Khava Pepper

The sample of ‘Khava pepper’ found in the Historical Medicinal Collection of the Department of Pharmacology in Trinity College Dublin was obtained from ‘the friendly islands’, a name commonly used for the country of Tonga in the Pacific Ocean due to the congenial reception received by Captain James Cook in 1773.

Latin Name: Piper Methysticum
Common Names: Khava, Kava, Kava-Kava 

Piper Methysticum is indigenous to the South Pacific Islands; including Tonga, Samoa, Fiji, Vanuatu and Hawaii. In Polynesian culture, an extract from the root was used to reduce fatigue and eliminate anxiety. 

Active Ingredients: ‘Kavalactones’ that are responsible for their pharmacological properties. Kavain, dihydrokawain, methysticin, 5 dihydromethysticin and yangonin. 

The kava plant plays a central role in ‘Kava Culture’. The root is carefully prepared, traditionally by grinding and pounding and finally mixing the powder-like substance with water to make a drink that is communally shared. It is used in ceremonies such as weddings, funerals and chiefly gatherings. Its mild sedative and anxiolytic effect promote relaxation and social bonding. The ceremonies are generally structured with rituals such as the order of serving, chants and seating arrangements. With increasing popularity, ‘Kava Bars’ have started opening outside of the South Pacific, serving the plant in its liquid form. 

Kavain is the main anxiolytic component of the Kava plant, employing positive allosteric modulation of GABA α4β2δ receptors, depressing the central nervous system. Flumazenil, a benzodiazepine antagonist, did not block Kavain effect, indicating the compound works outside the benzodiazepine binding site. 

Side effects:

• Drowsiness and sedation

• Dizziness

• Headaches

• With chronic use - Kava Dermopathy; dry, scaly, yellowish skin.

• In severe cases, hepatotoxicity, leading to it being banned in many countries such as Ireland and the UK

Contradictions:

• Do not take if you have a present or previous liver disease

• Heavy Alcohol use

• Pregnancy

Interactions:

• Additive to sedatives such as Benzodiazepine and Barbiturates.

• Kava is an inhibitor of CYP450 liver enzymes which may interfere with drugs such as Warfarin, Theophylline and Phenytoin.

Sample #27 of 43