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Kava (Piper methysticum) is an ancient crop of the western Pacific. Other names for kava include `awa (Hawaii), 'ava (Samoa), yaqona (Fiji), and sakau (Pohnpei). 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. Kava has long been a part of religious, political, and cultural life throughout the Pacific.
Pharmacology
Pharmacologically, kava is not addictive. Its active principal ingredients are the kavalactones, of which there are six major ones used to identify the chemotype of a particular variety. While kava has been considered to be relatively safe, some kava herbal supplements may contain pipermethystine from aerial stem peelings which may contribute to rare but severe hepatotoxic reactions to kava (see section on safety).
Preparation
More on [ Kava ]
Kava kava :: Herbs
Piper :: Piperaceae
Kava - Information from the Encyclopedia of Psychoactive Substances. Botanical profile and traditional uses of the shrub Piper methysticum and the psychoactive beverages made from it.
Meta Description: [ Kava induces relaxation, improves social interaction and promotes sleep ]
KavaRoot - Information about kava, including folklore, ceremony, geography, health studies, science, history, news, and preparation.
Meta Description: [ Kavaroot.com is a source of information about kava, including folklore, geography, ceremony, health studies, history and news. ]
Piper methysticum - Summaries of and links to articles about the use of kava kava.
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