Key Takeaways
- Myth: kava and kratom are the same. Fact: they are different plants; Uchie has no kratom.
- Myth: kava is alcoholic. Fact: kava is non-alcoholic.
- Myth: the tongue tingle is bad. Fact: it is a normal, harmless signature.
- Always read the label and the safety guidance.
Written by Maya Ellison, Uchie Editorial. Last updated July 17, 2026.
Is kava the same as kratom?
No, and this is the most common mix-up. Kava and kratom are different plants with different traditions and effects. Kava comes from Piper methysticum; kratom is something else entirely. Uchie is made with kava only and contains no kratom.
If a myth is worth busting first, it is this one. See our full kava vs kratom comparison for the details.
Is kava alcoholic?
No. Kava is non-alcoholic. People sometimes assume any 'relaxing' adult drink must contain alcohol, but kava's character comes from the plant, not from ethanol. Uchie contains no alcohol.
That is exactly why so many people use kava as a non-alcoholic option for social moments.
Does the tongue tingle mean something is wrong?
Not at all. A brief, mild tingle or numbness on the lips and tongue is a normal, harmless signature of a fresh kava drink. It fades quickly and is simply a sign you are drinking real kava.
Knowing what to expect makes the first sip a lot less surprising. For more, see our first-timer's guide.
Sources
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) — Kava.