Kava Tea - Benefits, Side Effects and Dosage

Kava kava has been slowly taking over the shelves of convenience stores as a potent herbal additives that can help users manage their sleep issues, anxiety, and stress. With that stated, there are plenty of people around the globe that prefer avoiding gulping down additives pills, powders, or tablets. If you are one of them and still want to benefit from the amazing capabilities of Kava Kava then you should try Kava Tea. Kava Kava is often regarded as alternative medicine. It finds tremendous popularity in traditional ceremonies of Fiji’s indigenous people. It is known for its medicinal properties. This is why it has been the subject of interest among the scientific communities around the globe. Traditionally Kava Tea is made in the same way one brews a cup of tea using tea leaves. Tea made from the roots of the kava plant although have some benefits, it also comes with some potential side effects as well.

Kava root tea is known for its euphoric effects that leave the user calm and composed. One should have all information about the herb for the best results. This post is all about that only. Read on to know more!

1. What is kava tea?

Kava tea is made from the roots of the plant Piper methysticum. This plant is native to the islands of the Pacific Ocean. It is the national drink of Fiji. It is made traditionally in Fiji by crushing the dried out roots of the kava plant, mixing the same in water, straining it, and drinking the mixture after a while. (Reference: What is Kava Kava, WebMD, Retrieved on 1 January 2024)

2. What are the benefits of Kava tea?

Kava root tea has many benefits. Some of them are explained in the following sections:

Kava facts and health benefits , Health Benefits Times , Google Images, licensed under CC BY 2.0

3. What are the side effects of kava tea?

Kava tea comes with its fair share of side effects especially when one makes a habit out of it. They are as follows - 

All of these side effects come to a halt when a person with said symptoms stops ingesting the tea altogether. Furthermore, it is best to stop taking the tea after three months. Why? Well, after that, the chance of the user getting addicted to the tea is pretty high. (Reference: What Is Kava Kava, WebMD, Retrieved on 1 January 2024)

4. How do you make kava tea?

Traditionally, kava tea is prepared the same was as one brew a cup of tea from tea leaves! Dried kava roots are either ground into powder form or cut into small pieces. The powder or the pieces are then placed in a straining bag and placed in hot water. (Reference: Trying Kava for the First Time? Here’s What to Expect, Kalm With Kava, Retrieved on 1 January 2024)

5. Ingredients to gather –

best kava kava chai recipe , Pinterest , Google Images, licensed under CC BY 2.0

 6. Method to prepare kava root tea

7. What is the suggested dosage for kava tea?

It is better if one ingests Kava tea as little as possible, especially when they are drinking it regularly! As per some researchers, it is best to limit the daily dose to less than 250 milligrams per day. Furthermore, one should not take the tea for more than three months at a stretch. (Reference: What is Kava Kava, WebMD, Retrieved on 1 January 2024)

8. How does kava make you feel?

As soon as a user takes a sip of the tea, the user would feel as if their tongue and lips are getting numb. There is nothing to worry about as this is a natural and most commonly reported mild side effect. This will last for only a minute or two. It is a generic sign that the tea you are drinking is made from good quality kava plant roots. After this, the user will generally feel euphoric and witness his/her mind shifting into a higher uplifted state. (Reference: Trying Kava for the First Time? Here’s What to Expect, Kalm With Kava, Retrieved on 1 January 2024)

Kawakawa - New Zealand's Wonder Herb , The Tea Thief , Google Images, licensed under CC BY 2.0

9. How long do the effects of kava last?

Well, it depends. If the user is having yogi kava tea for the first time then their body and mind will react differently when compared to a person who is having his/her fourth cup. Furthermore, the quantity of the drink will also dictate the outcome. In the end, the uplifting effects of the tea will be felt for about three hours at max but the relaxed feel will last for even more! In the end, the user will be so relaxed that he/she will be compelled to take a nap for an hour or two. (Reference: Trying Kava for the First Time? Here’s What to Expect, Kalm With Kava, Retrieved on 1 January 2024)

10. Is kava tea safe to drink?

Kava root tea is a herbal remedy that is often adopted by people who want to take the herbal approach when they want to tackle issues like lack of sleep, stress, or anxiety. But according to several independent studies, it is found that when a person drinks kava tea excessively, then the same could get diagnosed with liver damage in the near future. (Reference: Trying Kava for the First Time? Here’s What to Expect, Kalm With Kava, Retrieved on 1 January 2024) This is the reason why, although Kava Kava is a legalized herbal additives here in the states, the FDA cautions Americans against drinking the tea – as people often tend to develop a habit out of it. There are more than a hundred varieties of the Kava plant. Loosely all of these varieties are categorized into two sections – 

It is best to avoid Tudei Kava since the tea made from the roots of this particular class of the Kava plant, when consumed continuously could lead to side effects like – 

Users should choose lab-tested Noble kava roots or root extract powders as their Kava Tea ingredient since Noble Kava does not have potential side effects. Kava tea reacts with alcohol and a plethora of popular prescription drugs like – 

Furthermore, pregnant women should avoid drinking kava tea since little to no research has been conducted here in the States or any part of the world, related to this matter. Hence, one cannot be sure whether the herbal tea will have any negative effect(s) on a mother and her unborn child. (Reference: What is Kava Kava, WebMD, Retrieved on 1 January 2024)

11. Best Kawa Teas In Indian 2024

From masala tea and herbal tea to black tea and desi kahwa, there are so many tea options available in the market and online. Here're 4 best kahwa tea options for you to choose from.

