Kava or kava kava in Latin means ‘pepper’ and Latinized. In Greek means ‘intoxicating’). Is a crop of the Pacific Islands. The name kava kava is from Tongan and Marquesan, meaning ‘bitter’, other names for kava include ʻawa’ from (Hawaii), ʻava’ from (Samoa), yaqona from (Fiji), sakau from (Pohnpei), seka from (Kosrae), and malok or malogu from (Vanuatu). Kava is consumed for its sedating effects throughout the Pacific Ocean cultures of Polynesia, including Hawaii, Vanuatu, Melanesia, and some parts of Micronesia. To a lesser extent, it is consumed as an herbal medicine.