Kava or Piper methysticum is a small shrub with heart shaped leaves which is native to the Pacific Islands. Its leaves can be crushed to create a potent juice with mildly stimulant and psychoactive effects. Many Pacific Island cultures revere kava, with their own unique kava traditions. Kava extract is also available in many health food stores, as some people believe that it can benefit people with stress, anxiety, or depression.

This bush has distinctive heart-shaped leaves and racemes or spikes of flowers, with dense woody stems. People traditionally gather the leaves to produce kava drinks. In some regions, the leaves are chewed and spat out, while other regions use grinding tools to press their kava. The pressing releases the bitter greenish juice from the kava; the finer the grind, the more juice is extracted, which is why some cultures prefer to chew their kava leaves.

The resulting liquid is also called kava, and it may also be known as kawa, kava kava, sakau, yaqona, awa, or 'ava. In the Pacific Islands, kava is consumed socially in friendly groups, and guests may be offered kava as a gesture of friendship and goodwill. Depending on the potency of the extract, people may experience mild euphoria or extreme intoxication. People who have consumed kava say that the drink is quite relaxing while being simultaneously stimulating, and they often feel a sense of immense clarity when consuming kava.

Numerous traditional island populations cultivate specific varietals of kava, some of which are extremely potent. In some regions, legislation has been put in place to control kava quality and consumption, out of concern for potentially deleterious health and social effects. In regions which produce extracts for commercial sale, dried kava may be used since it is easier to handle.

Like many herbal remedies, kava is difficult to study because it comes in varying strengths which make it hard to pin down safe dosages and effectiveness. It does appear to be potentially detrimental to the liver, so people with liver conditions should probably avoid kava. It also seems to have at least mild sedative effects, and it is something to be considered in a treatment plan for insomnia or stress. As with other herbs, patients should always disclose kava use to medical professionals to avoid drug conflicts, and you may want to consult a doctor before using kava to make sure that it is the right choice for you.