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KAVA, produced by the Australian Drug Foundation.

What is kava?

Kava (Piper methysticum) is a shrub belonging to the pepper family, Piperaceae. The root or stump of the shrub contains kavalactones, which have sedative and muscle-relaxant effects.

In some countries in the Pacific region, such as Fiji, Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea, kava drinking is an important cultural practice. In these cultures, kava drinking plays a role in strengthening social ties.

Many Pacific Islanders who have settled in Australia continue their cultural practice of drinking kava, and in recent decades other Australians have taken up kava drinking, or using products containing kava extracts.

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