A Vanuatu legend tells the story of a young man, following the untimely death of his sister, who observes strange plant growing from her grave. After seeing a rat gnaw the plant stock and die, the man, in his grief, decides to consume the plant himself hoping for the identical result. He is instead contented and forgets his sadness.

A Samoan myth relays the story of the god, Tagaloa, who brings a kava plant to earth on one of his journeys so as to make a kava drink. After the kava has been prepared by using only the roots a mortal man gathers what was left over and replants them. It is said that thereafter "man enjoyed the god-like drink."

There are countless fables from across the South Pacific from Papua New Guinea to Hawaii that tell origination stories of the sacred plant recognized scientifically as piper methysticum, or intoxicating pepper. Analysis shows that people in Vanuatu started using kava ceremonially, socially, and medicinally more than 3,000 years ago before slowly spreading its use throughout Oceania. With the introduction of alcohol and Christianity to a great number of of these island countries kava use ceased but in places like Vanuatu, Fiji, and Tonga, among others, kava drinking remains to be prevalent and is often consumed as an alternative to alcohol.

The explanation for kava's popularity lies in its active ingredients; a series of lactones exclusive to the kava plant known as kavalactones. These compounds generally deliver a mild euphoria, a mental calmness, as well as a physical relaxation. Kava consumers generally have a hard time comparing the sensation to other intoxicants given that kava use, even in large quantities does not cause a loss of mental cognition similar to that of alcohol, marijuana, or other narcotics.

The mentally soothing and muscularly relaxing effects of kava lend themselves nicely to the treatment of illnesses suffered by people the world over such as anxiety and general aches and pains. These same effects combined with the mild euphoria associated with the plant are likely to make kava a possible alternative to alcohol. In the last decade quite a few herbal remedy providers have westernized kava use by creating concentrated pills and tinctures for use in Europe and the U.S.

As popular and potentially healthy as the pills and tinctures are, some people believe that the use of kava in such forms isn't in keeping with the sacredness of the plant, root, and drink as it was initially taken. Historical preparation involves mixing ground kava root with water and squeezing the liquid from the fiber to produce a murky, earthy tasting concoction. Such drinking has traditionally been a social event where anything to be discussed was done so over a few coconut shells full of the drink.

In the U.S. kava bars have been sprouting up from Oregon to Florida spreading traditional kava use far from where the plant grows naturally. Jason Bohanan a regular at an Oregon kava bar says he enjoys kava for its relaxing properties and because it is a way to socially drink without the use of alcohol which brings about undesirable side effects.

While kava bars have gained popularity in the U.S. as of late, most potential consumers still aren't near enough to one to enjoy it. These kava drinkers have turned to the option to buy kava online for home preparation. An increasing number of online vendors arrive on the scene regularly, but as with every product or service that gains recognition there is the possibility that some vendors will market inferior kava. One owner of a leading online kava store, says that kava obtained anywhere should have been allowed to grow for a minimum of five years, be grown organically, dried, cleaned, and stored in appropriate conditions, and also have been harvested at the very maximum 6 months before it is sold.

Whether you enjoy kava at a local kava bar or purchase it online to enjoy with friends and family at home, kava's introduction to the U.S. markets makes many people glad that they are now able to enjoy this "god-like" drink far from the south pacific.