Your Illustrated Guide to Kava | Bula Kava House

YOUR ILLUSTRATED GUIDE TO BULA KAVA KAVA HOUSE WHAT IS KAVA? [kah-vuh] is a shrub grown throughout Oceania. The aromatic roots of kava or Piper methysticum, of the pepper family, are used to make an intoxicating beverage. Kava is an integral part of the religious and social traditions of island culture, and the source of much mysticism and lore. WHAT'S IN IT? DRIED KAVA ROOT CONTAINS: WHAT ARE KAVALACTONES? 43% starch, 20% dietary fiber, 6-15% kavalactones, 12% water, 3.2% sugars, 3.6% protein, 3.2% minerals The main active ingredients found in kava are lactone compounds called kavalactones. Kavalactones are thought to affect the central nervous system and have various effects R. including muscle relaxation, anesthetic properties, and anti-anxiety and stress. There are over 100 different cultivars of kava, many of which contain varying amounts of the different the general structure of kavalactones kavalactone chemotypes, therefore different strains of kava will often cause varying effects on the drinker. WHERE'S IT FROM? Kava originated from the Republic of Vanuatu in the South Pacific. Kava was traditionally used ceremonially, socially, medicinally, and for trade in much of the South Pacific. While the largest amount of kava is grown in Vanuatu, kava is also grown in the Pacific islands of Hawaii, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, the Samoas, and Tonga. the flag of Vanuatu, the largest producer of kava worldwide WHY TRY KAVA? CAN HELP PROVIDE A RESTFUL NIGHT'S SLEEP Used for over 3000 years, kava acts as a social drink alternative to alcohol. SOME USE IT TO TREAT Kava, which is non-addictive, produces no "hangover" effect like alcohol. Mental clarity is retained, with little chance of unwanted side effects. ANXIETY KNOWN TO CALM DRINKERS NON- ADDICTIVE HOW DO YOU PREPARE IT? Traditionally, kava preparation meant chewing the tough fresh kava root into a pulp, spitting it onto a leaf, and then straining water through the pulp. When you visit a kava bar in Vanuatu today, the kava will have typically been made by manually grinding the fresh root, mixing it with water and straining the liquid through a fine mesh. Some people also take kava through capsules or as a paste. SIMPLE STEPS TO PRÉPARE KAVA: WHAT YOU NEED: 1. For one part kava, use three to four parts water. 2. Pour water that is warm to the touch (not hot) into a large bowl. water 3. Put the dry kava in a strainer bag and immerse the bag in water. mixing bowls 4. Knead and squeeze the kava for about 10-15 minutes while applying a lot of pressure. 5. Squeeze the kava as dry as possible before discarding the separated pulp. a strainer bag serving bowl 6. Enjoy your kava beverage! SOURCES www.kava.com| www.1hourbreak.com www.webmd.com | livertox.nih.gov/KavaKava.htm WWW.BULAKAVAHOUSE.COM