Kava and kratom are often mentioned in the same breath. Both are plant products, both are served at "kava bars" across the US, and both are sold as capsules, powders and drinks. But they are different plants, from different families and different parts of the world, with different compounds and different legal histories.
This guide compares them on facts you can check. It does not make claims about what either one does for you, and it is not medical advice.
Kava vs kratom at a glance
| Kava | Kratom | |
|---|---|---|
| Plant | Piper methysticum | Mitragyna speciosa |
| Plant family | Pepper family | Coffee family |
| Native to | South Pacific islands | Southeast Asia |
| Part used | Root | Leaf |
| Best-known compounds | Kavalactones | Mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine |
| Traditional form | Drink made from the root | Fresh leaves, or tea made from the leaves |
| US status | Sold as a dietary supplement | Not federally scheduled; banned in some states |
| FDA position | Supplements are not FDA-approved before sale; FDA has warned about liver injury | No FDA-approved uses; FDA warns consumers not to use it |
Where they come from
Kava is native to the South Pacific and is a member of the pepper family, according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH). Pacific Islanders have prepared drinks from the root for thousands of years, for ceremonial and social occasions.
Kratom comes from Mitragyna speciosa, a tree native to Southeast Asia, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). It belongs to the coffee family. In its home region, the leaves have traditionally been chewed fresh or brewed into tea.
So the first difference is simple: kava is a root from the Pacific, kratom is a leaf from Southeast Asia.
What is in them
Kava's best-known compounds are kavalactones, a group of compounds found in the root.
Kratom's best-studied compounds are mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH). NIDA notes that both act on mu-opioid receptors in the body, although their effects only partly resemble those of opioid drugs. This is one reason kratom is regulated more closely than kava in many places.
Legal status in the US
Kava is sold in the US as a dietary supplement. Dietary supplements are not approved by the FDA before they are sold.
Kratom is not on the federal list of controlled substances, but the Drug Enforcement Administration lists it as a "drug of concern", and the FDA states there are no approved uses for it. Several states, counties and cities ban kratom outright. For example, Panacea Natural, the vendor we compare on this site, does not ship to Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Louisiana, Vermont, Wisconsin, Sarasota County (FL), Union County (NC), Denver (CO) or San Diego (CA).
Laws change, so always check the rules where you live before buying either product.
Safety warnings from health agencies
Both plants carry official warnings, and they are different.
- Kava: NCCIH reports that various kava products have been linked to rare cases of liver injury, some of them serious. The FDA issued a consumer advisory about kava and liver injury in 2002.
- Kratom: NIDA notes that kratom products may contain contaminants such as heavy metals and harmful bacteria, that combining kratom with other drugs may cause severe effects, and that some regular users report withdrawal symptoms when they stop.
Contamination is the reason we put lab reports first when comparing kratom products. A third-party certificate of analysis that matches your lot number is the best way to know what is in the bag.
Can you take kava and kratom together?
We found no clinical research on combining kava and kratom. NIDA warns that combining kratom with other substances may cause severe effects. If you are considering either product, and especially if you take any medication or drink alcohol, talk to a doctor first.
Kava bars and kratom
Many US "kava bars" serve both drinks, which is a big reason people confuse them. If you order at a kava bar, ask which plant is in your cup. Kava drinks are usually made from ground root mixed with water; kratom drinks are usually a tea made from leaf powder.
Buying either one online
If you shop online, the same rules apply to both:
- Check the lab report. Look for a third-party certificate of analysis that matches the lot number on your package.
- Read the label. Follow the serving information on the package; don't convert between formats yourself.
- Check your local law before ordering, especially for kratom.
Panacea Natural sells both: kratom in capsules, powder, shots and gummies, and a kava extract capsule (out of stock at the time of writing). We compare every kratom product on price, reviews and lab reports in our kratom capsules, kratom powder and kratom shots guides.
Frequently asked questions
Is kava the same as kratom? No. Kava is the root of Piper methysticum, a pepper-family plant from the South Pacific. Kratom is the leaf of Mitragyna speciosa, a coffee-family tree from Southeast Asia.
Is kava legal in the US? Yes. Kava is sold in the US as a dietary supplement.
Is kratom legal in the US? Kratom is not federally controlled, but some states, counties and cities ban it. Check your local law.
Are kava and kratom approved by the FDA? Neither has FDA-approved uses. Dietary supplements, including kava, are not approved before sale, and the FDA states there are no approved uses for kratom.
Sources: NCCIH: Kava · NIDA: Kratom · Panacea Natural product and shipping pages (checked October 2026).