Organisms

Kava

Dried rhizome and roots of Piper methysticum, a shrub native to Oceania and known for its anti-anxiety and sedative properties. Heavy usage results in some adverse effects. It contains ALKALOIDS; LACTONES; kawain, methysticin, mucilage, STARCH, and yangonin. Kava is also the name of the pungent beverage prepared from the plant's roots.

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

Dried rhizome and roots of Piper methysticum, a shrub native to Oceania and known for its anti-anxiety and sedative properties. Heavy usage results in some adverse effects. It contains ALKALOIDS; LACTONES; kawain, methysticin, mucilage, STARCH, and yangonin. Kava is also the name of the pungent beverage prepared from the plant's roots.

MeSH Record

Classification

Broader headings

Related Concepts

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MeSH Record

Synonyms

14 entry terms
  • Kava Kava
  • Kawa
  • Kawa Kawa
  • Piper methysticum
  • Kava Kavas
  • Kava, Kava
  • Kavas
  • Kavas, Kava
  • Kawa Kawas
  • Kawa, Kawa
  • Kawas
  • Kawas, Kawa
  • Piper methysticums
  • methysticums, Piper

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

20 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings adverse effects, anatomy & histology, chemistry, classification, cytology, drug effects, embryology, enzymology, genetics, growth & development, immunology, metabolism, microbiology, parasitology, physiology, poisoning, radiation effects, toxicity, ultrastructure, virology.

MeSH Record

History Note

2000

MeSH Record

Previous Indexing

  • Plant Extracts (1967-1999)
  • Plants, Medicinal (1967-1999)

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Number

  1. B01w.875w.800w.575w.912w.250w.812w.666w.249

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Kava. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D020901. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D020901
  2. Kava. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q96097703