Kava Fact of the Day Kava - Traditional Kava

[The Kap'n]

We speak about kava the plant, kava the drink, kava the supplement, and the word “traditional” is used quite often among them. What does that mean when we say “traditional kava”?

Kava has been consumed as a medicinal, social, and ceremonial beverage for upwards of 2500 years (Lebot et al. 1993) with little to no impact on health. Only recently have we begun to see different versions of kavalactone products such as kava candies, sodas, and liquid or powdered concentrated extracts. Micronized kava also falls among this new class of “kava” (Lindstrom 2009). It is worth it to note that we have also been seeing vaporization and/or smoking products regarding kavalactones becoming available (Varlet 2016).

It’s important for us to understand that these products are not what we refer to when we talk about traditional kava, or, for that matter, kava in general. When speaking of kava, we’re speaking of Piper Methysticum rhizomes crushed/powdered, mixed with water, agitated, and strained. This definition has been accepted for the kava beverage for the duration of its existence, and it’s important that we continue to recognize it as such.

When we speak of the safety of kava, we’re speaking of the safety record of kava being consumed in this manner for thousands of years. Western countries had seen instances of injuries in the early 2000s, and it is thought that the different methods of extractions, and poor product quality may explain the additional toxicity (Whitton et al. 2003). We don’t see instances of these injuries today, however it is vitally important that we continue to refer to kava as the traditional definition, and kava products as “kavalactone products” in order to maintain this separation in terms of product quality and safety.


Lebot, V., M. Merlin, and L. Lindstrom. 1993. “Kava: The Pacific Drug. Psychoactive Plants of the World.” The Quarterly Review of Biology 68 (4): 629–30.
https://doi.org/10.1086/418411.

Lindstrom, Lamont. 2009. “Kava Pirates in Vanuatu?” International Journal of Cultural Property 16 (03): 291–308. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0940739109990208.

Varlet, V. 2016. “Drug Vaping: From the Dangers of Misuse to New Therapeutic Devices.” Toxics 4 (4).
https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics4040029.

Whitton, Peter A., Andrew Lau, Alicia Salisbury, Julie Whitehouse, and Christine S. Evans. 2003. “Kava Lactones and the Kava-Kava Controversy.” Phytochemistry 64 (3): 673–79.
https://doi.org/10.1016/s0031-9422(03)00381-9.

 

[Groggy]

Kava has been consumed as a medicinal, social, and ceremonial beverage for upwards of 2500 years (Lebot et al. 1993) with little to no impact on health. Only recently have we begun to see different versions of kavalactone products such as kava candies, sodas, and liquid or powdered concentrated extracts. Micronized kava also falls among this new class of “kava” (Lindstrom 2009). It is worth it to note that we have also been seeing vaporization and/or smoking products regarding kavalactones becoming available (Varlet 2016).

I think this needs to go a step further. I don't believe these extracts merrit the name kava at all. It should be adopted as Piper Methysticum extract or as you mentioned, kavalactone extract. It's misleading (and arrogant) to name it kava, it's a slap in the face to the tradition of 2+ milenia and countless generations.

Having said that, I am not against kava cadies and things of that nature but I do believe there is a line, for me anyway, as to what constitutes a safe extract.

 

[The Kap'n]

I think this needs to go a step further. I don't believe these extracts merrit the name kava at all. It should be adopted as Piper Methysticum extract or as you mentioned, kavalactone extract. It's misleading (and arrogant) to name it kava, it's a slap in the face to the tradition of 2+ milenia. and countless generations.

Having said that, I am not against kava cadies and things of that nature but I do believe there is a line, for me anyway, as to what constitutes a safe extract.

It's important that we classify them separately. If we had done this from the beginning there would be far less confusion surrounding kava safety. When we speak about those instances in 1998-2002 you can count on one hand how many were tied to traditional kava consumption, and even those are riddled with holes where causation can't be inferred directly. Kava, the real definition, is safe and always has been.

 

[Groggy]

It's important that we classify them separately. If we had done this from the beginning there would be far less confusion surrounding kava safety. When we speak about those instances in 1998-2002 you can count on one hand how many were tied to traditional kava consumption, and even those are riddled with holes where causation can't be inferred directly. Kava, the real definition, is safe and always has been.Like in any market

I agree unfortunately we are not the only group that spreads awareness about kava so it needs to be a community effort. As we all know, there are a few players that don't care about tradition. For some people, it's all about the bottom line.

We already know what happens when one group tries to establish a standard, although initially with good intentions.

It comes down to individuals educating themselves and making better decisions.

 

[The Kap'n]

It comes down to individuals educating themselves and making better decisions.

