University:
Amherst College
Course:
BIOL 104 | Food, Fiber, and Pharmaceuticals
Academic year:

2020
Views:

202

Pages:

15
Author:

Frankie Mays

KAVA KAVA Piper methys,cum Overview Introduc2on Origins Chemistry, Prepara2on and Psychoac2ve Eﬀects Uses Economics The Kava Experience Introduc2on • Name: Kava (Piper methysicum) • Family: Piperaceae Introduc2on • Geographic Distribu2on: Paciﬁc Islands, primarily in Vanuatu and Fiji Introduc2on • Characteris*cs: – Alternate, heart shaped leaves and a spike of 2ny ﬂowers; may reach height of 3 meters; perennial; roots develop into a starchy mass – Although Kava is dioecious, it is incapable of sexual reproduc2on; propaga2on is vegeta2ve and fully dependent on humans Origins and Domes2ca2on • Piper methys,cum has puzzled botanists for more than a century – Fully domes2cated; most likely derived from the wild Piper wichmanii – Place of domes2ca2on remains ambiguous, but many botanists argue that the domes2ca2on process began in Northern Vanuatu, approximately 3000—4000 years ago Chemistry, Prepara2on and Psychoac2ve Eﬀects • Ac2ve compounds: A series of lipid‐like substances called kavalactones are concentrated in the root and rootstock Chemistry, Prepara2on and Psychoac2ve Eﬀects • Prepara2on: Mas2cate, pound or grind fresh rootstock – yields a greenish, milky po2on – Tradi2onally mas2cated by virgin girls, but now generally pounded into a soY pulp – Pulp is mixed with pure, cold water un2l the water has a muddy, opaque and almost yellowish appearance – runk by the shell – Potency is the result of the variety of kava, the age of the plant and the dilu2on of the beverage during prepara2on Chemistry, Prepara2on and Psychoac2ve Eﬀects • Psychoac2ve Eﬀects: A friendly drug – Causes sociability and happiness and promotes a state of tranquility—encourages peace and a sense of community – Unlike alcohol, it does not invoke violent or aggressive behavior or cause hangovers, nor does it diminish mental clarity and memory – Excessive consump2on: limbs become 2red, drinker looks par2ally inebriated; debate about the mental eﬀects of overconsump2on Uses • Although in Oceania kava is tradi2onally used as a mood enhancing drug, it also has also been used as medicine, and currently 100 tons of Kava are shipped to Europe for medical research Uses Bladder disorders Arthri2s Urinary tract infec2ons Anxiety and sleep disorders • Gonorrheaproblems • Helps provoke Menstrual abor2ons • Leprosy • • • • Vaginal prolapsus Migraine General weakness Chills Irrita2on of the respiratory tract and asthma • Tuberculosis • • • • • Economics: Kava as a Cash Crop • Since 1980, when Vanuatu gained its independence from England and France, kava produc2on has signiﬁcantly increased • Advantages: Important to local farmers; resistant to hurricane damage; 26% of kava plants ready for cul2va2on at any given 2me • Kava is a cash crop in Fiji and Tonga The Kava Experience

Kava Kava Piper methystricum

Related Documents

Description

Related Documents

Free up your schedule!

Take 5 seconds to unlock