Struggling to switch off your brain at night? Say goodbye to counting sheep and hello to kava!
At Kalm with Kava, we’ve experienced how kava can help turn restless nights into restful delights, naturally. So before you turn to a bottle of melatonin or synthetic sleep aids, sip on kava and see why so many people are using it as their all-natural secret weapon against insomnia.
Find out why kava might just be one of the best natural sleep aids you’ve been dreaming about; read on to make those zzz’s as close as a sip away.
Kava for Sleep: Introduction to Kava
What is Kava?
Kava, also known as kava kava or Piper methysticum, is a plant native to the South Pacific, grown on islands such as Fiji, Tonga, and Samoa. The kava plant is estimated to have over 100 different varieties, and each variety has its own unique relaxation properties, like promoting a good night’s sleep.
The roots of the kava plant have played a central role in cultural rituals for centuries. Traditionally consumed during ceremonial gatherings, kava is renowned for its calming effects. When the roots and stump of the kava plant are consumed, the plant’s active ingredients—kavalactones—help promote physical and mental relaxation, which are especially beneficial in preparing the body and mind for sleep.
The History of Kava
Historically, kava was not only a ceremonial drink but also a medium for social bonding and conflict resolution among Pacific Island communities. Islanders also used kava for medicinal purposes, encouraging individuals to drink kava if they struggled with stress, anxiousness, or an inability to sleep and rest. This rich heritage underscores its significance as a tool for enhancing personal and communal well-being and promoting restful sleep.
Modern Applications of Kava
Outside of the Pacific Island kava culture, this amazing plant has found a new role as a natural remedy for stress and anxiety, with increasing popularity in the Western wellness industry. Kava’s ability to promote relaxation without impairing cognitive function makes it particularly appealing to those seeking alternative treatments for stress, insomnia, and related conditions.
Does Kava Help with Sleep?
The short answer: it can!
Long answer: kava, known for its calming effects, is increasingly popular as a natural sleep aid. This is mainly due to kava’s kavalactones, which are believed to help the body and mind relax, therefore making it easier to fall asleep. But how exactly does kava work to promote better sleep?
Kava and Sleep: Understanding Kavalactones
The ability of kava to enhance sleep may be closely linked to its impact on anxious thoughts. Many people experience stress-induced insomnia. By soothing emotions tied to anxiety, the kavalactones in kava can indirectly aid in boosting sleep quality.
Kavalactones may improve sleep by soothing stress and anxiety, crucial factors that can disrupt sleep. Scientists suggest that kavalactones might activate an enzyme known as p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase. This enzyme plays a role in the body’s stress response. By moderating this response, kavalactones help individuals relax, paving the way for restful sleep.
Additionally, kavalactones are thought to act on the brain’s GABA receptors, which are crucial for regulating nerve signals. These actions are somewhat similar to how benzodiazepine medications like Xanax work—by slowing down the communication between the body and brain, thus fostering relaxation.
Sip Kava to Help Soothe Sleep-Related Issues
So, what does kava do, especially in relation to sleep?
Kava has been traditionally used to address various sleep-related issues, offering potential benefits due to its calming and sedative properties. Here are some specific sleep-related problems that kava might help soothe:
- Insomnia: Kava can help reduce the time it takes to fall asleep and improve sleep quality, making it a useful remedy for those struggling with insomnia.
- Anxiety-Related Sleep Disturbances: For individuals whose sleep issues are exacerbated by anxiety, the kavalactones in kava can help calm the mind and facilitate easier sleep.
- Stress-Induced Sleep Problems: By modulating the body’s response to stress through its impact on the central nervous system, kava can promote relaxation and thereby help soothe a stressed mind to sleep.
- Jet Lag: Kava can help reset the body’s internal clock by promoting relaxation and sleep, making it potentially useful for travelers trying to adjust to new time zones.
- Interrupted Sleep Patterns: For those who wake up frequently during the night, kava may help your body and mind relax to help sustain longer periods of uninterrupted sleep.
- Shift Work Sleep Disorder: For shift workers, kava might help promote relaxation and sleep during unconventional hours.
- Adjusting to Daylight Savings: If your body is having trouble getting enough sleep after Daylight Savings, sipping kava before bed can help relax your mind and body, encouraging you to fall asleep when you want to.
Why is Kava Different from Other Sleep Aids?
Kava has gained popularity as a natural supplement for sleep issues. Here’s a list of reasons why someone might consider taking kava to help them sleep:
- Natural Relaxation: Kava is one of the best herbal sedatives available. Unlike synthetic sleep aids, kava promotes relaxation without the use of synthetic chemicals. Kava is completely plant-based, making it a natural option for those looking to unwind.
- Non-Habit Forming: Unlike some prescription sleep aids, kava is non-addictive and actually has a reverse-tolerance effect, which eases the risk of forming a dependence.
- Muscle Relaxation: Kava has naturally muscle-relaxing properties, which can be beneficial for those whose sleep is disturbed by stiff, sore, or restless muscles.
