Benefits Of Kava And Other Things To Know About The Drink

Kava is one of the nightshade family members, and it’s usually found in the islands of the South Pacific. The natives have discovered this plant to be a ceremonial drink that lessens anxiety and promotes a sense of relaxation. 

Nowadays, the plant has gained much attention because it’s known for its stress-reducing and relaxing properties. But like any other supplement out there, people are becoming concerned about its safety and efficacy. This is where they ask questions and want to know more about the products before they buy anything. Read more about this plant on this page here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kava. 

About Kava

Kava is one of the tropical evergreen shrubs that have the scientific name of Piper methysticum. Many cultures use this as a drink during traditional and ritual gatherings. They use them to socialize so they’ll feel calmer and are able to do the things they need to make the social festivities successful.

The roots are first ground into a paste-like substance. They grind these through the process of chewing, and they spit out everything afterwards. However, this is now typically done by hand. Know that the paste is then strained and mixed with some water, and they consume it just like they would with tea.

Kava’s active ingredients include kavalactones that can account for almost 20% of its dry weight. This is located at the roots of the plant, and these kavalactones may have the following effects on one’s body:

• Anxiety Reduction
• Protect the neurons from damage
• Reduction of painful sensations
• Lessen the risk of cancer as what the studies have found in mice

Most of the studies have focused on the plants’ potential use to lessen people’s anxiety. Today, scientists are still studying how the kavalactones produce these kinds of effects and whether they directly affect the central nervous system or not. More of these researchers are expected to publish their findings to determine the nightshade’s impact on the body in the next few years. 

It’s believed that they directly affect the neurotransmitters and how they communicate with each other. One of the widespread neurotransmitters that are related to kava is gamma-aminobutyric acid that can decrease nerve activity. 

The Root of all Happiness

Today, there’s the term “micronized” that’s been popular in recent cultures. You might think of this term as something minute or tiny, and you’re actually correct. You can find out what micronized kava is in the link provided and know more about its benefits. These are the roots of the plant that’s broken down into very fine and small particles. They can be in the form of a powder that’s ready to be mixed into your favorite type of beverage. 

Some wanted these ready-made packets so they could just stir them into their tea and wait for the relaxing effects to take over. Some say that they feel happier after the consumption of the tea. Learning the overall composition and makeup of kava will help you make wiser purchases in the future.

Origins

So many people have used kava for hundreds of years. Since it’s already considered a remedy by ancient cultures, it is easier for researchers to measure its therapeutic or adverse effects on one’s health.

At the start, the kava roots were pounded and crushed to create a powder. It’s then strained and mixed with water in a separate bowl. The resulting mixture is what many people consume to help them relax better and keep their minds calmer.

In recent times, people from all over the world have begun to enjoy this as well. They have decided to process the powder further to preserve the quality of the nightshade for a very long time. The roots which are freshly harvested will only retain their effectiveness for a maximum of four days. They are dried and formed into a powder to keep their quality and be shipped to all parts of the world.

Components of the Micronized Powder

Even if the kava plant or root is ground into a fine particle, it still contains various properties and components that the naked eye can easily distinguish. Some of these are often seen in medium-ground particles, but almost all products have them. It’s also worth noting that all the positive effects usually come from the roots but not from the leaves or stems.

• The first component is the plant’s current root flesh. It’s usually made of a typical soft material that feels powdery after it’s processed.
• Other components include the skin of the roots. This is dark in color, and they are not so noticeable before you mix the powder into the water. However, after mixing everything, you can see the skin has a darker hue than the others.
• The third inclusion of the mix is the makas. Many people may choose to remove the makas into their powder mix.

What is Makas in the First Place?

Makas are the stiff fibres that are often present in kava drinks. They can cause diarrhea or upset stomachs, but not all people are affected by them. It’s best if you could take the extra steps of removing the makas when you have a micronized kava powder for their easier removal.

They are easily considered to be ground powder where the tiny clumps of the fibers are present. With an excellent strainer, you can easily remove the makas and consume only the fine powder that can help relieve anxiety and insomnia.

Many users have reported that removing the makas in the first place has a more considerable difference with the resulting weight of the kava product. The powder’s weight is almost always cut in half after all the others are removed.

Fortunately, for some people, you wouldn’t have to worry about these makas as manufacturers have already strained them. These makas can be removed right at the beginning, or you can strain them in powder form. It might be nearly impossible to remove a hundred percent of the makas, but the more of them are absent from your drink, the better the kava tea will be as a result.

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