The kava plant, sometimes called kava-kava, has a long history of use by limited segments of humanity. Believed to be popular in the South Pacific for hundreds of years, the kava plant was unknown to Europeans until the eighteenth century. Today it remains controversial, but medical science is confirming its beneficial uses.
Classification
The cultivated form of the kava plant is known in the scientific community as Piper methysticum. It is a flowering plant of the pepper family (Piper is from the Latin for "pepper.") The species name "methysticum" is from the Greek for "intoxicating," underscoring the perennial interest in this plant. The several cultivars of the plant have varying levels of psychoactive properties. Perhaps as a result of long cultivation, the plant is unable to reproduce sexually, and is propogated by human intervention.
Distribution
Native to Hawaii and many islands of the Pacific, including Fiji, Tahiti, Micronesia and Papua New Guinea, kava has long been cultivated for use in intoxicating beverages. According to the Vault of Erowid, many botanists believe the plant originated on the northern end of Vanuatu archipelago, where over 72 varieties were identified in the 1980s. The wild form of the plant, Piper wichmannii, may be a common ancestor to all cultivated forms of the plant, but is not generally used or valued today. The plant is not native to North America.
Development
As with other plants, there is considerable variation amongst the cultivars of kava. Typically, cultivated kava take five to seven years to mature and, when harvested, reaches heights of 6 to 8 feet. The roots, which are the only part of the plant used in traditional kava beverage preparations, develop into a large gnarled mass. The color of leaves, thickness of stalks and presence of spots varies by cultivar.
Uses
In cultures where kava is consumed as a traditional beverage, the roots of the plant are ground or smashed while fresh and mixed with cold water. Some individuals simply chew on the root, which releases the highest quantity of kavalactones, the psychoactive ingredient in kava. The effects are said to be sedating without disrupting mental clarity. There is also an anti-nausea effect. Dry or powdered kava, which is used in most modern preparations, produces a much weaker mixture.
Potential
A study cited by the U.S. National Library of Medicine suggests that kava may be as effective an anti-anxiety medication in humans as valium and other benzodiazepines. In 2002, however, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning that kava could produce severe liver injury and should not be consumed by people with liver problems. Anyone using a kava supplement should consult a physician, particularly if experiencing any sign of illness associated with liver disease. In 2006, a study published in The South Pacific Journal of Natural Science suggests promising potential for constituents of the kava plant in the fight against cancer.
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