Kava, also known as kava kava, is a plant that originated in the warm South Pacific islands of Hawaiʻi, Tonga, Micronesia, Fiji, Vanuatu, and the Samoas. Kava use in Polynesia and Micronesia takes place within a traditional or cultural context, leading to different patterns of use than are seen elsewhere.[1][2] In Polynesian and Micronesian cultures, kava is often consumed as a drink as part of group sessions. These kava sessions, which take place in a community setting and involve conversation, may last for several hours.[3][4] Although kava may be consumed differently in cultures where it is not a native plant, the reasons for consumption (e.g., anxiety, relaxation, socialization) are generally similar.[5]
Kava root has been traditionally used by the Indigenous people of Hawaiʻi. Hawaiian cultural uses for kava include a range of conditions, from easing stomach upset in children to gynecological aids, in addition to its better-known use as a relaxant.[6]