- Holistic Benefits: Beyond improving sleep, kava can also enhance overall well-being by reducing stress and elevating mood, contributing to a more relaxed state.
- Cultural Acceptance: As a widely used traditional medicine in many Pacific cultures, kava is backed by centuries of use, adding to its credibility as a helpful sleep aid.
- Alternative to Alcohol: For those who might use alcohol to unwind before bed, kava offers a non-alcoholic alternative that can promote relaxation without the negative side effects associated with alcohol consumption.
Comparisons with Other Natural Sleep Aids
We’ve all heard of taking melatonin or sipping herbal tea before bedtime to help get a good night’s rest. But what about kava? How does kava stand up against the other natural sleep aids out there? Each natural sleep aid offers unique benefits, but it’s easy to see why kava outstrips the other options out there. Let’s see how kava stands up against some of the most popular natural sleep aids.
Melatonin vs Kava
Melatonin is a hormone that plays a critical role in regulating the sleep-wake cycle. It’s often used to treat insomnia and help manage disrupted sleep patterns, such as those caused by jet lag. Kava, on the other hand, does not affect sleep cycles directly but is used for its calming properties that may help ease the mind, making it easier to relax before bedtime. Unlike melatonin, which can sometimes cause morning grogginess, kava does not typically produce this effect. So if you are looking for a sleep aid without melatonin, kava may be a good option for you.
Lavender vs Kava
Lavender is best known for its aromatic calming effects and is commonly used in aromatherapy to reduce mild tension. While lavender mainly provides a soothing atmosphere through its scent, kava offers immersive mind and body relaxation due to the interaction of kavalctones with the body. For those who prefer a more direct and potentially deeper calming experience, kava may be more appropriate than the gentle soothing provided by lavender aromatherapy.
CBD vs Kava
CBD, like kava, has been reported to aid in relaxation and to support better sleep. CBD works within the endocannabinoid system, which can help regulate mood and stress. Kava’s interaction with the central nervous system’s GABA pathways provides a different mechanism of relaxation, which some users prefer for its clear and immediate calming effects that can facilitate the transition to sleep.
Borongoru: The Best Kava for Sleep
If you’ve been around Kalm with Kava for a while, you know that there are a lot of kava products and varieties out there. So, which kava varieties are the best for helping you get a good night’s rest? Our answer is easy: Borongoru kava.
Profile of Borongoru
Borongoru kava is a strain of the kava plant known for its strong sedative effects, making it ideal for before-bedtime consumption. Originating from Vanuatu, this strain is highly valued for its high kavalactone content. Categorized as a “heavy” kava, Borongoru helps promote a sense of physical “heaviness,” helping to naturally relax muscles and soothe your mind into a state of mental calm—the perfect ingredients for a good night’s sleep.
Many people enjoy sipping Borongoru kava at the end of a long day. Kava enthusiasts have reported the following effects after drinking our Borongoru kava:
- Drowsiness to help drift off to sleep
- Natural sedation
- Mellowed emotions
- Muscle and body relaxation
- Mental calm
- Eased mental and physical anxiety
- Calmed worries
We offer two forms of Borongoru kava: Micronized Borongoru and Medium Grind Borongoru. Both offer the same relaxation effects; they just require different types of preparation for you to enjoy your kava tea beverage. You can check out our preparation tips below.
Borongoru Kava Reviews
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When to Take Kava for Sleep
If you’re trying kava for the first time or figuring out how to work kava into your bedtime routine, here are a few tips:
- Drink before Bedtime: Sip Borongoru kava 1-2 hours before bedtime, allowing the kavalactones to induce drowsiness.
- Drink Kava on an Empty Stomach: This is so the kavalactones can be absorbed efficiently. If you feel a little nauseous, you can follow your Borongoru kava drink with a snack called a kava chaser. Because kava is bitter and earthy, it’s better to pick kava chasers that are lighter and sweeter, like fruit or nuts.
- When the Effects Kick in May Vary: Give it 15-20 minutes for the effects to kick in. Then, you should begin to feel tensions slowly relax over your body. You should start to feel as if stress and worries are melting away. Ultimately, what you personally experience when drinking kava for the first time will depend on your body, how it reacts, how much you drink, etc.
Kava Dosage for Sleep
With kava dosages, it’s always best to follow the dosage recommendations on the back of your Kalm with Kava product. For example, if you want to mix Micronized Borongoru in your evening cup of hot cocoa before bedtime, we recommend mixing 1 tablespoon of micronized kava into 8-12 fluid ounces into your cocoa or other non-alcoholic beverage of your choice.
Preparation Tips
Micronized Borongoru Kava
Micronized kava makes beverage prep super simple —there are only two steps! Since all coarse fibers have been removed, micronized kava doesn’t require brewing or straining. To prep Micronized Borongoru Kava, simply mix 1 tablespoon of micronized kava into 8-12 fluid ounces of a non-alcoholic beverage of your choice.
Medium Grind Borongoru Kava
There are two ways you can prep Medium Grind Borongoru Kava: the traditional way and the easy way.
