Kava

Kava, also known as kava kava, is a plant in the pepper family native to the Pacific Islands. It is known for making a special drink that people have used for ceremonies and social gatherings in places like Polynesia, Micronesia, and Melanesia for a very long time. This drink is made from the root of the kava plant, usually by grinding it and mixing it with water or coconut milk.

Traditionally, people in the South Pacific make kava by grinding fresh or dried root, mixing it with liquid, and sharing it from a communal bowl. Outside the South Pacific, kava is often made by soaking dried root powder in water. People enjoy this drink because it has effects similar to alcohol but usually does not cause major problems with thinking or lead to addiction. It can also make a numbing feeling in the mouth.

Scientists have studied kava and found that its effects come from certain compounds that work on parts of the brain. These effects can help reduce feelings of worry in the short term. However, in 2002, many countries put limits on kava because of safety worries. Later, the World Health Organization said that drinking traditional kava in moderate amounts is generally safe, but some processed forms might not be.

History and common names

See also: Domesticated plants and animals of Austronesia

Kava is a plant that was spread by people from the Austronesian Lapita culture across many islands in the Pacific. It grows naturally in Oceania but does not grow in New Zealand. People in these places have many different names for kava. For example, in Tonga, Niue, Rapa Nui, Tuamotuan, and Rarotongan it is called kava, while in Samoa, Tahitian, and Marquesan it is called ʻava. In Hawaii it is called ʻawa. These names all come from very old words that mean “bitter root”.

Characteristics

Kava is a plant that grows in the Pacific islands such as Hawaii, Federated States of Micronesia, Vanuatu, Fiji, the Samoas, and Tonga. It likely started growing in Vanuatu. People have been growing kava for many years, usually harvesting it when it is about four years old because older plants have more useful parts.

Kava plants can grow up to about 2 metres tall and have roots that go deep into the ground. There are many different types of kava plants, each with its own looks and effects. Some types are called "noble" and are used most often because they feel better and have fewer bad effects. Other types are used only for special occasions.

In places like Vanuatu, rules help make sure only the best types of kava are sold. In Hawaii, there are many different kinds of kava, some of which were very special to ancient leaders. Recently, people have started growing kava in South Florida where it can grow well despite different weather and soil.

Kava is different from another plant called kawakawa, which grows in New Zealand and looks similar but is not the same. Kawakawa is used in traditional medicine there.

Kava root has a lot of water and other parts like starch and sugars. The useful parts, called kavalactones, are most found in the roots and change depending on where and when the plant is grown. People usually wait until the plant is at least four years old to harvest it, and the best parts are in the smaller roots.

Pharmacology

Kava contains special compounds called kavalactones, with six main ones doing most of the work. These include kavain, dihydrokavain, methysticin, dihydromethysticin, yangonin, and desmethoxyyangonin. Kava also has some other compounds like chalcones and a toxic alkaloid called pipermethystine, which is not found in parts people drink.

These compounds affect the brain in several ways. They help the GABA_A receptor work better, which can calm the mind. They also stop the brain from taking back certain chemicals like norepinephrine and dopamine. Some also bind to special receptors in the brain and affect channels that control signals in cells. Scientists are still learning exactly how kava works in the body.

Preparations

Main articles: ʻava ceremony and Tongan Kava Ceremony-Taumafa Kava

The traditional kava drink is made by soaking the fresh or dried roots of the Piper methysticum plant in water. With fresh roots, the outer layer is peeled off, and the root is either chewed or ground into a fine pulp before being mixed with water. Dried roots are ground into a fine powder, placed in a cloth, and soaked in water. The drink is usually consumed right after it’s made, often from a shared bowl.

People prepare kava in different ways. They mix a small amount of the root—about one to one and a half grams—with water or coconut milk, then shake and strain it into a bowl. This makes a grey drink that tastes a little sharp. Fresh roots make a stronger drink than dried ones. In Vanuatu, fresh roots are common, but in other places, people usually use dried root powder mixed with water for about 30 minutes before straining. In Pohnpei in Micronesia, they sometimes mix the kava root with the bark of a Hibiscus plant before pressing it.

See also: Nakamal

Kava is used for many purposes across the Pacific, including medicine, religion, politics, culture, and social events. People in these areas hold the plant in high regard. For example, in Fiji, special kava ceremonies called yaqona often happen during important events, where the roots are given as gifts and the drink is shared. Because kava is important in religious rituals and is prepared in ways that might seem unusual to others, some Christian missionaries tried to stop its use in the past. The nakamal, a traditional meeting place in Vanuatu, is where people gather to share kava, talk, and exchange ideas.

Kava bars, which serve this special drink, can be found outside the South Pacific. These bars are social places where people can meet without alcohol. The number of kava bars in some American cities grew to about 180 between 2012 and 2017.

Effects of consumption

Kava can make people feel calm and relaxed. It may start by making someone talk more, then it relaxes the muscles, and finally can make someone feel sleepy. When you first drink kava, it might feel a little numb or dry in your mouth.

Even though kava changes how a person feels, it does not make them dependent on it.

Long-term effects

Drinking a lot of kava for a long time might cause some problems like mood changes, dry skin, or trouble with weight. It can also affect the liver, especially if mixed with alcohol or taken in strong forms like pills. Using water-based kava in smaller amounts is safer, but it’s still best not to mix it with alcohol, especially if someone has had liver problems before.

Toxicity, safety, and potential side effects

There isn't much information about how safe kava is, but using it in small amounts doesn’t seem to cause problems. However, drinking too much kava can be harmful.

Using kava for a long time might affect the liver, but scientists aren't sure. Some types of kava have been linked to liver problems. This has led some countries to warn people about using kava, especially if they already have liver issues or are taking other medicines.

Long-term and heavy use of kava can also cause skin problems, like dry and scaly skin on the hands and feet. This condition can be treated by stopping or reducing kava use.

Research

Studies have shown that kava might help reduce feelings of worry after using it for several weeks. It seems to work for some people in a way that is similar to certain medicines, though the results are not always the same. More research is needed to know for sure how well it works.

Right now, there isn't enough proof that kava can help with serious health problems like cancer or infections. It usually does not affect thinking or memory when used in the right amounts, but using too much might make it harder to see clearly. Scientists have found it hard to study because tests have used different ways of giving kava and different amounts.

Traditional medicine

For many years, people in the South Pacific Islands have used kava in their traditional medicine. It comes from a plant and has been an important part of their culture and health practices.

Regulation

In Australia, rules control how much kava can be brought into the country and sold. Travelers can carry up to 4 kg of kava if they are at least 18 years old. Special licenses are needed for bigger amounts used in medicine or science. These rules started in 2007 because of worries about misuse.

In Europe, different countries have different rules. Germany once stopped kava medicines but later changed its mind. The United Kingdom makes it illegal to sell kava for people to drink, but owning it for personal use is allowed. Poland used to ban kava completely but now allows people to have and use it, though selling it for drinking is still not allowed.

New Zealand treats traditional kava use as food, but only certain parts of the plant can be sold for this purpose. Canada allows kava sales again but requires government approval. Singapore bans kava because of health risks.

In the United States, kava is sold as a supplement, not a medicine. The FDA has warned that kava can harm the liver and advised people to talk to a doctor before using it.

Vanuatu has laws to make sure its kava exports are safe and of good quality.