KAVA-KAVA COMPOUNDS

Kava lactones (kava pyrones, 5-12%): chief components include (+)-kavain, dihydrokavain (marindinine), (+)-methysticin, dihydromethysticin, yangonine, desmethoxyyangonin

Chalcones: including flavokavin A and B

KAVA-KAVA EFFECTS

The kava pyrones in the drug have centrally muscle-relaxing, anticonvulsive and antispasmodic effects. The herb also contains hypnotic/sedative, analgesic and psychotropic properties contributing to its use for anxiety and insomnia.

The centrally muscle-relaxing, analgesic and anticonvulsive action of the kava pyrones, kavain, dihydrokavain, dihydromethysticin and (+/-) kavain (synthetic kava pyrone) is attributed to the interaction with ion channels. The interaction consists of fast and specific inhibition of voltagedependent sodium channels and reduction of currents through voltage-activated sodium and calcium channels (Friese, 1998; Gleitz, 1995; Gleitz, 1996; Schirrmacher, 1999). The paralysis effect of Kava on neuromuscular transmission and muscle contractility is similar to that of local anesthetics (Jameison, 1989; Singh, 1983). The lipid soluble extract (kava resin) decreases spontaneous motility and motor control (Jamieson, 1989). Read the rest of this entry »

KAVA-KAVA TRADE NAMES
Kava Kava (available from numerous manfacturers) Alcohol Free Kava Kava, Kava Kava Power, Kava Kava Premium, Kava Kava Root

KAVA-KAVA DESCRIPTION
Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts are the peeled, dried, cut rhizome, which has normally been freed from the roots, and the fresh rhizome with the roots.

Flower and Fruit: The plant has numerous small flowers in spike-like inflorescences 3 to 9 cm long.

Leaves, Stem and Root: The plant is a 2 to 3 m high, erect dioecious bush. The leaves are very large, measuring 13 to 28 cm by 10 to 22 cm. They have a deeply cordate base and 9 to 13 main ribs that are slightly soft on the undersurface. The stipules are large. The plant has a massive, 2 to 10 kg, branched and very juicy rhizome with many roots. They are blackish-gray on the outside and whitish on the inside. The fracture is mealy and somewhat splintery. The central portion is porous with irregularly twisted thin woody bundles, separated by broad medullary rays, forming meshes beneath the bark. Read the rest of this entry »