Kava is an ancient crop of the western Pacific. Other names for kava include `awa
(Hawaii), 'ava (Samoa), yaqona (Fiji), and sakau (Pohnpei). Its scientific name is
Piper methysticum. Kava is related to the black pepper--both have heart-shaped
leaves and flowers similar to the flower spike of the anthurium. Kava also has a
peppery taste. Since time immemorial kava has been a part of religious, political,
and cultural life throughout the Pacific.
In the Western world, kava is used as an herbal
remedy to ease the symptoms of stress, anxiety, and
depression.
Pharmacologically, kava is not addictive and is considered safe. Its active
principal ingredients are the kavalactones, of which there are six major ones used
to identify the chemotype of a particular variety.
Preparation
Kava is traditionally consumed as a 'tea'; that is, an infusion made from straining
a mixture of water and shredded, pounded, dried, or fresh root and/or stump. The
plant may also be chewed as part of preparing kava; this will affect the final
product due to the enzymes in saliva. The extract is an emulsion, consisting of
suspended kavalactone droplets in a starchy suspension. The taste is slightly
pungent, while the distinctive aroma varies if prepared from dry or fresh material
and by variety. The color is grey to tan to greenish opaque.
Perhaps the simplest method of making the tea is to put two or more heaped
tablespoons of kava root powder per person into a clean sock or stocking, tie a knot
in it, and squeeze it repeatedly in a bowl of cold water.
In the west, it is often taken in pill form.
Effects
The effects of drinking kava, in order of sensation, are slight tongue and lip
numbing; mildly talkative and euphoric behavior; calming, sense of well-being, clear
thinking; and relaxed muscles. Sleep is restful and there are no after-effects the
next day.
Other interesting uses of kava include: dispensation to military personnel (Fiji) to
aid in vigilance and anxiety reduction; to provide concentration, focus, and muscle
control before sports and music performances; to reduce the anxiety associated with
public speaking and other public performances; use in corporate board rooms to aid
in mental clarity, sociability and improved decision making.
Safety
Recently, concerns have been raised about kava's safety. France and Switzerland's
regulatory drug agencies have outlawed kava completely, while Germany has made it
available only by prescription. The United States' CDC has released a report
(available on the Internet) expressing reservations about the use of kava and its
possibly adverse side effects (specifically severe hepatic toxicity). Some counter
that the cases resulting in the hepatic liver toxicity included concomitant use of
alcohol or other drugs. Another claim is that kava extracts used by patients
experiencing liver toxicity were made with solvents other than the traditional water
and that the whole plant was used rather than just the roots. The issue is
controversial and debate is fueled by economic interests of kava-exporting nations
of the Pacific Ocean as well as disagreements between the medical establishment and
proponents of herbal and natural medicine. There is ongoing research into the causes
of kava liver toxicity and why it apparently does not affect traditional kava users
but no conclusive results are available at this time (Nov 2004).
Heavy use of kava is associated with kava dermopathy, a scaly eruption of the skin
which is reversible by discontinuing its use.
Secondary Subtances and Hallucinogenic Effects
It should be noted that Kava contains several other purportedly psychoactive
substances which are not appreciably soluble in alcohol or water, but are soluble in
fats. Extractions of these into various vegetable oils with lecithin added are
possible. Even though kava is usually an acquired taste, the taste of the resulting
mixture is reportedly horrendous. The potential for use of kava as an hallucinogen
therefore seems low.
It should also be noted that there are several varieties of kava plant, with varying
concentrations of both primary and secondary psychoactive substances.
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