Headaches, dizziness, and jitters leave much to be desired following an energy boost. And while mixed drinks and double-shot espressos can certainly prime the way for good times, kava pills and drinks dominate when it comes to enhancing everyday wellness and vitality. 

Kratom is a clean energy enhancer and kava can ease you into any situation, whether you’re hunkering down for an all-night study session or setting sail on cerulean ocean waves. And it’s all thanks to the plants' active compounds—kavalactones and kratom alkaloids.

That said, kava pills and drinks differ when it comes to serving size, taste, storage, and shelf life.

What Is Kava? 

Kava kava, or kava, is a plant within the pepper family that’s native to the South Pacific islands. Traditional kava use includes consumption during social settings or using it as a type of herbal medicine. Communities in this part of the world also dry and consume the kava root and have infused the extract into tea for centuries. (Trust us — authentic kava tea from Pacific Islander communities is a real treat!)

In fact, kava extract has a similar effect on the brain as alcohol (sans the hangover). It has a calming effect that can help you feel relaxed and happy. As such, it’s most often used in social gatherings and ceremonies.[1]

The kavalactones in kava plants can ease feelings of occasional anxiety, too, thanks to its relaxing properties. This soothing effect can give you more brain power to focus on the more important things in life.[2] 

What Is Kratom?

Kratom is a plant native to Southeast Asia that like kava has been used for centuries in its native land. But what is kratom used for, exactly? Kratom has been used to increase energy and productivity.

The Bountiful Benefits of Kava 

Regarding the various kava supplement benefits, kava products are jacks-of-all-trades when it comes to infusing you with a sense of relaxation. Looking to chat the night away at that holiday work party? Kava can give you the lift that makes socializing a breeze.

That said, kava touts a bounty of potential benefits, including:

• Mood improvement – Kava consumption can elevate your mood, making social gatherings easy and blissful.
• Energy enhancement – Compared to coffee or energy drinks, kratom can provide a clean, caffeine-free energy boost without crashes or jitters. Although caffeine can increase alertness in a similar way to kava, certain levels of caffeine can raise your adrenaline levels and may trigger feelings of occasional anxiety. Also,kava may promote feelings of relaxation.[3]
• Social ease – Kava can give you the social lubrication and confidence you need to feel cool, calm, and collected without the head-pounding hangover the following day. 
• Focus – Staying on task for hours on end can prove difficult, especially if you’ve got sleep on your mind. Fortunately, kratom can enhance productivity and increase focus.

What Sets Kava Pills and Drink Apart

So, kava pills vs drink—is one more effective than the other? In short, no. Botanic Tonics crafts each of our feel free products with a 10:1 ratio of kava and leaf kratom, balancing energy, relaxation, and focus.

Although you will achieve the same effect with either product, there are some slight differences between a kava drink and a capsule.

Serving Size 

Depending on the effect you desire, you can take one or two servings of either feel free tonic or  feel free capsules within a single day.

Single servings of tonic and capsules look like:

• feel free tonic – Half a bottle, containing 260 mg of kavalactones
• feel free capsules – Three capsules, containing 210 mg of kavalactones  

If you need an extra boost later in the day, you can repeat another single serving size of your preferred kava product. 

Taste

At Botanic Tonics, we believe our kava tonics are powerful and delicious. Even still, some people find that they’d rather enjoy the benefits of kava without its signature taste. If you’re looking for a tasteless yet potent kava consumption method, kava capsules will offer you that flavor-free boost you need. Take one or two servings with a bit of water or your favorate juice.

Let's talk about convenience when it comes to kava tonics versus capsules. It's all about finding what suits your lifestyle best!

Convenience

Imagine pouring yourself a quick serving of kava tonic, diluting it just the way you like, and savoring the moment. That's the beauty of kava tonics—they're easy to enjoy. We think they taste best when chilled, so storing yours in a cooler or insulated cup when traveling may be the best route. 

Now, picture popping a couple of kava capsules into your bag or pocket for a busy day ahead. No fuss, no mess—just straightforward consumption whenever and wherever you need it. With pre-measured doses and no strong taste, capsules are the epitome of convenience.

In a nutshell, whether you go for the customizable tonics or the grab-and-go capsules, it's all about what fits seamlessly into your life. 

 Storage and Shelf-Life

How long does kava last? Both kava drinks and capsules last for 12 months after their bottle or packet’s date of manufacture. Apart from this, there are slight differences in how you can store them:

• Storing Kava Drinks – Store your kava beverages upright and away from sunlight at a temperature between 65 and 75°F—think pantry or cupboard. However, for the best taste, store them in the fridge. And once you open a kava beverage, store it in the fridge at around 38°F and enjoy it within 48 hours.
  
• Storing Kava Capsules – Similarly to drinks, keep your kava capsules in a cool place, under 75°F. Additionally, find a humidity-free spot as they will last longer in a dry climate.

Which One Is Right for Me? 

Both forms of kava have their bonuses. Deciding which one is right for you depends on what type of lifestyle you lead and the situations when you’d like the extra boost.

For When You Have the Travel Bug

If you have places to be and people to see, opt for a pack of compact and convenient kava tablet capsules. 

Whereas you’ll want to toss your kava drink into the fridge once you open it and consume it within 48 hours, the kava powder in pill packets offers a bit more longevity upon opening. Are kava capsules effective? Absolutely! They allow you to enjoy kava in its lightest, most portable form—which is definitely worth it if you’re doing any air travel.

For the Sweat Session

If you’re looking for a plant-based, natural alternative to pre-workouts, energy drinks, and caffeine, both kava drinks and pills can act as your workout buddy. 

Going to the gym? Have a quick serving of the feel free Tonic before heading out the door. Or, keep a handy pack of capsules in your car or gym bag so that you know you’re always covered. You may find that the boost from the kava extract helps you beat your mile time or your next weightlifting PR!

Enjoy High-Quality Kava with Botanic Tonics 

Whichever form you choose to enjoy, you can expect productivity and energy without the jitters, crashes, or hangovers. 

At Botanic Tonics, we believe in the power of ancient plants. You can put your trust in each of our feel free products that we deliver right to your door.

Take the first step toward blissful living with our feel free kava tonic and kava capsules.

Sources: 

[1] WebMD. What is Kava Kava? https://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/what-is-kava-kava 

[2] Neural Regeneration Research. Neuroprotective properties of kavalactones. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4498339/ 

[3] San Diego Health. What Are the Negative Effects of Caffeine?  https://sandiegohealth.org/what-are-the-negative-effects-of-caffeine/ 

[4] American Addiction Centers. Effects of Alcohol on Your Body. https://alcohol.org/effects/