The TRU KAVA Difference

Not All Kava is Created Equal

First of all when we even say the word kava in reference to a product, we really have to clarify what it is we are actually referring to.  There is a massive spectrum of different strains and forms of kava that can vary drastically in terms of their quality, potency, purity and overall effects profile. It’s very similar to the world of cannabis. When someone refers to a specific product as just cannabis, are they talking about highly psychoactive medical marijuana or non-psychoactive CBD? Technically they are both cannabis but are drastically different in terms of their effects. And even within the marijuana category there are hundreds of different strains all with varying effects. The situation with kava is very similar. There are over 200 different varieties of kava, all with varying effects due to slight differences in chemical properties. Just like with cannabis, some strains are more daytime oriented and accentuate more of kava’s nootropic and mind activating effects. Other strains accentuate more of kava’s sedating qualities and are best taken in the evening or at night. However all strains of kava contain the general spectrum of anxiolytic effects that the plant has become most famous for, but just to varying degrees. But within this massive spectrum of different strains that contain different effects there is also another sub classification system that categorizes strains based on potency and tolerability for regular daily use.

 

Daily use varieties vs. other kava varieties

Although there are hundreds of strains of kava, there is one main class of strains that have been proven out to be virtually 100 percent side effect free for long term daily use, both through scientific studies and a 3000 year history of safe use by indigenous islanders. This class is referred to as “noble kava”. Noble kavas are the absolute highest quality of all kava cultivars. In fact, these are the only varieties that the islanders will consume daily due to their very smooth yet potent nature. Most non-daily use strains are referred to as tudei kava varieties”, which are traditionally used only for acute medicinal purposes in the islands and are virtually never consumed daily due to their extremely high intensity and possibility for potential side effects. Although there is no evidence to suggest that they are unsafe if prepared traditionally, their extremely potent and semi-rough nature can create side effects that include feelings of nausea and lethargy that can last up to two days. This is mainly due to the fact that they contain very high amounts of certain chemical compounds that can irritate the gut and cause roughage. Even though there is no reason to believe that tudei varieties are inherently dangerous, they still can potentially make you feel crappy and they have not been observed or studied for long term daily use. So unless you have a more extreme acute medical circumstance, it is recommended to only purchase and consume lab tested, noble kava varieties and to avoid consumption of non-noble tudei (two-day) varieties. Most kava on the market is unfortunately not 100% noble, so to avoid purchasing tudei kava, it is best to do some research and learn about the reputation of the company selling the kava. However, when it comes to purchasing kava, there are far bigger issues with most of what is touted as “kava” on the market today.

 

Most Kava Currently On The Market Is Not True Kava At All

Traditional kava is prepared by placing the ground root powder into a strainer bag and kneading it in a bowl of cold water, in which the root’s kavalactones are released and the water is then consumed. Traditional kava has always been the only form that provides the full therapeutic effects, because it retains the complete spectrum of active constituents that make up the full living essence of the plant.  However, this method is very tedious and time consuming to prepare. It also has a very earthy taste that can be quite unpleasant for some and hard to consume in some cases, especially on a regular basis. For all of these reasons, the traditional kava preparation has been almost completely overlooked by commercial herb manufacturers and has until now had almost no presence in the marketplace and has only been used by a small percentage of connoisseurs that were willing to deal with the inconvenience.

Although extracts labeled “kava kava” (in the form of capsules, liquids, pastes or tea bags) have been available in select health food stores for years, these products generally meet almost none of the qualification standards to be actually classified as “kava”. Therefore they are not at all considered “true kava” but instead “kava –like products” which have almost none of the effects that the plant is so prized for in the islands. The official definition of kava (as stated in the KAVA ACT passed in Parliament in Vanuatu in 2002) is “the solvent free water extraction from only the roots of Piper Methysticum (kava)”. This means in order to be classified as kava it has to be made with only water and pressure like how it is done with traditional preparation. Think of it just like coffee. You can’t chemically isolate caffeine out of coffee beans and call it coffee. At that point it is something different that is not near as safe or effective. It’s a caffeine pill. So these kava-like extracts on the market cannot be referred to as kava, they are something else that’s far inferior. When you understand this it becomes clear that real kava is not really present at all in the global market place and is almost completely unknown to the vast majority of people.

These “kava-like” products currently on the market are not full spectrum in terms of their active chemical profile because they are virtually all extracted using alcohol or chemical solvents that have limited extraction capabilities. These solvents capture too much of certain constituents and don’t capture other constituents at all. These extraction methods imbalance the ratios of the active compounds, which denatures them and is what leads to the loss of most of the effects in these products.  Not only do most of these companies perform their extractions using aggressive solvents, but many also expose the material to high temperatures and high oxygen levels during processing that denature the kava further. This leads to products that contain little to none of the effects that the traditional kava preparation is so prized for in the islands. When kava is processed this way, it loses virtually all of its mood and cognitive boosting effects and a large portion of its anxiolytic effects. What you are usually left with in these products is not much different than an average cup of chamomile tea, instead of the powerhouse mind elixir that is so sacred to Pacific islanders. Many of these products are also adulterated with mold, mycotoxins, industrial chemicals, low grade kava varieties, and non-root aerial plant parts that are not safe for human consumption. So the difference between many of these undesirable kava products and true traditional kava can be as drastic as the difference between organically grown hemp CBD and pesticide sprayed hybridized highly psychoactive marijuana.

 

TRU KAVATM  An Industry Leader

When looking for a safe reliable kava product, you want to make sure to do your due diligence and find a product that is not only free of all these contaminants, but is made from 100% root material of safe noble kava varieties. The best kava products on the market that meet all of these quality standards are made by TRU KAVATM (www.trukava.com).  Absolutely no pesticides or industrial chemicals are used at any step of their process. Each batch of kava root is independent lab tested to ensure that it meets all of these strict quality and safety standards. Their products are also very versatile. They come ready to use and are very palatable, leaving no unpleasant after taste.

Their break though product KAVAPLEXTM is the world’s first and only full spectrum, shelf stable kava oil. They use a proprietary lightly filtered solvent free extraction method that uses high pressure at very low temperatures, capturing the root’s full complex of kavalactones and other active constituents. They also have other kava products that are virtually indistinguishable from traditional kava in terms of their composition and effects and new products on the horizon. They use the most potent, premium kava varieties in all their products that are totally free of all contaminants.

TRU KAVATM is on the absolute cutting edge when it comes to kava advocacy and innovation. They are the first and only company in the world doing anything like this with kava in the mass market. Real kava, like CBD, is truly a hidden gem that is finally starting to surface into the public consciousness. Many experts believe that companies like TRU KAVATM are setting the stage for an explosive global trend with kava that will emerge in the coming years, which totally has the capability to become as big as CBD and as common as a cup of coffee.

 

 

*This product nor any of these statements is not intended to diagnose, prevent, treat or cure disease and has not been evaluated by the FDA. Not recommended for pregnant or nursing women. Ask a healthcare professional before use if you have had liver problems, frequently use alcohol or are taking any medications. The information contained herein is for informational purposes only and does not establish a doctor-patient relationship. These therapies are not substitutes for standard medical care. Consult your physician before taking this or any other product.