The Traditional Way
- Step 1: Measure out a single serving of Medium Grind Borongoru Kava. Typically, a standard serving size for one individual is 2-4 tablespoons of medium grind kava root. Add the kava root to your strainer bag and place the bag into your bowl.
- Step 2: Measure out 8-12 oz. of hot tap water (about 100-120 degrees*) per serving. Vary the amount of water depending on how strong you want your kava tea to taste. Then, pour the hot water directly into the bag with the Medium Grind Borongoru Kava powder. Let the kava steep in the bag in the bowl for 10 minutes.
- Step 3: After steeping, twist the top of your kava strainer closed and press out all the air. Knead the kava root in the bag in the water in the bowl. Alternate between kneading the kava and squeezing the bag to strain the liquid into the bowl. Don’t let any actual root escape the bag. After 5-10 minutes of kneading, wring the straining bag tight to remove all liquid. Leave the root in the bag.
- Step 4: Lastly, refrigerate your kava drink for a short while and/or throw in a few ice cubes. Kava liquid goes down easier when it is chilled. Once your kava is chilled, pour it into a cup and enjoy it right away. For the best relaxation effects, consume kava on an empty stomach.
The Easy Way
- Step 1: Add 2-4 tablespoons of Medium Grind Borongoru Kava and 8-12 oz. of hot tap water per serving to a standard blender.
- Step 2: Blend on high for approximately 4 minutes.
- Step 3: Empty and strain this through a cloth strainer.
- Step 4: Chill and enjoy!
If you’re looking to mix it up and make your kava beverage even more tasty, check out our kava recipes.
Kava Safety
If you’re considering kava for the first time as a sleep aid, understanding its safety is crucial. Despite past controversies regarding liver health, recent research provides a clearer and more positive perspective.
Previous Kava Conerns & Updated Studies
Initial concerns about kava’s safety emerged from studies over 15 years ago, which linked kava consumption to liver damage, leading to bans in several European countries. However, these studies were later found to be flawed. Reviews indicated that reported liver toxicity was often related to the consumption of substances other than kava or the use of non-traditional parts of the kava plant not typically consumed. This led to the lifting of bans, with subsequent research supporting kava’s safety when used traditionally.
Debunking the Kava Liver Damage Myth
Recent evaluations, including a significant study by the World Health Organization, have clarified that kava, when consumed as a traditional beverage, does not contribute to liver damage. This study and others suggest that the risk of liver injury from kava is exceptionally low, with liver-related issues being less likely than 1:1,000,000 daily doses.
The Safe Use of Kava
To enjoy kava’s relaxation effects, it’s important to follow several guidelines:
- Choose Noble Kava: Only drink Noble kava, which has a better safety profile compared to Tudei kava. Noble kava contains lower levels of potentially harmful compounds known as flavokavains.
- Buy from Reputable Sources: Ensure your kava is sourced from reliable vendors who provide quality-tested products, like Kalm with Kava.
Consume on an Empty Stomach: For best effects, drink kava on an empty or near-empty stomach. If nausea occurs, a light snack may help. - Monitor Your Intake: If you experience any adverse effects like dizziness or nausea, reduce your consumption.
While kava is recognized for its calming effects and potential as a sleep aid, ensuring you follow safety guidelines is essential for a positive experience. The historical use of kava across Pacific cultures underscores its efficacy and minimal risk when consumed appropriately.
Kava for Sleep FAQs
Q: Is Kava Good for Sleep?
A: Yes, it is! Kava has gained popularity as a natural remedy for helping promote a good night’s sleep due to its calming properties. Many users find drinking kava helps them unwind and relax before bedtime, making it easier to fall asleep. Kava’s active compounds, kavalactones, are known to induce relaxation without heavily sedating the user, making it a good choice for those who want to relax their body and mind to prepare for sleep.
Q: Does Kava Affect Sleep Quality?
A: Yes, kava can affect sleep quality by promoting deeper and more restful sleep. Its calming effects help you unwind so you can fall asleep more quickly and minimize nighttime awakenings. This can lead to more consistent, uninterrupted sleep, making it one of the best herbal sleep aid options.
Q: Does Kava Make You Sleep?
A: Kava is not a sleep inducer in the traditional sense, like some over-the-counter or prescription sleep medications. Instead, it helps create a state of physical and mental relaxation that can make it easier to fall asleep naturally. While kava can help soothe the mind and alleviate physical tension, it may not cause sleep directly. Its efficacy as a sleep support supplement comes from its ability to help calm barriers to sleep, such as stress and anxiety, rather than forcing the body to shut down.
Q: Is Kava a Drug?
A: No, kava is NOT a drug. Kava is a legal, non-regulated substance in the United States, not a drug, and is classified as an herbal supplement.
For more answers to your top kava questions, visit our Frequently Asked Questions about Kava page.
Ready to Catch Those ZZZ’s?
Enjoy the calm only kava can bring to your nighttime routine. Shop our Borongoru kava products and enjoy the soothing tranquility these natural relaxation drinks bring. Transform your restless night into peaceful, natural slumber!