What is Kava?
{{Speciesbox |name = Kava |image =Starr 070515-7054 Piper methysticum.jpg |image_caption = ''Piper methysticum'' leaves |genus = Piper |species = methysticum |authority = [[Georg Forster|G.Forst.]] }} '''Kava''' is a plant of the pepper family. It comes from [[Polynesia]] and other lands in the [[Pacific Islands]]. The roots of the plant are used to make a drink with [[sedative]] and [[anesthetic]] properties. Kava is used in many [[culture]]s in the [[Pacific Ocean]], besides its native [[Polynesia]]. These include [[Hawaii]], [[Vanuatu]], [[Melanesia]] and some parts of [[Micronesia]]. Kava can relieve pain and make people calm. It is usually taken as a [[drug]] to relax without losing mental clarity in thinking and remembering. [[Evidence]] collected in studies show Kava is likely more effective than a [[placebo]] at helping calm some mild [[anxiety]].<ref>{{Cite journal|author=Pittler MH, Ernst E |title=Kava extract for treating anxiety |journal=Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (Online) |volume= |issue=1 |pages=CD003383 |year=2003 |pmid=12535473 |doi=10.1002/14651858.CD003383 |pmc=6999799 |url=|editor1-last=Pittler|editor1-first=Max H}}</ref> == References == {{Reflist}} ==Other websites== {{commons-inline}}<br/> {{wikispecies-inline}} {{taxonbar|from=Q161067}} {{authority control}} [[Category:Medicinal plants]] [[Category:Opioids]] [[Category:Piperales]] {{biology-stub}}