Friends of the Village Chief in Vanuatu
Friends of the Village Chief in Vanuatu
Kava is an ancient and traditional drink from the South Pacific. It is extracted from the roots and rhizomes of the kava plant that grows in Vanuatu and other South Pacific islands. The active ingredients are known as kavalactones and these calm the mind and ease the body.
The origins of Kava drinking in the South Pacific date back over 3,000 years, where it has played an important ceremonial and bonding role in island villages. It is particularly valued for helping create good feelings between people and for its therapeutic benefits.Kava drinking is often causal, but also plays an important role in village ceremonies such as welcoming, naming, initiation, healing, marriages and funerals. For traditional use, the kava plant is harvested and the roots are prepared by either chewing, grinding or pounding. The ground root/bark is combined with a little water or coconut milk. Communal drinking uses a large shared bowl and begins with the village chief or important visitor. It is customary to clap your hands once before you drink and three times after you drink!Kava has traditionally been used in the South Pacific Islands to induce a calm, relaxed state that helps relieve stress and anxiety and contributes to restful sleep patterns and overall mental wellbeing. It is also known to temporarily relieve muscular pain and joint stiffness.
KavaKing sources only the best kava – the original and authentic kava from Vanuatu! In Vanuatu, exportation of kava is strictly regulated. Only strains they deem as 'noble' varieties that are not too weak or too potent are allowed to be exported. Only the most desirable strains for everyday drinking are selected to be noble varieties to maintain quality control. In addition, their laws mandate that exported kava must be at least five years old and farmed organically. KavaKing uses only water extracted kava. Many kava products purchased outside Australia are extracted using solvents such as acetone, but because they can contain solvent residues, they are outlawed in Australia for safety reasons.
Everyone is different, but Kava consumption usually produces an initial sense of well-being and talkativeness that encourages social bonding. That is followed by muscle relaxation and easing of pains, and eventually sleepiness. People often report pleasantly tingling lips!Kava plays a similar social role to alcohol in Western societies - but has the benefit of not diminishing cognitive performance and it is NOT an alcoholic beverage.
