The Piper methysticum plant, also known as kava, or yaqona, can be brewed to make a relaxing tea, commonly used as a natural sleep aid. Ground kava root can be purchased at health food stores and is the preferred form of kava to use when making tea. Though the process of making kava tea is fairly simple, it is important to ensure that kava root clumps are not left in the tea, which can result in a gritty texture and bitter flavor.
Step 1
Add 1/2 cup powdered kava root to the bowl. Pour 3 cups of hot water into the bowl.
Step 2
Stir the kava root and hot water with a spoon until no large lumps of kava root remain, which might require three to five minutes. Small lumps, about the size of a small grain of rice, may remain.
Step 3
Strain the kava tea with the wire strainer. Hold the strainer over a large bowl and pour the tea through the strainer. The strainer will catch any small clumps of kava root.
Step 4
Strain the kava tea through the cheesecloth. Do this by lining the wire strainer with the cheesecloth and straining the tea in the same fashion that you strained it with the wire strainer. This will remove any small particles of kava root that did not dissolve.
Step 5
Pour the tea into a pot and simmer over medium heat for one to two minutes. Remove the tea from the heat and store the tea in an airtight container in the refrigerator until you are ready to use it.
Things You'll Need
- Powdered kava root
- Large bowls
- Spoon
- Measuring cups
- Wire strainer
- Cheesecloth
- Pot
- Airtight container
References
- "The Herbal Home Remedy Book: Simple Recipes for Tinctures, Teas, Salves, Tonics, and Syrups"; Joyce Wardwell; 1998
- "Making Plant Medicine"; Richo Cech et al; 2000
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