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Kava or kava kava (Piper methysticum: Latin 'pepper' and Latinized Greek 'intoxicating') is a plant in the pepper family, native to the Pacific Islands. [1] The name kava is from Tongan and Marquesan, meaning 'bitter.’ [1] Other names for kava include ʻawa (), [2] ʻava (), yaqona or yagona (), [3] sakau (), [4] seka (), [5] and malok or malogu (parts of Vanuatu). [6]
Kava: kava-kava Piper methysticum: Sedatives, sleeping pills, antipsychotics, alcohol [15] Milkvetch: Astragalus: Astragalus may interact with medications that suppress the immune system, such as cyclophosphamide. [24] It may also affect blood sugar levels and blood pressure. Pineapple enzyme Ananas comosus: Bromelain
Kavalactones are a class of lactone compounds found in kava roots and Alpinia zerumbet (shell ginger). [1] and in several Gymnopilus, Phellinus and Inonotus fungi. [2] Some kavalactones are bioactive. They are responsible for the psychoactive, analgesic, euphoric and sedative effects of kava. [3] [4]
Kavain has anticonvulsive properties, attenuating vascular smooth muscle contraction through interactions with voltage-dependent Na + and Ca 2+ channels. [1] How this effect is mediated, and to what extent this mechanism is involved in the anxiolytic and analgesic effects of kavalactones on the central nervous system, is unknown.
In Tonga, kava may be drunk nightly at kalapu (Tongan for "club"), which is also called a faikava ("to do kava"). In contemporary culture only men drink the kava, although women who serve it may be present. Traditionally kava was drunk by women, and was especially associated with the ancient Tongan gods such as Hikule'o.
Research suggests that methysticin and the related compound dihydromethysticin have CYP1A1 inducing effects which may be responsible for their toxicity. [2] Additionally, methysticin has been shown to potentiate GABA A receptor activity, contributing to the overall anxiolytic profile of the kava plant.
[citation needed] In addition, coca use in shamanic rituals is well documented wherever local native populations have cultivated the plant. For example, the Tairona people of Colombia's Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta use to chew the plant before engaging in extended meditation and prayer. [55] Cocoa: Theobroma cacao: Bean: Theobromine, small ...
Kava is able to increase dopamine levels in the nucleus accumbens [2] and desmethoxyyangonin likely contributes to this effect. This, along with several other catecholamines, may be responsible for the purported attention-promoting effects of kava.