kava

ka·va (käv)

n.

A dietary supplement derived from the roots of the shrub Piper methysticum, used as a sedative.

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kava (kä·v),

n Latin name:
Piper methysticum; parts used: rhizomes, roots; uses: anxiolytic, antiepileptic, antidepressant, muscle relaxant, analgesia, insomnia, alcohol dependency; precautions: children, pregnancy, lactation; patients with depression, pulmonary hypertension, Parkinson's disease; liver disease, or kidney disease; patients who drink alcohol. Also called
ava, ava pepper, awa, intoxicating pepper, kava-kava, kawa, kew, sakau, tonga, or
yagona.