Try Our Soothing Kava Beverage in Hawaii (2024)

FAQs

What is kava drink in Hawaii? ›

HONOLULU — Kava (also known as ʻawa) is a drink traditionally consumed by Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders, which has relaxing and numbing effects. It is made by pounding the roots of the kava plant and soaking them in water.

The Hawaii Department of Health (DOH) has issued a memorandum finding that the traditionally prepared 'awa (commonly known as kava) beverage, made using the root of the noble variety of the 'awa plant (Piper methysticum), is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) due to its common use prior to January 1, 1958.

DO NOT take kava if you have depression, liver disease, such as hepatitis, or Parkinson's disease. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should not take kava. DO NOT take kava if you are going to have surgery (and tell your surgeon if you have taken it in the past). Kava can prolong the effect of anesthesia.

Kava is absorbed through the gut and reaches its peak effect about 2 hours after ingestion. The effects of kava depend on how much you ingest, how quickly you ingest it, whether you have eaten, your size and weight, your overall health and how often you use it.

So, can kava create a “high”? The answer is—possibly, but not probably. High doses of kava can produce more intense feelings of euphoria, sedation, and mild intoxication. Regardless, kava is not considered a drug that produces a "high" in the way marijuana or cocaine do.

In small doses, the effects of kava include muscle relaxation, sleepiness and feelings of wellbeing. However, long-term use of kava can lead to a range of health problems, including malnutrition, weight loss and apathy.

Consuming kava has a relaxing, euphoric effect. Scientists call drugs that have this calming effect anxiolytic. Alcohol, which has similar effects to kava, is another anxiolytic drug. These properties are why many use it as a recreational drug and a medicine, as it can help reduce stress and anxiety.

As an emblem of tradition and chiefliness, kava is symbolically entwined with ancestral spirits in ways that many Christians find worrisome. Indeed, evangelical sects such as the Assemblies of God and Seventh-day Adventists ban kava drinking.

Kava was introduced to the communities in the north of Australia in the 1980s as a substitute for alcohol, to reduce alcohol-related harms in the community. The kava drink is often used for sedative, hypnotic and muscle-relaxant effects, in much the same way that alcohol is used.

While the benefits over alcohol seem clear, kava may not be immune to some of the risks that we also find in excess use of alcohol. Kuhn added, “Some research suggests that kava could lead to liver injury.

How likely is liver damage from kava? ›

Major liver issues with kava initially led to the herb being banned in many countries. In the early 2000s, more than 100 cases of liver toxicity related to the use of kava had been identified, some leading to liver transplant and some leading to death.

Patients suffering from any liver or kidney disease should avoid taking kava. It is best to consult with a health professional before taking any supplements or preparations containing this herb.

What is Kava. Kava is a depressant drug, which means it slows down the messages travelling between the brain and the body. Kava is made from the root or stump of the kava (Piper methysticum) shrub.

It is legally available in the US as a dietary supplement and is often sold as a sleep aid and muscle relaxant. People also take Kava as a treatment for conditions such as anxiety, chronic stress, and insomnia. Despite the substance's legal status, there are concerns about the safety and effectiveness of Kava.