“Alcohol is so 2014. Try kava”
reads a chalkboard outside a bar in Florida serving this drink that they dare to say can replace alcohol and anti-anxiety drugs. Kava has been used by tribes in the South Pacific for more than 2.000 years. Tongans, Hawaiians, Fijians and Samoans have all drunk the infusion of kava root in festive or welcoming ceremonies.
Since its arrival in the USA and Australia, it may be one of the greatest experiments to imagine the social and nightlife of young people in big cities without alcohol. And since the 70s, when it was first studied, it has been considered as a possible substitute for alcohol.
The secret lies in the resin of this root, which is as fibrous as wood. Its properties make it extremely relaxing. Not in vain do those who have tried it say that it makes stress slip away from your body and you feel carefree, friendly and happy. But with a fresh mind.
It is prepared by grinding the root into a fine powder, which must be mixed with water. It is then filtered through a cloth to obtain a milky liquid.
But far from being appetizing, kava tea is actually quite repulsive. Some people think it tastes like mud or a dirty puddle. They recommend drinking it in one gulp, because after it passes through the throat, the stomach protests and can even make you gag.
That is why some serve it with a piece of pineapple or with a syrup of flowers and spices.
However, it seems that paying around 10 Euros for this unpleasant experience is worth it. After ingestion, the positive effects begin to be noticed after 10 or 15 minutes if the dosage has been chosen correctly.
However, kava is not without its dangers and it is still not known why it can be toxic. Scientists at the University of Sydney have confirmed that it has caused liver damage that has led to death and is responsible for scaly, itchy skin. It can also cause vomiting, weight loss, impotence and a lack of sexual desire.
It is clear that, as they cause a great deal of activity in the liver, like alcohol, they should not be mixed. Nor is it advisable to drive after ingestion. But the other reasons for their toxicity are unknown after more than 15 years of research.
The owners of the more than 20 kava bars that have sprung up in the United States argue that although the root can cause some adverse reactions, whether due to sensitivity or incorrect consumption, it cannot compare with the alcohol that kills 88.000 Americans each year, according to the National Institutes of Health.
What is clear is that with kava you don't suffer from the hateful hangover the day after and it only requires one ritual: shouting "Bula!" (good health) before the first sip.
Source: PlayGround
