Kava Kava, ‘awa, ‘ava, yagona, sakau, methystine pepper (Piper methysticum) are just a few names by which this unique plant is known. For over 3000 years, the people of the Pacific Ocean islands have been using its properties in healing, rituals and social gatherings. The culture of drinking Kava has already left its native islands: Vanuatu, Tonga, Micronesia, Fiji, Samoa, French Polynesia, Hawaii and is conquering the whole world.
Kava belongs to the pepper family. The adult plant is a shrub reaching up to 4.5 m in height, with large, heart-shaped leaves. Although it develops male and female flowers, seed setting is very rare. Kava is most often bred in a vegetative way, which means that the offspring are genetically identical to the parent organism. This allows our growers to maintain a continuous quality of crops, thanks to which the Kavaha brand can be proud of the highest quality of its products.
The cuttings of new shrubs are 15-20 cm fragments of low or young stems separated from the roots during harvesting. After planting, the breeding is conducted for 3-5 years, only then the Kava roots develop the right qualities.
Kava Kava shrubs only grow in well drained, loose soils that provide continuous air access to the roots. In addition, development is helped by gentle shading, temperature from 21 to 35oC, relative humidity up to 100% and annual rainfall over 2000 mm.
In Kava’s homeland, its plantation is a matter of honour for the whole family. Small, independent farmers represent the vast majority of growers. Labour intensive, manual cultivation, often on higher ground, is the basis of their existence and is also a source of prestige among the local community.
Back to the roots
Why are Kavaha products made only from selected roots? Because it is the roots that contain the most active substances – kavalactones >. Kavalactones are characterised by the ease at which they cross the blood-brain barrier. After consuming the drink, the maximum concentration of these compounds in the brain appears after 45 minutes.
The synergy of the 6 kavalactones, which constitutes 96% of all lactones present, is responsible for the unique action of Kava Kava. Among them we find demethoxyyangonin, dihydrokavain, yangonin, kavain, dihydromethysticin and methysticin.
In addition, the action is supported by 12 other smaller lactones, which account for 4% of the total weight of kavalactones, as well as a small amount of alkaloids and kavain derivatives called flavokavains.
Kavaha is the highest quality Kava roots product. Their actions can improve mood and stimulate eloquence. Additionally, they have a calming effect and can create a blissful state of mind. They are a perfect natural ally in relieving anxiety and insomnia.
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