Traditional medicinal indications for kava kava use
include use as an intoxicant, a nervine, and neuromuscular
restorative (e.g., calming the nerves, inducing relaxation
and sleep, relieving headache, counteracting
fatigue or weakness, and restoring muscle strength in
asthma and rheumatism). It was used as a diaphoretic
in the treatment of chills and head colds, and for
asthma. Another important medicinal use was as a diuretic,
particularly for difficulty urinating and the treatment
of chronic cystitis, syphilis, and gonorrhea.