Kava, botanically known as Piper methysticum, is a plant native to the Pacific Islands, where its root has been traditionally consumed for centuries. Kava extract is a concentrated preparation derived from the rootstock, designed to deliver the active compounds, called kavalactones, in a potent form. These kavalactones are responsible for the plant’s effects. This guide helps consumers navigate the various forms and sources of Kava products.
Understanding Kava Product Forms
Kava is available in several physical formats, and the term “extract” applies to a few different concentrated preparations. Liquid extracts, often called tinctures, are typically made by soaking the root in a solvent, such as food-grade alcohol or vegetable glycerin, to pull out the kavalactones. These are sold in small bottles with droppers and offer a convenient, highly concentrated serving.
Encapsulated extracts provide a standardized dose of kavalactones in a capsule or tablet. These products often list the exact percentage of kavalactones, such as 30% to 90%, achieved by concentrating the active ingredients. Concentrated paste forms are also produced, usually resulting from specialized extraction methods like supercritical CO2 extraction. These dense concentrates can be mixed into drinks or pressed into pills.
Retail Options for Buying Kava Extract
The search for Kava extract leads consumers to three main types of retail environments. Specialized online retailers tend to have the widest selection of Kava products, including various extracts, pastes, and encapsulated forms. These vendors often focus exclusively on Kava, providing detailed product information and third-party testing results.
Local health food and supplement stores also carry Kava products, although the selection of concentrated extracts can vary significantly. Purchasing locally allows the buyer to inspect the product packaging in person, but the available brands may be limited.
A third option is a dedicated Kava bar or lounge, which primarily serves the traditional beverage. These establishments often sell concentrated products for home use, such as liquid extracts or instant kava powders.
Essential Quality and Safety Checks
Ensuring the quality and safety of Kava extract is paramount, starting with verifying the source material. Consumers should insist on products made exclusively from “Noble Kava” varieties, which have a long history of safe use in the Pacific Islands. Noble Kava has a balanced profile of kavalactones and is considered the highest quality for consumption.
It is important to avoid “Ignoble” or Tudei varieties, which are sometimes used in lower-quality products and are associated with potential adverse effects. Tudei kava contains higher levels of certain kavalactones, like dihydromethysticin and dihydrokavain, which can lead to prolonged grogginess and an increased risk of liver toxicity. The Vanuatu Kava Act restricts the export of kava for consumption to only noble varieties, which is a good standard to look for.
A Certificate of Analysis (COA) from an independent, third-party laboratory is a necessary document that confirms the quality of the product. This COA should verify the kavalactone percentage, indicating the product’s potency, and confirm the specific kavalactone chemotype to ensure it is a noble variety. Furthermore, the testing must screen for contaminants like heavy metals (including lead, arsenic, and cadmium) and microbial threats such as mold, yeast, and Salmonella.
The extraction method used to create the concentrate is another factor that impacts the safety profile of the final product. Traditional preparation uses water, while commercial extracts often use food-grade ethanol or supercritical CO2 to isolate the kavalactones. Solvents like acetone and other harsh chemicals are sometimes used in non-traditional extracts, but these are often linked to a higher risk of adverse health outcomes. The highest quality extracts are typically made using water, food-grade ethanol, or CO2, which are considered safer solvents for botanical products.