100% agree. If our past serves as evidence I know forcing a statute is unattainable. I believe it truly boils down to lack of pertinent information. Let's educate

 

[kavakarma]

Thank you very much. For sharing this, I feel the same way. When I saw your photo of extracts and variants I thought, "Bunk!"

One time I bought Kava Dabs at a headshop, promising 70% kavalactone extract from a company called Kava King. There was probably no kava in this product. It was meant to be vapourised, I didn't know that, I thought I could eat it.It was insoluble, indigestible, ineffective, and when I tried smoking it it made plumes of smoke and floored me for about forty seconds exactly, and when I stood up I decided that would be my last experience with that product, and it was.

You are right, that product should be labeled kavalactone extract. The company Kava King would be considered blasphemous in Tonga. They probably lack education on the root and its traditions, and I'm sure they don't drink or sell any real kava. Speculation aside, Piper Methysticum extract is a good way to label,and it sounds great to label extract process as well. Ethanol extracted, ect.

Bulakavahouse has no problem labeling their extract as CO2 kava paste and they are sold out all day.

Kava refers to the plant, its roots, and the beverage made traditionally with water.

Only.

 

[Alia]

View attachment 11858​

We speak about kava the plant, kava the drink, kava the supplement, and the word “traditional” is used quite often among them. What does that mean when we say “traditional kava”?

Kava has been consumed as a medicinal, social, and ceremonial beverage for upwards of 2500 years (Lebot et al. 1993) with little to no impact on health. Only recently have we begun to see different versions of kavalactone products such as kava candies, sodas, and liquid or powdered concentrated extracts. Micronized kava also falls among this new class of “kava” (Lindstrom 2009). It is worth it to note that we have also been seeing vaporization and/or smoking products regarding kavalactones becoming available (Varlet 2016).

It’s important for us to understand that these products are not what we refer to when we talk about traditional kava, or, for that matter, kava in general. When speaking of kava, we’re speaking of Piper Methysticum rhizomes crushed/powdered, mixed with water, agitated, and strained. This definition has been accepted for the kava beverage for the duration of its existence, and it’s important that we continue to recognize it as such.

When we speak of the safety of kava, we’re speaking of the safety record of kava being consumed in this manner for thousands of years. Western countries had seen instances of injuries in the early 2000s, and it is thought that the different methods of extractions, and poor product quality may explain the additional toxicity (Whitton et al. 2003). We don’t see instances of these injuries today, however it is vitally important that we continue to refer to kava as the traditional definition, and kava products as “kavalactone products” in order to maintain this separation in terms of product quality and safety.


Lebot, V., M. Merlin, and L. Lindstrom. 1993. “Kava: The Pacific Drug. Psychoactive Plants of the World.” The Quarterly Review of Biology 68 (4): 629–30.
https://doi.org/10.1086/418411.

Lindstrom, Lamont. 2009. “Kava Pirates in Vanuatu?” International Journal of Cultural Property 16 (03): 291–308. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0940739109990208.

Varlet, V. 2016. “Drug Vaping: From the Dangers of Misuse to New Therapeutic Devices.” Toxics 4 (4).
https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics4040029.

Whitton, Peter A., Andrew Lau, Alicia Salisbury, Julie Whitehouse, and Christine S. Evans. 2003. “Kava Lactones and the Kava-Kava Controversy.” Phytochemistry 64 (3): 673–79.
https://doi.org/10.1016/s0031-9422(03)00381-9.

I understand why Dr. Lindstrom includes "micronized" as not being the traditionally, strained kava but it is clearly not an extract.
If I understand correctly-- if you consume micronized as "Instant" then you are drinking whole root/stump unstrained?

 

[faldho]

Western countries had seen instances of injuries in the early 2000s, and it is thought that the different methods of extractions, and poor product quality may explain the additional toxicity (Whitton et al. 2003). We don’t see instances of these injuries today

Is this something that can be tested? I'm curious if this means kavalactone products can be fully legalized

 

[The Kap'n]

Is this something that can be tested? I'm curious if this means kavalactone products can be fully legalized

lol, oh it's been tested 9 ways to Sunday. The verdict? They still don't know exactly what caused that to happen in the '98-'02 range. We can only speculate as it seems to have been a isolated instance, but it still stands out to regulators as if it were happening to this day (which it isn't).

 

[The Kap'n]

If I understand correctly-- if you consume micronized as "Instant" then you are drinking whole root/stump unstrained?

Correct, it would be more akin to "toss and wash" where one swallows whole root and follows it with a gulp of water.

 

[Michael Nielsen]

In many countries kava has been used as medicine. And kava as medicine has been withdrawn from market. And if you import it and the customs label it as medicine it gets refused. That risk is higher if its pills or ekstrakt.