Kava Kava, which is a famous Polynesian plant, has become more and more popular in Europe and America, since it can help with relaxation. In fact, it may be more famous than we think, as this plant goes by so many different names all over the world.
The most common of the names for Kava is Kava Kava, though youll often find it labeled in supplement or powder form as just kava powder or kava extract. But if youre doing research, you may want to take a look at the different names of this plant.
One of my favorite is its scientific name, Piper methysticum, which means (literally) introxicating pepper. Other somewhat less entertaining names for kava include Rauschpfeffer is a name used commonly in Europe, though the term (because of cancer research done in Europe) is often what youll run across if you look into the potential benefits of Kava for preventing or treating cancer (which is definitely worth looking into if you havent already).
In the islands, different locations have different names for it as well. In Hawaii is awa, in Samoa is ava, in Fiji its yaqona, and in Pohnpei its sakau. In other locations wordwide, it has gotten dozens more names, including gea, kew, kao, milik, meruk, maluk, malohu, and wurzelstock. Though there are many more even beyond this, these are the most prominent.
What does this say? Why is this important? Does it really matter? Well, certainly having so many different names for Kava doesnt change the impact of it. It doesnt change the fact that Kava has been proven to help with anxiety relief and insomnia, and it doesnt in any way alter the research for it as a cancer preventetive. But when youre doing your research and trying to get a full picture of this wonderful plant, youll want to consider looking at these different names.
Some studies, especially foreign studies, do not use kava kava their term, so researching (especially from a scientific standpoint) using all the names in your research can be useful. It is becoming more and more popular and prominent in the U.S., in Europe, and in many other locations worldwide, so from a research perspective, knowing all the different names is really going to allow you some global perspective.
I think it also says something more, too. The fact that the word has gotten into so many cultures in so many ways indicates to me that it is a significant plant. Rather than using borrowed words as languages so often do, many cultures have created their own term for kava, with their own connotation for the plant. Certainly the plant has made a significant impact on these cultures if they have decided to give the plant a title of their very own.
Whether its significant or not, its definitely interesting. A single plant thats gaining fame with a hundred different names is certainly worth looking at, and knowing the names if youre into nomenclature like I am can be fascinating in and of itself.
If you want to find out more about Kava Kava, or buy kava of your own, simply visit us at Taste of Kava.com
