searchspell:kavacorrected for kava kava
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.
PharmacologyPharmacologically, 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. However, some kava herbal supplements may contain pipermethystine from aerial stem peelings which may contribute to rare but severe hepatotoxic reactions to kava. PreparationKava root drying in Lovoni village, Ovalau, FijiKava is traditionally consumed as a herbal 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. An even easier method is to whisk up root powder and cold water in a blender. In the west, it is often taken in pill form. It is also one of the ingredients in Yogi Tea, although in such small amounts that its effects will be minimal. Kava can also be combined with coffee to produce kavajava, the effects of which are said to combine the most pleasant qualities of each. Medicinal kavaIn the Western world, kava is used as an herbal remedy to ease the symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression. On 15 February 2006, the Fiji Times and Fiji Live both reported that researchers at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland, and the Laboratoire de Biologie Moleculaire du Cancer in Luxembourg had discovered kava was effective in the treatment of ovarian cancer and leukaemia. Kava compounds inhibited the activation of a nuclear factor that led to the growth of cancer cells. Aberdeen University had published its findings in the journal, The South Pacific Journal of Natural Science, that kava methanol extracts had been shown to kill leukaemia and ovarian cancer cells in test tubes. The kava compounds were shown to work selectively, passing healthy cells by and targeting only cancerous cells. Fiji Kava Council Chairman Ratu Josateki Nawalowalo welcomed the findings, saying that they would boost the kava industry. For his part, Agriculture Minister Ilaitia Tuisese called on the researchers to help persuade members of European Union to lift their ban on kava imports. EffectsThe 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. Some indigenous communities in Australia have banned alcohol from their land, replacing it by the safer kava. SafetyRecently, concerns have been raised about the safety of kava[1]. There have been several reports of severe liver toxicity, including liver failure in some people who have used dietary supplements containing kava extract. While a conclusive link to kava has not been established, the severity of liver damage have prompted action of many regulatory agencies. Regulatory drug agencies in Germany, France, and Switzerland have outlawed kava completely. The United States CDC has released a report[2] expressing reservations about the use of kava and its possibly adverse side effects (specifically severe liver toxicity), as has the FDA[3]. Some counter that the cases resulting in the liver toxicity included concomitant use of alcohol or other drugs[4]. 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 fuelled by economic interests of kava-exporting nations of the Pacific Islands 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. One study at the University of Hawaii at Manoa found that an alkaloid called pipermethystine may be responsible for the liver toxicity cases, based on its effects on liver cells in vitro[5]. This alkaloid is found primarily in stem peelings and leaves of the plant, but is not present in the roots; users of kava in the South Pacific have traditionally discarded the peelings and leaves, using only the roots for the consumed product. However industrial production of kava extracts encouraged the use of these peelings and leaves because of their higher concentrations of the psychoactive kavalactones. Industrial use of peelings and leaves was aided by the fact that traditional producers considered them a waste product and sold them inexpensively as compared to the roots. Since traditional users avoided consumption of these parts of the plant, this may explain the extensive use of kava in the Pacific with no ill effects, whereas the novel use in Europe and America witnessed cases of liver toxicity due to improper use of the plant. Heavy use of kava is associated with kava dermopathy, a scaly eruption of the skin which is reversible by discontinuing its use. It is considered to be a harmless curiosity. Ancient Hawaiians would drink copious amounts of kava to encourage this in order to bring about a smoother layer of new skin. With normal use kava dermopathy is non-existent. Secondary substances and other effectsKava 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. There are several cultivars of kava, with varying concentrations of both primary and secondary psychoactive substances. Kava culture and mythologyMain article: Kava culture A sign showing a "Kava licence area" at Yirrkala, in the Northern Territory of AustraliaKava is used for a variety of purposes, medicinal, religious, political, cultural and social throughout the Pacific. These cultures have a great respect for the plant and place a high importance on it. The Tongans have a story about the origin of kava. On the island of Eue'iki, near Tongatapu, a family learned the King of Tonga would be arriving shortly. It was a time of famine though and they had no appropriate food to prepare. Their daughter, named Kava, who had leprosy was subsequently cooked and given to the king in order to eat. The king, learning of this was deeply moved and told the family to bury the girl. After she had been buried for some time two plants sprung from her head and feet. At her head the kava plant grew, from her feet the sugar cane. This myth symbolizes the importance of Kava within the Tongan culture in terms of peace-making, sacrifice, diplomacy and loyalty. External links
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