Fijian kava is not only limited to medicinal uses. It is also a drink.

Fijian kava is not just limited to one use, but it is used for diverse purposes. Trust the Fijians to make maximum use of a plant for which they discovered the uses before the wider world did. Fijian kava is made into a drink that is drunk in ceremonies. It is a treasured drink that is not drunk without occasion and therefore this shows how much the Fijians treasures this plant.

Fijian kava is made into a drink that is called yagona which is drunk in a half coconut shell and when in Fiji, it is easy for you to spot groups of men seated together passing the drink around, perhaps swapping the stories of the day. It is a drink that brings people together and that means that there is no enmity between a man and his drinking buddies.

The roots of the Fijian kava are used to make this drink. Initially, long ago, the roots were chewed to a pulpy mass by Fijian lasses and then water and the other ingredients were added. Today, that part of the yagona preparation is gone and, anyway, it is definitely not very enjoyable to chew the roots of a pepper tree. Mortar and pestle are the tools that are used today to pulp this root . The mass of crushed pulpy root is then strained through a piece of clean cloth to release all the juice.

Many people might wonder how kava is taken as an ingredient. Kava is taken as a whole root or as powder. Its lactones are destroyed by heat so do not serve kava with hot water. After you crush the root, filter the liquid into a container with a piece of cloth and then serve it with cold water. If done correctly, kava will help reduce your stress and unlike other tranquilizers, it does not dull your mind.

Studies have proved that it improves alertness and because of its relaxing qualities, kava can induce people with insomnia to sleep as it relaxes the mind and the body, beating all the fatigue. In Fiji, it is used even by people who want to quit smoking because of its calming effect on the nerves.

Kava beats anxiety, nervousness and restlessness, not forgetting epilepsy, by calming the mind.