How to Make a Kava Tincture
Kava kava root has been used in herbal remedies and alternative medicine circles as an anti-anxiety medication. The natural root is used to relax muscles and promote sleep. According to "Women's Herbs, Women's Health," a book by Christopher Hobbs and Kathi Keville, kava kava can produce mild feelings of euphoria, numbness in the tongue and heaviness in the limbs. One popular way to enjoy the herb is through a beverage like a tea, called a tincture. Using these steps, a basic tincture can be made at home.
Things You'll Need
- Bag of kava kava or ground kava root
- Two large mixing bowls
- Two 2-foot x 2-foot nylon strainer bags
- Measuring cups
- Water
- Microwave
- Blender
- Lecithin
Instructions
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How to make a kava tincture
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1
Mix ingredients
Warm 2 cups of water in a microwave for 1 minute. Do not boil the water. Combine 1 cup of ground, dry kava root with the 2 cups of warm water in a large mixing bowl. Whisk together. Soak mixture for at least 30 minutes. Add 1 tablespoon of lecithin, and stir until dissolved. Stirring the liquid, according to nakamalathome.com, will activate the kavalactones, or active ingredient, in the herb. -
2
Squeeze
Layer two nylon strainer bags. (Pantyhose will work if you do not have nylon strainer bags.) Scoop liquid mixture into the nylon strainer bags. Squeeze the fluid into a clean bowl, placed under the nylon strainer bags. Squeeze out as much liquid from the mixture as possible. Be sure to keep the kava root in the bags, and only allow liquid into the bowl. -
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3
Blend
Once the mixture is squeezed, remix the root in the nylon strainer bags with the juice in the bowl. Add the remixed fluid into a blender. Blend for 30 seconds. -
4
Squeeze mixture again
Clean the strainer bags under running water, or use fresh ones. Scoop mixture, one handful sized ladle at a time, back into the strainer bags, and squeeze into a clean bowl. Squeeze as much liquid out as possible. According to nakamalathome.com, foam should form on the fluid to know it is being squeezed out thoroughly. -
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Consume
The pressed fluid can be consumed directly as a beverage. Ice may be added for taste. According to nakamalathome.com, it is believed by South Pacific cultures to have benefits when sipped from a halved coconut. -
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Tincture ratio
According to Kona Kava Farm, a Hawaii-based producer of kava kava root, Kava Tincture should contain 5 ounces of kava kava root for every single fluid ounce. This tincture can be added to any liquid.
In "Women's Herbs, Women's Health," Hobbs and Keville note that products which contain kavalactone contents of 40 percent or less should be "safe to use." They do not advise the use of super-concentrated kava kava products, as the increased concentration can increase the possibility of side effects.
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Tips & Warnings
According to nakamalathome.com, adding lecithin to the mixture will help to emulsify and activate kavalactones in the root mixture. The ingredient also adds potency to the kava kava mixture.
There have been a number of lawsuits involving the deaths of kava kava users. Often death is caused by liver damage. Consult a physician for dosage and usage advice prior to consuming.
According to "Women's Herb, Women's Health," the use of kava kava has shown to have some negative effect on the liver. Those that consume alcohol, use sedatives or have Parkinson's disease are not advised to consume kava tincture due to these effects.
It is best to consult an herbalist or personal care physician before starting any new herbal supplement. Kava kava root has not been approved for use by the Federal Drug Administration, and its effects can produce different results in each individual.
