Is kava banned in UK?

Could you please clarify for me, is kava prohibited or outlawed in the United Kingdom? I've heard conflicting information about its legality and I'm trying to understand the current status. Is there a specific reason why it might be banned? Are there any legal loopholes or exemptions that I should be aware of? If kava is indeed banned, are there any similar alternatives that are legal and available in the UK? I'm interested in its potential benefits and would like to explore options that are compliant with UK laws. Thank you for your assistance in clarifying this matter.