KAVA KAVA

Piper methyscum Overview

Introducon Origins Chemistry, Preparaon and Psychoacve Effects Uses Economics The Kava Experience Introducon

• Name: Kava (Piper methysicum) • Family: Piperaceae Introducon

• Geographic Distribuon: Pacific Islands, primarily in Vanuatu and Fiji Introducon • Characteriscs: – Alternate, heart shaped leaves and a spike of ny flowers; may reach height of 3 meters; perennial; roots develop into a starchy mass – Although Kava is dioecious, it is incapable of sexual reproducon; propagaon is vegetave and fully dependent on humans Origins and Domescaon

• Piper methyscum has puzzled botanists for more than a century – Fully domescated; most likely derived from the wild Piper wichmanii – Place of domescaon remains ambiguous, but many botanists argue that the domescaon process began in Northern Vanuatu, approximately 3000—4000 years ago Chemistry, Preparaon and Psychoacve Effects • Acve compounds: A series of lipid‐like substances called kavalactones are concentrated in the root and rootstock Chemistry, Preparaon and Psychoacve Effects • Preparaon: Mascate, pound or grind fresh rootstock – yields a greenish, milky poon – Tradionally mascated by virgin girls, but now generally pounded into a so pulp – Pulp is mixed with pure, cold water unl the water has a muddy, opaque and almost yellowish appearance – runk by the shell – Potency is the result of the variety of kava, the age of the plant and the diluon of the beverage during preparaon

Chemistry, Preparaon and Psychoacve Effects • Psychoacve Effects: A friendly drug – Causes sociability and happiness and promotes a state of tranquility—encourages peace and a sense of community – Unlike alcohol, it does not invoke violent or aggressive behavior or cause hangovers, nor does it diminish mental clarity and memory – Excessive consumpon: limbs become red, drinker looks parally inebriated; debate about the mental effects of overconsumpon Uses

• Although in Oceania kava is tradionally used as a mood enhancing drug, it also has also been used as medicine, and currently 100 tons of Kava are shipped to Europe for medical research Uses • Bladder disorders • Vaginal prolapsus • Arthris • Migraine • Urinary tract infecons • General weakness • Anxiety and sleep • Chills disorders • Irritaon of the • Gonorrheaproblems respiratory tract and • Helps provoke asthma Menstrual aborons • Tuberculosis • Leprosy Economics: Kava as a Cash Crop • Since 1980, when Vanuatu gained its independence from England and France, kava producon has significantly increased • Advantages: Important to local farmers; resistant to hurricane damage; 26% of kava plants ready for culvaon at any given me • Kava is a cash crop in Fiji and Tonga The Kava Experience