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 …

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 …

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 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...

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.

Kava is considered unsafe due to many reports of fatal effects on the liver, including hepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver failure. Even short-term use (1 to 3 months) may increase your risk of liver damage.

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.

3 days ago · Learn how to determine safe kava dosage, see a simple format-based chart, understand onset and duration, and get beginner-friendly guidance.

Jan 19, 2025 · Kava is a beverage prepared from the pulverized or ground roots of the Piper methysticum plant—a shrub indigenous to various Pacific Islands such as Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, …

Kava is the common name for Piper methysticum — a member of the Piperaceae (pepper) family. This makes it a close relative of black pepper (Piper nigrum). On the South Pacific Islands where kava …