Kava juice extract is commonly consumed to calm the mind, lift the mood and reduce stress.
Kava, or kava-kava, is the colloquial name for the Piper methysticum shrub that is native to South Pacific islands including Tahiti, Hawaii, Tonga and Fiji.
Piper methysticum översätts ungefär till “intoxicating pepper” på Latin. The rhizomes and roots of kava plants are crushed and used to make psychoactive beverages.
Kava kava root drinks have been used for many centuries medicinally, socially and recreationally. Some people compare the effects of non-alcoholic kava juice beverages with those of alcohol.
Emellertid, kava does not seem to impair thinking abilities and does not pose a risk of liver damage or withdrawal symptoms when prepared properly.
This plant extract demonstrates sedating and anxiolytic effects in research studies and may help to reduce feelings of nervousness, social anxiety and sleep disturbances.



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Kava Kava Juice Extract Uses
In traditional South Pacific cultures, kava juice and tea are consumed regularly both in religious rituals and as part of social gatherings.
The herb was viewed as helping to promote pro-social behaviors, much like the consumption of alcohol in the Western world.
Kava is also used medically to alleviate anxiety and improve mood. It is also used for reducing muscle tension, promoting relaxation and alleviating joint pain.
Different varieties of this plant exist, and they are purported to have different effects on the user. Some strains are said to be more mentally stimulating and mood-enhancing while others have stronger tranquilizing properties.
Den naturliga läkemedel omfattande databasen anges att kava extracts and supplements are used for the following: [1]
- Sömnlöshet, rastlöshet och irritabilitet;
- Kroniskt trötthetssyndrom (CFS);
- Övre luftvägsinfektioner;
- Urinvägsinfektioner;
- Muskuloskeletal smärta;
Kava extracts have also been used traditionally used for venereal disease, uterine inflammation, menstrual discomfort and vaginal prolapse.
It has been used by herbal medicine practitioners for withdrawal from benzodiazepine drugs, depression, psykos, epilepsy and migraine headaches. It has also been studied for its effects on cancer, but research is very preliminary. [1]
Enligt NMCD, Kava is rated as Possibly Effective only for treating anxiety. All other uses for this natural medicine have yet to be validated in clinical trials.
The FDA has not approved the use of kava as a drug for the prevention or treatment of any medical conditions.
Kava Juice Effects
NMCD states that kava extracts have demonstrated several types of pharmacological activity. Some of these include antianxiety (ångestdämpande), anti-inflammatorisk, smärtstillande, sedative and anticonvulsant properties.
The effects of kava juice on the central nervous system are believed to be caused by chemical compounds called kavalactones. Some of the best-understood kavalactones include:
- Dihydromethysticin;
- Kawain (kavain);
- Dihydrokavain;
- Methysticin;
- Yangonin;
The precise mechanisms of action associated with kavalactones are not well understood.
Researchers believe that the antianxiety effects of this plant may be linked to inhibition of the monoamine oxidase B enzyme. This enzyme catalyzes the degradation of benzylamine, Fenyletylamin, och dopamin.
Kava may also slow down the reuptake of the neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine, which are involved in mood regulation. [2]
Traditional Kava Juice Recipe
Enligt University of Maryland Medical Center (UMM), traditional preparation of kava juice begins with chopping or crushing kava rhizomes/roots.
These roots are placed in a porous bag and then submerged in water. The bag is squeezed to release the bioactive chemicals from the roots.
The extract-infused water is transferred to a bowl carved from wood, and then coconut shells are used as vesicles for drinking the juice from. Kava juice is purported to look like dirty dishwater – and features an earthy taste that may be unpleasant to some.
One vendor describes the taste by saying. “our Kava juice extract has a peppery taste. It will blend well with juice or coconut milk if you’d prefer to mix in with another beverage.”
The juice is sometimes mixed with other flavoring agents to improve the taste. There are also many different ways to prepare kava extracts for oral consumption for people who find the taste difficult to tolerate.
