How to Consume Kava

Kava root, a natural, stress-reducing herb that is also known as kava kava, has been used for centuries by natives of the South Pacific islands. Kava can be prepared in several different ways, all of which are commonly found to be quite pleasant when consumed. The main ingredients that promote a sense of ease are the root's kavalactones. Ground kava powder is widely available and can be prepared with milk or fruit juice without much processing at all. As for any herbal remedy, consult your health care provider before taking kava.

Things You'll Need

• Milk or water
• Fine muslin bags
• Drinking glass
• Powdered kava root
• Spoon

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Instructions

• 1

  Fill your drinking glass with cold milk or water. Organic variations, such as goat's milk, soy milk, cow's or coconut milk all work well at extracting kavalactones from the powdered root when added. Cold liquids work best at releasing the nutrients of the root, since heat is known to damage the kavalactones during the extraction process.

• 2

  Mix 1 to 2 tbsp. powdered kava root to the glass of cold water or milk and stir with a spoon for a couple of minutes to allow the kavalactones to bond to the liquid.

• 3

  Pour the contents of the glass into a fine muslin bag over a sink to strain the root material from the liquid. Squeeze the contents of the bag over the drinking glass to release the remaining kavalactones from the powdered root. Your kava drink can now be consumed safely, as well as effectively.