Kava Extracts from
around the world
Kava extracts from around the world. Kava extract is an extract of kava (Piper methysticum) root. Accordingly, the end goal in all extracts is to concentrate the amount of kavalactones. This means there is less bulk required to achieve larger amounts of kava lactones. Once a kava concentrate is achieved, it can then be applied for ease of shipping and then applied to value-added kava products. Examples of value-added kava product include:
- Ready-to-Drink Kava products (canned or bottled)
- Encapsulation for kava pills
- Use in food products
- Use for medicinal purposes.
Below are some examples of kava extracts.
Kava extracts from around the world - Alcohol Extraction
Tincture alcohol extraction is a process that uses alcohol to extract kavalactones from the kava root. This process is common in the production of tinctures and other products. Alcohol extraction process involves soaking kava root in alcohol for a certain amount of time, then filtering out the solids and leaving behind an alcoholic liquid with high levels of kavalactones.
Alcohol extraction in the USA began in the early 1900s when people started to experiment with tinctures as a way to consume kava. The first commercialized kava tincture was made by a German chemist named Dr. Paul Brunton, who created an alcohol-based product that he called “Kava Kava Extractum”, which sold well throughout Europe and America.
In the 1950s, a French scientist named Dr. Henri Laborit experimented with using kava extract as an anti-anxiety medication for patients undergoing surgery. His findings were published in 1957, and this publication led to an increase in interest about kava’s effects on anxiety and stress levels among scientists and laypeople alike.
By the 1970s, there were dozens of different brands available for purchase online or in stores across America. Whilst many of them were made from powdered extracts of kava roots, a lot of folk were unsatisfied with these products. Primarily, this was because they didn’t contain enough active components from their plants or had other ingredients that interfered with absorption rates.
Aqueous extraction
Aqueous kava extracts are made by extracting the kavalactones from the roots of the kava plant. This can be done by grinding up the kava root and then adding water, or by soaking the kava root in water for a period of time. The resulting liquid is then filtered, leaving behind a thick liquid that can be used as an extract.
Aqueous kava extracts are used in a variety of ways: they can be added to beverages like tea or coffee, they can be used in cooking as flavoring agents, and they can also be taken directly as a medicine. The most popular product that is made using aqueous extraction are Instant Kava products such as the one shown here.
CO2 extraction
CO2 kava extracts are made by extracting the active ingredients from kava root using carbon dioxide. The CO2 is then recycled, so there’s no waste or negative environmental impact.
CO2 kava extracts are used to make products like energy drinks and supplements, as well as food items like ice cream. They’re also used in cosmetics and skin care products, as they have anti-inflammatory properties. it is important to note that CO2 extracts are extremely difficult to work with as the end product is like a thick sump oil that does not blend easily with food and beverages. However it does work well with medicinal products.
Kava Extracts Summary
Kava has a long history of use in Polynesian culture, and there are several different ways to extract its active ingredients. Currently, it is imported into the United States and other parts of the world as a dietary supplement or beverage. The most important part of Kava supplementation, regardless of how it is extracted, is to start with small doses and work your way up to a maintenance dosage. The effects of this increased dose may be very different from what you experienced earlier in the process. Nevertheless, over time you can learn which type of Kava extracts from around the world works best for you.