Juice extracts are a highly concentrated form of the powder that require a lower dosage to feel the effects. Enligt en tillverkare, “It’s anxiolytic and mood enhancing effects can be felt with as little as 1 gram of powder, but some may prefer larger doses of 3-5 grams.”
Kava supplements are available in capsules, tabletter, vätskor, whole roots and powders. NMCD påstår att det finns nästan 300 dietary supplement products that contain kava available for sale in the United States.
Another popular option is to purchase Instant Kava powders. These can be used to prepare the juice, but do not require steeping as the powder can be stirred directly into water.
Säkerhetsvarningar
Tidigare, kava drinks have been associated with cases of severe liver damage, some requiring a liver transplant.
This resulted in safety concerns being raised and subsequently caused the herb be banned in various countries. It also caused kava research to be discontinued for a number of years. [3]
It is currently believed that the adverse effects and hepatotoxicity reported were cause by alcohol-extracted supplements prepared with industrial solvents. Water-extracted kava juice has not been shown to cause liver toxicity or injury in any case when used at appropriate dosages.
Many countries have revered their bans on this supplement so long as it is prepared according to traditional practices. Sverige, Australia and Canada all currently allow certain forms of this herb to be sold commercially.
There is also some concern that the above-ground or aerial parts of the kava plant may cause liver damage. This is because they contain a chemical compound called pipermethysine.
Kava rhizomes and roots do not contain this hepatotoxic chemical, which is why only products made from the roots of the plant should be consumed. [4]
If you are considering a particular brand or vendor to order from, make sure they specify that their product is water-extracted and does not contain stems or other aerial parts.
Use kava supplements only as directed on product labels or as otherwise prescribed and supervised by your doctor.
Kava Juice Side Effects
Tag low doses of kava drinks appear to be well tolerated by the majority of users, this product is not appropriate for everyone. It should not be used by anyone under the age of 18 or people with a history of drug or alcohol abuse.
It should not be combined with alcohol or other psychoactive substances. Avoid consuming this supplement with hepatotoxic herbs or drugs.
I NMCD anges att kava can cause adverse effects inklusive gastrointestinala besvär, torr mun, yrsel, huvudvärk, enlarged pupils and/or drowsiness. Other possible side effects of include allergic reactions, involuntary reflexes and/or disturbances in oculomotor equilibrium. [1]
I sällsynta fall, kava juice might cause jaundice (yellow skin), dark urine and/or fatigue. It may worsen hepatitis symptoms, especially in patients with history of recurrent hepatitis. [1]
In very rare cases and when using improperly manufactured products, it may cause severe hepatocellular necrosis (leverskador). NMCD states that even typical doses could cause acute hepatitis. [1]
Most people experience no ill effects from using high-quality, water-extracted kava supplements at appropriate dosages. Emellertid, consuming excessive dosages may impair reaction times and cognitive function. Avoid driving or operating heavy machinery while using kava.
Talk to your doctor about possible disease, drog, food and/or supplement interactions. Do not use kava if you are pregnant or nursing. Do not use this plant extract if you have liver disease or dysfunction. Do not give kava kava juice or supplements to children.
- Naturliga läkemedel omfattande databas
- Sarris J1, LaPorte E, Schweitzer jag. Kava: en omfattande översyn av effekt, säkerhet, och Psykofarmakologi. Aust N Z J psykiatri. 2011 Jan;45(1):27-35. Doi: 10.3109/00048674.2010.522554. EPUB 2010 Nov 15.
- University of Maryland Medical Center
- Baum SS1, Kulle R, Rommelspacher H. Effekt av kava extrakt och enskilda kavapyrones på signalsubstansnivåer i kärnan accumbens av råttor. PROG Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. 1998 Okt;22(7):1105-20.
Artikel senast uppdaterad på: 4 juli, 2018 genom Nootriment