From:    GardenStone                            Area: Magical Plants
To:      Kali                                    2 Apr 95 19:45:50
Subject: Kava Kava                              UpdReq 

Kali wrote in a message to All:
 K> Does anyone know about the effects of Kava Kava?
Here's a text from my filebase on Kava Kava:
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                 Kava Kava
An extract from the Australian Legal Highs FAQ.  The usual disclaimer applies: 
don't take it,........etc.
KAVA KAVA
Family:  Piperceae
Genus:   Piper
Species: methysticum
A shrub up to 4 meters tall with heart shaped leaves up to 16 cm long and
short spikes rising from the base of the leaf stem. The spikes are densely
covered with flowers. The plant grows in cool, moist highlands or wet
forests up to 300 meters above sea level. It grows best where summer
temperatures are between 26 - 32 Celsius. Its range is across the South
Pacific.
Usage: The upper rhyzome is used, traditionally in a tea (yaqona). For
maximum effects mix 1 ounce Kava with 10 ounces of water (preferably
coconut milk), two tablespoons coconut oil or olive oil, and 1 tablespoon
lecithin. Blend until the liquid takes on a milky appearance. Serves 1 - 2
people.
The resins can also be extracted with isopropyl alcohol in a heat bath.
The solvent is removed by evaporation. Redissolve in just enough
warmed brandy, rum, vodka, or honey. Also the resins can be extracted by
repeated soaking in cold acetone and boiling off the solvent.
The upper rhyzome is starchy with a faint pleasant odor and a pungent
bitter taste.
Effects: Small amounts produce euphoria, large amounts produce extreme
relaxation, lethargy and eventually sleep. Often visual and auditory
hallucinations lasting 2 - 3 hours. Effects are not noticed when used for
the first few times (like marijuana). It also produces numbing of the mouth.
Continual chewing eventually destroys the tooth enamel. Also constant and
excessive use with alcohol can become habit forming and after several
months cause yellowing of the skin, bloodshot and weak eyes, as well as
other side effects. The symptoms disappear within two weeks after the
drinking has stopped.
History: Kava is used by the Samoans as part of their religious ceremonies
and by the Fijians for guests as part of their ceremonies welcoming special
guests and friends. Five varieties are cultivated in Fiji, three white and
two black. The faster maturing black varieties are prefered for the
commercial crop while the slightly slower growing white varieties are
considered the best for personal use. The white varieties are Kasa Leka
(white), Kasa Balavu (black) and Qolobi. The faster growing black varieties
are Kasa Leka (black), and Kasa Balavu (black).
Active Constituents: Kava has six resinous alpha pyrones; kawain,
dihydrokawain, methystician, dihydromethystician, yangonin and
dihydroyangonin. None of these are water soluble except when emulsified.
They are soluble in alcohol, oil and gastric juices.
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Hope this helps.
Blessed Be,
   GardenStone
       gstone@boudicca.robin.de 


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