By Lee Carroll, Medical Herbalist
Today I want to pause and reflect on the International Day of Peace, through the lens of herbal medicine. When we think about peace, it’s easy to drift into ideals and concepts, but I’m drawn to the practical tools nature has given us for creating calm, both individually and collectively.
Fungi and herbs have long been allies in shifting the human nervous system toward balance. Psilocybin mushrooms, for example, when used in supportive settings, show remarkable potential in research for lifting mood, easing depression, and supporting psychological flexibility, such as navigating grief or reducing reactivity to triggers. Cannabis, when used judiciously, also has an important place, helping people slow down, soften their edges, gain perspective, and come back into their bodies. And the calming herbs we know so well, passionflower, skullcap, St John’s wort, valerian, magnolia, lemon balm, each carry their own unique therapeutic signature and wisdom.
Kava (Piper methysticum)
But the plant that stands out most for me, in the context of peace, is kava (Piper methysticum). Kava is native to the South Pacific, with Vanuatu producing the most highly prized chemotypes. Traditionally, kava is consumed ceremonially and recreationally, in community settings where it serves to bond people together and diffuse conflict. In contrast to alcohol, which may initially produce euphoria but often fuels aggression with ongoing consumption, kava does the opposite: it decreases tendencies toward aggression and fosters states of relaxation and connection.
The kavalactones
From a scientific perspective, kava’s active compounds, the kavalactones, are well studied. They bind to GABA receptors in the brain, enhancing inhibitory signals that reduce nervous system overactivity. They also influence dopamine and serotonin pathways, helping to stabilise mood, and provide mild muscle relaxant and anticonvulsant effects. Clinical research supports kava’s efficacy in generalised anxiety disorder, in both sleep onset and sleep maintenance insomnia, and in managing the mental restlessness that keeps people awake at night.
Clinically, I often prescribe kava at a dose of 100 to 150 mg kavalactones (about 2–3 standard tablets). It has an excellent safety profile, is non-addictive, and is well-tolerated. To put this into traditional perspective, in kava ceremonies the amounts can be much higher, sometimes upwards of 1,000 mg kavalactones in a single session. I’ll admit I’ve explored these higher doses myself, about 20 tablets (50 mg each). The experience for me was profoundly relaxing, almost dreamlike, with a mildly psychedelic quality. I remained awake, yet slipped in and out of vivid, guided dream states.
Kava also works beautifully in combination with other herbs. I often pair it with skullcap or St John’s wort for agitation, add ashwagandha to build resilience, or include licorice for adrenal support and to soften the taste. It also pairs beautifully with L-theanine, the calming amino acid found in green tea. These synergies create a rounded, balancing formula that calms the nervous system while strengthening it.
So why does this matter for peace? Because peace is not only a state of mind but also has a physical dimension. We live in a time of heightened emotions, reactivity, and agitation. When people are fuelled by stress and anger, conflict follows. But when the nervous system is settled, the mind and emotions can soften, aggression fades, and compassion becomes possible. If, instead of pouring another glass of alcohol, more people reached for kava, we might begin to see real shifts in how we relate to one another.
On this International Day of Peace, I’ll raise a shell of kava. I’ll take 300 mg of kavalactones tonight, three or four tablets now, another three or four later, and drift into deep, restorative sleep. For me, this is a simple but profound way to honour the spirit of peace: calming the inner storm so those ripples of peace can reach others.