11.1. Teacurry -Kashmiri Kahwa Green Tea

Teacurry Kashmiri Kahwa Green Tea has a soft sweet taste, which is delicate on your palate and perfects when you crave some warmth instead of the robust taste of Black tea or coffee. Full of spices rose petals and almonds, the natural green tea leaves create a feeling of ecstasy with each sip. The golden sun-soaked yellow color of the tea, with an intense rosy spicy-sweet smell, relaxes your mind and soul instantly. Teacurry Kashmiri Kahwa green tea is a perfect balance of taste, health & aroma - consisting of Penang Cloves, mighty Ginger, Almonds, Rose petals, Cassia cinnamon, black pepper, green cardamom, and Assam green tea. It's a perfect blend to cleanse the digestive system, boost immunity, detoxify the body, relieve oxidative stress, fight morning sickness, help with indigestion and joint pain. Cinnamon helps in and enhancing blood circulation, while Cardamom helps in clearing up free radicals. (Reference: Kahwah, Wikipedia, Retrieved on 1 January 2023)

kawha tea ,Teacurry licensed under CC BY 2.0

11.2 VAHDAM Kashmiri Kahwa Green Tea

Kashmiri Kahwa is a well-balanced concoction of green tea infused with robust flavors of Indian spices like cardamom and cinnamon. The richness of saffron and almonds further enhances the aroma creating an unforgettable fragrance as the tea brews. A smooth, rich, delectable and a refreshing brew that is popularly consumed in the Western Ghats, the Malabar region, and Kashmir. This traditional recipe is a treasure trove of multiple health benefits as well.

Kashmiri kawa Green tea ,Vahdam licensed under CC BY 2.0

11.3 The Tea Trove - Organic Kashmiri Kahwa Green Tea

Kashmiri Kahwa Green Tea is an exotic tea made with Kashmiri green tea leaves, Ginger, Cinnamon, Cloves, Cardamom and Orange. To make Kashmiri Style Noon Tea recipe, first boil a cup of water in a saucepan. After boiling, add 2tsp Kashmiri Kahwa tea leaves and simmer for 1 minute. Now add 1/3 rd tsp baking soda to it and keep stirring continuously for 10 seconds. Now add 1 cup water . Boil until it becomes red. Now reduce the flame, add 1 cup milk and keep stirring. The color of the tea will now turn dark pink. After boiling add 1/2 tsp salt, mix and serve in a cup

11.4 The Indian Chai – Kashmiri Kawa Chai

AROMATIC TEA: Kashmiri Kahwa tea is an aromatic tea infused with delicate flavours of whole spices. Kashmiri Kahwa is subtle on your taste and ideal for the times whenever you crave a little warmth and still don’t want the heaviness of classic milk coffee or tea!

 Kashmiri Kahwa Tea, TheIndianChai licensed under CC BY 2.0

12. Frequently Asked Questions

It is evident by now that Kava Tea has lots to offer and to make the most out of it, one can refer to the information shared in the above sections with their eyes closed! Every one of us here at teacurry.com is passionate about tea, tea products, the rich history of this beverage, and its benefits. We spend hours on end to bring to you blogs that are full of properly vetted information from renowned and reliable sources on the internet. Still, it is natural for our readers to have queries and opinions as it is the most human thing. This is why we welcome them! Feel free to share your queries and opinions in the comments section below. We will get back to you shortly!

References & Sources

• Saberi, Helen (2010-10-15). Tea: A Global History. Reaktion Books.
•  The Spicy, Aromatic Kashmiri Kahwa Can Soothe Your Winter Blues. The Quint. 
• Kava. Merriam–Webster Online Dictionary. 2018.
•  Balick, Michael J. and Leem, Roberta (2002) Traditional use of sakau (kava) in Pohnpei: lessons for integrative medicine Alternative Therapies.
•  Lebot V, Merlin M, Lindstrom L (1997). Kava: The Pacific Elixir: The Definitive Guide to Its Ethnobotany, History, and Chemistry.
• Pittler MH, Ernst E (2003). Pittler MH (ed.). Kava extract for treating anxiety. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.
• Kava: a review of the safety of traditional and recreational beverage consumption (PDF). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and World Health Organization, Rome, Italy. 2016.
• Vincent Lebot, Patricia Siméoni (2004). Is the Quality of Kava (Piper methysticum Forst. f.) Responsible for Different Geographical Patterns? (PDF). Ethnobotany Research & Applications.
• Vanuatu hopes for kava export growth. Radio New Zealand. 11 November 2015. Retrieved 29 May 2016.
• Vanuatu kava cleared for European market. Radio New Zealand. 12 November 2015. Retrieved 29 May 2016.