Piper methysticum

Used by 1 tradition1 compound

Common Names

maori: Kavakava

fijian: Yaqona

samoan: 'Ava

tongan: Kava

english: Kava, Kava Kava

hawaiian: 'Awa

latin_pharmaceutical: Piperis Methystici Rhizoma

Geographic Range: Pacific Islands — Vanuatu (likely center of domestication), Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, Hawaii, Papua New Guinea. Cultivated vegetatively (does not produce seeds).

Known Contraindications

• Liver disease (rare hepatotoxicity — primarily with non-traditional preparations)
• Concurrent alcohol or sedatives
• Concurrent hepatotoxic medications
• Not during pregnancy
• Not for children
• Respect ceremonial protocols

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Compounds

Traditions

Treatments

Conditions

CAS: 500-64-1

SMILES: COC1=CC(=O)OC(C=Cc2ccccc2)C1

CYP Interaction Profile

Enzyme	Interaction
CYP1A2	moderate inhibitor
CYP2B6	weak inhibitor
CYP2C9	potent inhibitor (kavain primary metabolism)
CYP2D6	moderate inhibitor
CYP3A4	moderate inhibitor
CYP2C19	moderate inhibitor
clinical_note	BROAD CYP inhibition profile — kavain and dihydrokavain inhibit multiple CYP isoforms. Significant drug interaction potential. Potentiates CNS depressants. AVOID with alcohol, benzodiazepines, hepatotoxic drugs. Traditional aqueous extraction produces lower kavalactone concentrations than modern organic solvent extracts.