The Pacific islanders give the name Kava to both Piper Methysticum (a shrub from the pepper family Piperaceae) and also to the drink made from it. Piper methysticum can be found growing in abundance principally in western Polynesia, especially in Samoa and Tonga, and virtually all of Melanesia, including Fiji. It can also be found on Pohnpei Island, in Micronesia. People have traditionally prepared kava as a cold tea (an infusion made from straining a mixture of shredded and pounded fresh or dried root and water). A simple method of preparing kava tea involves putting two or more heaped teaspoons of kava root for each person into a clean knotted stocking and then squeezing it into a bowl of cold water. The tea ordinarily produces a slight numbing of the lips and tongue initially, followed by somewhat talkative and euphoric behavior, a sense of calm, clear thinking, relaxation and well-being. Sleep associated with kava is particularly restful and there are no after effects the next day. Kava can be purchased at health food stores as an extract and as a convenient method of relieving anxiety as it is fast acting and very potent. Kava can also be bought in pill form. Some vendors have packaged high-powered Kava mixtures in convenient mini spray bottles. These are handy to keep in a purse or knapsack and are highly effective for providing a quick burst of relaxation. A quick spray or two under the tongue can do wonders for tension and jitters. If you plan on purchasing the raw root, it is sensible to buy whole, top grade lateral root. A few concerns have been expressed recently about the kava's safety following a small number of deaths from liver failure. As a result Switzerland and France have banned Kava, while Germany has made it available only on prescription. In the United States the Center for Disease Control (CDC) has expressed reservations over the use of kava. Controversy abounds, fuelled by the economic interest of the kava exporting nations and disagreements between the medical profession and supporters of natural medicine. At the moment the 'jury is out' and only time will uncover the truth. It should be noted however that the Tongans have used kava for hundreds of years and that it holds a place of great importance within Tongan society. One side-effect associated with the heavy use of kava is kava dermopathy - a scaly eruption of the skin. This is quite harmless and disappears once you stop using kave. In the past, Hawaiians used to drink large quantities of kava to produce just this effect as a method of cleansing the skin and giving themselves a smoother, clearer complexion. | 
