Spiritual Use of Kava in Fiji

According to local beliefs, drinking kava can enhance a person's life force or mana and provide insights into the nature of things. Curers and seers use kava to connect with the spirit world, and prayers spoken over kava are believed to be more effective. In some areas like Namataku of western Viti Levu, offerings of kava are required for prayers directed to the spirits (nitu) to be effective. Overall, kava is seen as a powerful substance that plays an important role in Fijian spirituality and traditional medicine.

Kava can also be used to contact the spiritual realm for evil intentions. In Fiji, sorcery of this type is called sova yaqona meaning "to pour yaqona." The evil rituals are performed by two individuals as one prepares the yaqona and the other says the curse while they pour it out on the ground.

Despite its ceremonial usefor hundreds of years, kava is now being used todayas a type of alternative medicine. Kava is said to have many effects on its consumers,suchas improved moods,contentment, and a feeling of relaxation. Studies have shownthat kava can help to treat anxiety, insomnia, and other related nervous disordersas well as premenstrual syndrome(PMS). It has been found to be effective in treating anxiety in many different clinical studies. Somestudies on kava even showthat it canbe as effective as someprescription antianxiety medications such as Valium.

As a modern alternative medicine, kava comes in many different forms, from dried extracts, to tablets and capsules, orliquid drops. Another way it is used as a medicine is bymaking tea by simmering the kava rootsin water and then consuming it. This comparesin contrastto the traditional Oceanic method ofconsuming kava which is detailed on the next page.

However, many peopleare being warned against taking kava as an alternative medicine becauseit has been linked to liver damage that can sometimes even be fatal. Due to a lack of studies onthe substance, it is unsure how much kava you cantake safely but peopleare advised to not take kava for more than three months and to avoid drinking alcohol while using it. There are also a couple ofside effects that people should keep an eye out forwhen consuming kava. Theseside effects include fatigue, abdominal pain, loss ofappetite, nausea, joint pain, and rashes onthe skin.