Sacred Root Kava Lounge & Tea Bar is now barred from selling its signature kava drink due to a new New York State Department of Health regulation.  Located at 139 West State St. beneath The Sun’s office, the downtown Ithaca staple offers a space for customers to relax, enjoy live music and connect with one another. As the only kava-focused establishment in Tompkins County, Sacred Root has built a dedicated following. Sacred Root’s kava drink was made by steeping the root of the kava plant in water. Kava, a shrub native to the South Pacific, has been used by Pacific Islanders to promote physical relaxation for medicinal and ceremonial purposes. …