesticated from its wild variant (cousin) the Piper wichmanii. Kava was not brought into melanesia, but rather "discovered" and domesticated, a process which might have helped in creating the 80 or more varieties present in Vanuatu. Some of these nobles of kava then found their way eastward to polynesia and westward/northward to Papua New Guinea and micronesia through migration and trade.
In New Zealand a member of the Piperacaea family also exist, called the Macropiper excelsum, more commonly known by its maori name "kawa Kawa", which reflects its bitter taste and its resemblance to its tropical relative Piper Methysticum (Kava). Kawa kawa is also a popular maori medicinal plant. Kawa kawa is not noble kava and is not used as such.
As a drink:
The Pacific beverage from the plant, also referred to by the same name - Kava, comes from its ground basal and lateral organs. The ground "mash" is mixed with water and strained through coconut fibre (muslin cloth is a better substitute), stripping the insoluble active ingredients (Kava lactones) off the fibrous rootstock, resulting in the kava infusion. The beverage has been used in ceremonial and social occasions for centuries throughout the Pacific.
The taste:
Dried milled or pounded kava, which is what we and other e-shops sell, is more of a kava tea than "fresh green kava" and therefore the taste is not at all unpleasant, just a bit peppery. Experienced kava drinkers will immediately guage the strength of the brew by the taste alone. Obviously fresh kava will have that green harsher taste than what our customers will experience.
Vanuatu kava products taste better as it is required by law that all commercially processed kava must come from peeled basal organs. Removing the skin results in a huge reduction in bitterness (the excessive bitterness in the skin is the plants natural defence against desease and foraging animals).
The effects:
Visitors to Pacific's kava drinking nations will usually try atleast one shell. This will not give that euphoric feeling but rather the more local mouth and tongue numbing effect. The effect is due to two local anesthetic active incredients of kava called kavain and the dihydrokavain. It is an unavoidable course to the kava euphoria.
Open Sesame:
Kava is a magical plant that does not lend itself to abuse. The taste and numbing effects of the mouth, tongue and stomach instantly weeds out those who are just in for a quick fix. Kava euphoria comes to you, not the other way round. I find that if you are genuine and paid your dues to the Kava "Gods" (ie. giving kava a fair go and gone through a few instructed sessions) then the door of 3000 years of enjoyment will be opened unto you.
The Kava εuphoria:
Kava euphoria is not comparable to a high or drunk feelings of other social brews. You are relaxed and the mind becomes clearer. You have an uncomparably subtle buzzy feeling that is enhanced in an environment of low lighting, and lower decibels. The background can still be filled with low volume easy-listening or classical music. Good quality kava can only be enjoyed if the consumer also pays detailed attention to their session setting. A quiet and peaceful conversation with friends (and even enemies) will run its course, that even your most difficult issues can be given a good deciphering. A good nite sleep follows and you wake up the next day feeling good about yourself and your friends and ready to go to work.
Above is my take on it but here is a summation from the research "experts": Kava induces a state of relaxation without interfering with cognition, memory or alertness.... Yes they said it all in one line...bugger!!
Kava in medicine:
Research has substantiated claims that kava can be effective in relieving anxiety, restlessness and sleeplessness. The calming and muscle relaxing effect has been proven to be effective on treating stress-related symptoms such as muscle tension or spasm without any side effects. Use kava instead of prescription antianxiety drugs, such as benzodiazepines and tricyclic antidepressants, but not to be taken with/alongside these prescription drugs.
We never advise taking alcohol with kava.
In the Pacific kava is used to treat a wider range of ailments. Presently most of these are yet to be subject to scientific verification. Research is ongoing and with time kava might just prove it has a lot to contribute to modern medicine.
The legality of kava:
Kava is perfectly legal for sale in New Zealand. Internationally, there have been a few isolated scares that caused the 2002 ban on kava products in food and mecidine (found to be due to pharmaceutical companies fluttering their mighty wings). At that time those in the know, and since then even Prince Charles, have questioned the wisdom of that action. Last year, 2008, the EU finally lifted the ban on kava use in food and medicine. Below is the good news from the ABC updated Thu Nov 13, 2008 3:16pm AEDT:
"The ban on kava in European countries, imposed six years ago has been lifted. It took a 10-day roundtable consultation in Berlin with International Kava Executive Council representatives, Pacific Island ambassadors and European Commission leaders to achieve the breakthrough. The chairman of Fiji's Kava Council, Ratu Josetaki Nawalowalo says the decision will mean Pacific island nations can resume trade with the E-U".
Our last word:
If you are going to use kava as medication, please consult your doctor. We at JustPacific Trading promote Vanuatu kava as an alternative to your usual social brews. Give kava a good go, say once a week, for a month, following our tested instructions. Engage in a quality kava session with friends or enjoy it at home after work in the company of your family. With time you will realize the goodness and wellness supporting properties of a plant that has been enjoyed by many generations of Pacific peoples. This is a brew that has been domesticated and used for over a thousand years, its safety record is written in the lives of many Pacific peoples that enjoy it daily. Kava is a brew that gives you a healthier inner being, working wonders to tired aching bodies, to reinvigorating and recallibrating the mind. |
About-Kava
