What is Kava?
Kava is an ancient shrub crop mainly found in the Pacific Islands. The term refers to the plant and the beverage extracted from it. The scientific name is Piper methysticum which piper means pepper in latin and methysticum means intoxicating in Greek.
It is a member of the black pepper family and kava’s active properties stems from the kavalactones found mostly in the roots. It is believed to have originated from Melanesia. Kava grows plentiful in the sun-drenched islands of Polynesia. For centuries the islanders has drank kava and it was only during Captain Cook’s voyage to the Pacific in 1768-1771 that the English first came across the plant and its drinking in sacred ceremonies.
According to Captain Cook’s account, natives pounded or chewed the root and blend it with water to make a brownish, often bitter brew which they then drink for its psychoactive properties. Thought to be a soothing drink with alleged medicinal effects, kava has been observed to calm nerves, ease stress as well as anxiety and fatigue. It’s also thought to have anti-depressant components to fight the “blues” and bring on a happy, tranquil state.
Kava is used by Pacific islanders for treating ailments like migraine headaches and cramps. It also keeps the mind alert as the body relaxes. The kava beverage still plays a significant role in Fijian, Samoan, and Tongan societies where it is consumed in ceremonies meant to validate their social identities, honor visitors, and unite participants.
Kava is so widespread in Oceania that it can be perceived as the one item in the Pacific peoples’ material culture that links them across the ocean. It is seen to have a comparable sociological role to the chewing of coca leaves in Peru, the use of opium in the Middle East and Asia, and the use of peyote in many Native American tribes. Due to restrictions by missionaries and the introduction of alcohol, which was non-existent in Oceania prior to first contact, the use of kava has diminished especially amongst the “westernized” youth. Despite this, kava is still a sacramental drink, most especially in Western Polynesia in both formal and informal ceremonies. There is now a growing interest in kava because the pacific islanders gained political independence and has renewed concern for ethnic traditions. The kava drink still maintains a key position and continues to serve as medicine for various ailments, social beverage and as a soothing relaxant in islands such as Fiji, Tonga and Samoa.
