Noble Kava introduced into artemis Sleep and De-Stress Range
This fast-acting plant is a hero in our latest products to support stress, overwhelm, and sleep.
All natural, plant-based formulas have been used to help support and nourish the nervous system in cultures all over the world.
Kava (Piper methysticum) has been for its calming and relaxing properties. It is used to support sleep, relax the body and calm and soothe the nerves.
Kava is related to the New Zealand Kawakawa (Piper excelsum), which shows in the signature heart-shaped leaves of both plants, however they have very different actions in the body.
Where is Kava from?
Kava is an important plant in the South Pacific. It has been used for health purposes, recreationally, and as part of ceremony for hundreds of years. Many legends surround this sacred plant, and it was so treasured that early Pacific explorers took Kava with them as they travelled in search of other lands. The plant was first domesticated around 3000 years ago, and it is an important part of the culture in every Pacific Island nation in which it is grown.
Kava preparations
For cultural use, sun-dried or fresh Kava root or rhizome is crushed or ground then combined with water and/or coconut milk, which is then filtered before being consumed. In Western countries, Kava has also been extracted using ethanol and/or water since at least the mid-19th century, and correctly prepared extracts have been used safely and effectively since that time.
Ingredient Origins
Like all plants, there are many different varieties of Kava. Different varieties have different levels of plant constituents, which can lead to very different extracts and therefore end products.
The two cultivars of Kava most commonly grown in the Pacific are “Noble” and “Tu Dei”. While Noble varieties are well-tolerated, the Tu Dei varieties can cause feelings of lethargy and nausea that can last up to two days, hence the name.
Traditionally, Noble Kava varieties have been used in the Pacific Islands for cultural and health purposes, but because the Tu Dei variety grows more quickly, it found its way into the Western market as demand for Kava has increased. For this reason, it is important for you to be confident the products you purchase contain only Noble Kava.
artemis suppliers grow Noble varieties, from which extracts are prepared using rigorous manufacturing standards. We make sure every batch is certified, so we know we are providing the best product possible.
Why we choose to formulate with it
artemis specialises in high-strength 100% plant formulas based on traditional remedies which are backed by science.
Kava is one of the best-researched and fastest-acting plant extracts to support stress, overwhelm, and sleep. artemis selected this plant for its proven power, which has been both traditionally and scientifically validated.
In lower doses it:
- Calms tension, stress and worry
- Relaxes a busy mind
- Helps build resilience to stress
- Eases nervous tension
When you increase the dose, Kava can be used to support deep and restorative sleep:
- Supports falling and staying asleep
- Supports night-time recovery in stressful times
- Supports a healthy sleep pattern
What form is the Kava in in the artemis Deep Sleep and De-Stress Spray?
Kava root or rhizome is traditionally ground into a fine powder before being extracted in water. In Deep Sleep, artemis uses a water extract that has been dried and powdered, to ensure an effective, known quantity of Kava per dose.
You will notice the liquid is cloudy and may find that some of the powder sits on the bottom of your bottle – this is totally normal, and similar to traditional kava preparations. artemis products contain no emulsifiers, or other additives (an emulsifier is an ingredient added to help ingredients stay mixed together and not separate out), because we prefer to keep things as natural as possible. This means that the Kava powder will not artificially suspend in the liquid and can settle to the bottom.
Simply shake the bottle well before using.
In De-Stress Spray, artemis uses Kava that has been extracted in a mixture of ethanol and water. This enables an effective dose without the risk of powdered Kava clogging up the spray mechanism.
Experience – a numbing sensation
One of Kava’s natural properties is that it produces a slight numbing sensation in the mouth. This is a good thing because it means that the product contains good amounts of the kavalactones (the marker compounds in Kava).
Who are the Sleep/Stress products for?
The De-Stress Spray formula is for anyone who wants fast, powerful stress support that is well-tolerated, all natural, and suitable for long-term use. The convenient small bottle and spray application means that you can pop the De-Stress spray in your bag or keep in your desk drawer, so it can be used discreetly whenever you need it most.
De-Stress Spray is a first choice for:
- Stressed/overwhelmed parents
- People with busy or stressful jobs
- Students who need a bit of extra support during exams or when assignment deadlines are looming
De-Stress Spray’s companion product, the high-strength Deep Sleep formula, supports healthy sleep patterns without causing drowsiness the next day.
Deep Sleep is a great natural solution for:
- When racing thoughts are preventing you getting to sleep or waking you in the night
- When nervous and/or muscle tension has you feeling wound up and you can’t relax
- People who have a disordered sleep pattern and want support to get back into a healthier sleep routine
Safety precautions
While traditionally prepared Kava has an excellent safety profile, not all products are suitable for everyone and we recommend De-Stress/Deep Sleep for adults and children over the age of 12.
At a higher dose of Kava, such as that in the Deep Sleep, we recommend checking with your healthcare practitioner first if you are also taking sedative or dopaminergic medication. Additionally, as safety data is limited in this dose for people who are pregnant or breastfeeding, we recommend that you seek advice from a healthcare practitioner first, or try artemis Deep Sleep Tea.
Please do not take De-Stress/Deep Sleep if you have known allergy to any of the plants in the formula.
Historical safety concerns
Kava has been used safely in the Pacific for centuries. When it became popular in the West in the late 1990s, concerns were raised about the possibility of ethanol kava extracts causing liver toxicity. Until this time Kava extracts had been considered exceptionally safe. In the decade prior, 450 million doses of kava had been taken in Germany alone, with no recorded adverse effects.
Much research has since been done to figure out why this plant that had been safely used for such a long time was suddenly causing health concerns. Reports regarding liver-toxicity have now been attributed to several different causes, including the use of inappropriate cultivars such as the Tu Dei variety, using stem peelings instead of root or rhizome, inappropriate use of kava alongside medication, or use of an acetone extract.
This illustrates the importance of using a product for which you are confident the production process has included rigorous quality control. artemis has stringent quality standards that ensure only carefully prepared Noble Kava root or rhizome is used.
Today, Noble Kava is a widely accepted and popular health product ingredient used in New Zealand, USA, Australia and many other countries for natural, effective, nervous system support.
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