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| Departments » Herbal Medicine » Materia Medica » Piper methysticum |
Note - the monographs are provided for informational purposes only, and are not to be used for self-medication.
Piper methysticum (Kava Kava)
| Botanic Name | Piper methysticum G. Forster. |
| Common Name | Kava Kava, Ava, Intoxicating Pepper, Ava Pepper 1 |
| Family | Piperaceae |
| Parts Used | The peeled dried and divided rhizome 1 |
| Habitat | South sea islands 2 |
| Constituents | Kava
pyrones (including kavalactones kawahin, yangonin, methysticin) 8
Mucilage 2 |
| Actions | Diuretic 2
Urinary antiseptic 2 Circulatory stimulant 2 Antispasmodic 2 Analgesic 2 Anaesthetic (topically) 2 Anaesthetic effect in the gastric mucosa & bladder mucosa 8 Mental stimulant in small doses depressant in large 2 Reubefacient (topically) 2 Antifungal (not with Candida spp.) 8 |
| Applications | Urinary
prostatic and vaginal infections 2
(Leucorrhoea, gonorrhea, vaginitis, enuresis) 10 Rheumatic conditions associated with urinary troubles, scanty urination, or water retention 2 Joint and muscle pain (topically) 2 Traditionally as a tonic in debility (esp when affecting sexual performance) 2 Anxiety, insomnia, and nervous tension 12 Conditions associated with skeletal muscle spasm (eg headache) 12 |
| Dosage |
|
| Combinations | Althaea
officinalis (radix), Apium, Agropyron in bladder
disease6
Menyanthes, Cimcifuga, Apium in Rheumatoid Arthritis6 |
| C/I Cautions | Don’t
drive or operate machinery when using 12
Not to be used during pregnancy 5 Not to be used while nursing 5 Do not exceed recommended dose 5 Commission E monograph states that it is contraindicated for "endogenous depression" 5 Simultaneous consumption with alcohol and barbituates may potentiate inebriation 5 Excessive or extended consumption is reported to cause a scaly, yellowing skin condition which resolves when use is discontinued 5 Usage is banned in NT and WA |
| BHP S/I | Infection of genito-urinary tract6 |
References
- Grieve, M., A Modern Herbal, Tiger, Great Britain, 1994.
- Mills, S., The Complete Guide to Modern Herbalism, Thorsons, Great Britain, 1994.
- Bradley, P.R.(Ed.), British Herbal Compendium Volume I, British Herbal Medicine Association, 1992.
- Hoffmann, D., The New Holistic Herbal, Element, Dorset, 1990.
- McGuffin, M., Hobbs, C., Upton, R., Goldberg, A., American Herbal Products Association - Botanical Safety Handbook, CRC Press, 1997.
- British Herbal Medical Association, British Herbal Pharmacopoeia 1983, British Herbal Medical Association, 1989.
- Motram, L., Herbal Materia Medica Course Notes, 1983.
- Willard, T., The Wild Rose Scientific Herbal, Wild Rose College of Natural Healing Ltd, Alberta, Canada, 1991.
- Priest, A.W. and Priest, L.R. Herbal Medication. A Clinical and Dispensary Handbook. London: L.N. Fowler & Co. Ltd.
- Brockhampton Press, Guide to Herbal Remedies, Brockhampton Press, London, 1996.
- Lust, J., The Herb Book, Bantam Books, USA, 1974.
- Singh Y. N., Blumenthal, M., Kava culture, then & now, Herbs for Health, Vol 2, No 6: 56-60, 1998.
- McCaleb, R., Herbal Help for Prostate Problems, Herbs for Health, Spring/Summer 1996, pp 26- 28.