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Kava is the root of the piper methysticum plant,
a member of the pepper family. Although the natives
of Pacific Islands have used kava in a social context for
thousands of years, this fascinating plant has recently gained
popularity in western countries as a herbal remedy.
Origins and history of kava
When Admiral James Cook sailed to Hawaii in 1771, he was accompanied
by a botanical expert called J.G.A. Forster, who recorded
the extraordinary use of kava by the natives, who used it
in a ritual and social context. In fact, inhabitants of the
Pacific Islands, such as Tahiti, Fiji, Micronesia and Samoa
had been using kava as an intoxicating beverage for thousands
of years - and continue to do so today.
The Poynesians had not discovered how to ferment alcohol
before the coming of the Europeans. Instead, they found that
kava was a naturally occurring substance which reduced tension
and sent the user to a higher plane of consciousness. The
Europeans tried to curb the use of this mild narcotic, but
their attempts were futile. Kava was more than a recreational
drug - it had a number of ceremonial functions which the natives
were unwilling to dispense with. Kava was taken before embarking
on a journey; served to guests at weddings, funerals and social
occasions; used to maintain a state of calm during important
meetings; administered to soothe agitated tempers during a
dispute; and was often offered to visitors as a sign of goodwill.
Kava drinking continues to be a symbol of cultural revival
amongst indigenous communities.
Kava is also known to have a number of medicinal properties,
which the Polynesians were the first to exploit. Nowadays,
the powdered form is increasingly used in western cultures
as a diuretic, sedative, cure for insomnia, treatment for
coughs and to alleviate the symptoms of PMS (Pre-Menstrual
Stress) and the menopause.
Serving suggestion
The traditional way of administering kava may turn the stomach
of the squeamish. The roots are cleaned, chewed up and spat
out into a bowl full of coconut milk and water. The concoction
is then strained and the juice of the root repeatedly squeezed
out until it runs clear. The guest of honour is usually invited
to drink first and they should gulp the drink down in one
mouthful.
If you don't fancy a trip to Fiji, you can still benefit
from the medicinal properties of kava by visiting your local
health food store. It might not be as much fun, but at least
you don't need to prepare it using someone else's saliva! |
