Portal:Oceania/Selected article/December, 2006

Kava (Piper methysticum) is an ancient crop of the western Pacific. Other names for kava include awa (Hawaii),  'ava (Samoa), yaqona (Fiji), and sakau (Pohnpei). Kava is related to the black pepper; both have heart-shaped leaves and flowers similar to the flower spike of the anthurium.

In many areas, like Fiji and Tonga, it is consumed as a herbal tea produced by straining a mixture consisting of water and the shredded, pounded, or dried root and/or stump of the plant. The plant may also be chewed as part of preparing the kava using this method. Kava has a peppery taste and has long been a part of religious, political, and cultural life throughout the Pacific.

The effects of drinking kava, in order of sensation, are slight tongue and lip numbing caused by the contraction of the blood vessels in these areas (the lips and skin surrounding may appear unusually pale); mildly talkative and euphoric behavior; calming, sense of well-being, clear thinking; and relaxed muscles. Sleep is often restful and there are no after-effects the next day. List of selected articles