Dried Kava Leaf (Piper Methysticum)

Dried Kava Leaf (Piper Methysticum) is unusual because almost every kava product is made from the root, and this one is not. It comes from a sustainable farm in Hawaii that prepares its leaves for tea, sublingual use or smoking, and it is very heady and uplifting.

At a glance

• Dried kava leaf, not root, from a sustainable farm in Hawaii
• Prepared as a tea, held sublingually or smoked
• Very heady and uplifting, without the heaviness of root
• No kavalactone percentage stated
• Offered in 7 grams, 14 grams and 1 oz

The herb. Kava, Piper methysticum, is a Pacific pepper-family shrub grown from Vanuatu, Fiji and Tonga to Hawaii, where it is known as 'awa; its root has been a drink for more than three thousand years.

What's in it. No kavalactone percentage is stated, and we do not assign one. The six kavalactones are kavain, dihydrokavain, methysticin, dihydromethysticin, yangonin and desmethoxyyangonin.

Dosage and use. No serving is printed, so start small; effects arrive quickly and feel light. Give it half an hour before more, and take it away from meals.

• Tea: steep 1 to 2 teaspoons of leaf in 8 oz of hot water for 5 to 10 minutes, strain, and sip half a cup first
• Sublingual: tuck a small pinch under the tongue or cheek for a few minutes, then discard it
• Smoking: take a single small draw and wait

What to expect. Heady, bright and uplifting, with a green flavor unlike root. It is not a night kava; for that, our Kava Whole Intact Dry Roots are the traditional material. For the same leaf rolled and ready to light, see our Kava Leaf Pre Roll.

Side effects. A tingling or numb mouth is normal and passes quickly. Too much leaf, or leaf after a meal, can bring mild nausea. Smoke can irritate the throat, so keep draws small.

Interactions and cautions.

• Do not combine with alcohol, sedatives or benzodiazepine medications
• Anyone with a liver condition or on a liver-metabolized medication should talk to a professional first
• Use it away from meals, and do not drive until you know how the leaf affects you
• Not for use while pregnant or nursing; adults 21+ only, keep out of reach of children

Ingredients and storage. Dried kava leaf (Piper methysticum), sustainably farmed in Hawaii, nothing added. Store airtight in a cool, dark, dry place.

Common questions

• Can you really smoke dried kava leaf? Yes, it is prepared for smoking as well as tea and sublingual use.
• How is kava leaf different from kava root? The leaf carries a different kavalactone balance and a bright, uplifting effect instead of the heavy body calm of root.

Disclaimer. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Kava is a traditional botanical, and traditional use does not establish that it will produce any particular result. Consult your healthcare provider before use if you take any medication or have a medical condition. Use at your own risk and keep out of reach of children. Formulated by Healing Herbals, run by a practicing herbalist of 13+ years.