Kava, also called “kava-kava,” is an herbal substance that
comes from the root of Piper methysticum – a plant native to the western Pacific Islands.
The name kava comes from the Polynesian word “awa” and literally means “intoxicating pepper.”
The substance has been used by native islanders for centuries as both a medicinal treatment
and a part of religious ceremonies due to its sedative, euphoriant, and psychotropic properties.
Typically consumed as either a beverage or extract, kava is considered to be non-alcoholic but
psychoactive.
As people have become increasingly interested in the concept of natural and herbal
remedies to treat various diseases and ailments in today’s society, kava has become more popular
and well-known.