Karuna Kava (Rotating Flavors) Fresh Green Nene Hawaiian 'Awa

Karuna Kava (Rotating Flavors) Fresh Green Nene Hawaiian 'Awa comes from a non-alcoholic kava brewery, and these pouches are its fresh green Hawaiian 'Awa, hand prepared and ready to drink. The base is Nene, a Hawaiian kava cultivar renowned for a refreshingly easy flavor, blended in the featured recipe with pineapple puree, lemongrass and peppermint and lightly sweetened with local Idaho honey. The result is smooth, tasty and delightfully refreshing. Flavors rotate, so the pairing you receive may vary from the pineapple blend described here, while the kava underneath stays the same.

At a glance

• Fresh green Hawaiian 'Awa from Karuna Kava, hand prepared and ready to drink
• Base is Nene, a Hawaiian noble cultivar prized for a mellow character
• Featured blend: pineapple puree, lemongrass, peppermint and local Idaho honey
• Flavors rotate, so your pairing may vary; the kava stays the same
• No kavalactone percentage stated
• Each pouch holds three servings; packs of 2, 6 or 12; store refrigerated

The herb. Kava, Piper methysticum, is a pepper-family shrub carried across the Pacific by voyaging peoples and cultivated for its root for more than three thousand years, from Vanuatu, Fiji and Tonga to Hawaii, where it is called 'awa. Hawaiians grew named cultivars for ceremony and for the end of a working day, and Nene is one of those heritage varieties, a noble kava prized for a mellow character. Green kava, meaning fresh root rather than dried, keeps a brighter, cleaner flavor and is the traditional way 'awa was prepared on the islands.

What's in it. The kava contributes its natural kavalactones, and Nene leans toward the mellow, calming end of that spectrum. Around it are pineapple puree for body and sweetness, lemongrass for a citrus lift, peppermint for a cool finish, and a light touch of honey. No kavalactone percentage is stated for these pouches, and we do not estimate one. The kavalactones:

• Kavain: the quick, heady, uplifting one
• Dihydrokavain: smoother and longer
• Methysticin and dihydromethysticin: the heavy, body-focused pair
• Yangonin and desmethoxyyangonin: round out the session

Dosage, first time. Traditionally prepared kava settles, so before opening, push any kava back from the mouthpiece into the pouch and shake it vigorously, or pour it into a bowl and stir. Start with one serving, a third of the pouch, on an empty stomach and away from meals. Numb lips are a natural effect of kava and arrive within minutes; a calm, mellow ease follows over the next half hour. Wait at least an hour before your second serving. Kava's reverse tolerance means the first pouch or two may feel mild.

Regular use. Once you know your response, most people pace a pouch over an afternoon or evening, since each pouch contains three servings. Keep it refrigerated between servings and finish it promptly once opened. There is no reason to exceed the three servings it is portioned for.

What to expect. Users describe Nene as very calming and mellow, a soft, settled feeling that makes it a great afternoon and evening sipper. The flavor is the draw here: fruity, herbal and lightly sweet, with the pepperiness of the kava tucked underneath, easy enough for people who dislike traditional kava. It is not a shelf-stable drink and it is not a heavy night kava; for a stronger, body-heavy session made from dried root, see our Instant Kava 6.62% Kavalactones. If you want a canned kava drink that does not need refrigeration, try Leilo Tonic Kava Drink.

Side effects. Numbness of the lips and mouth is expected and passes. Drinking a full pouch quickly or drinking it after a big meal can bring nausea, so slow down and keep it away from food. Larger amounts can make you drowsy. Dry, flaky skin can appear with heavy long-term kava use and clears once you stop. Reduce the serving or take a break if any of these show up.

Interactions and cautions.

• Do not drink Karuna Kava with alcohol, sedatives or benzodiazepine medications
• Consult a professional before use if you have a liver condition or take any medication metabolized by the liver
• Drink it away from meals and do not drive until you know your response
• Not for use if pregnant or nursing; the mouthpiece can present a choking hazard for small children, so keep pouches away from them
• Do not consume if the pouch is leaking, bloated or inflated; for adults 21+ only

Ingredients and storage. Fresh green Nene Hawaiian 'awa (Piper methysticum), pineapple puree, lemongrass, peppermint, local Idaho honey, with fruit and herb pairings that rotate by batch. Store refrigerated at all times, shake before drinking, and discard any pouch that is leaking or swollen.

Common questions

• How many servings are in a Karuna Kava pouch? Three, so a first-timer should drink about a third of the pouch and wait.
• Why does my mouth go numb after drinking Karuna Kava? That tingling is a natural effect of kavalactones on the lips and tongue and fades on its own.
• Does Karuna Kava need to be refrigerated? Yes, it is a fresh, hand-prepared kava drink and must be kept cold and never consumed if the pouch has bloated.

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. Made by Karuna Kava and sold by Healing Herbals, run by a practicing herbalist of 13+ years.