Kava can refer to either the plant or a psychoactive beverage made from its root. The beverage is a traditional ceremonial and recreational drink from Polynesia, Micronesia, and Melanesia. Nakamals …

Kava is a beverage or extract made from the Piper methysticum plant. In the South Pacific, it's a popular drink that is used in ceremonies for relaxation. The name "kava" comes from the...

Feb 8, 2023 · Kava is an extract that comes from a shrub called Piper methysticum, which is native to Micronesia and Polynesia. “The root is emulsified to make an intoxicating beverage,” Dr. Goldman …

Feb 10, 2018 · Kava is a tropical evergreen shrub with heart-shaped leaves and woody stems. Its scientific name is Piper methysticum. Pacific cultures traditionally use the kava drink during rituals and...

4 days ago · Kava, nonalcoholic euphoria-producing beverage made from the root of the pepper plant, principally Piper methysticum, in the South Pacific islands. It is yellow-green in color and somewhat …

Jan 19, 2025 · Across many Pacific Island cultures, kava (often called yaqona, ‘awa, or kava-kava) has flourished for centuries as a revered ceremonial and social beverage—a drink rooted in community, …

This fact sheet provides basic information about kava—common names, usefulness and safety, and resources for more information.

Oct 21, 2025 · Kava is used as a ceremonial drink in the Pacific Islands but is also promoted for medicinal purposes. Find out more about kava, its purported uses, and safety concerns.

Oct 22, 2025 · Kava (or kava kava) is an herbal remedy used to help with stress and anxiety. Explore the uses, side effects, benefits, and risks of taking kava.

Dec 4, 2025 · Kava, or Piper methysticum, is a perennial shrub belonging to the pepper family, cultivated for thousands of years across Polynesia, Melanesia, and Micronesia. The beverage derived from its …