Forward: this blog is a simplification of chapter 3 from Hawaiian ‘Awa
Views of an Ethnobotanical Treasure along with added context. Our goal is to make content easier to understand. For those looking for a deeper understanding, we suggest reading the original.
Kavalactones vs Kava
Kavalactones are the active kava ingredients responsible for the psychoactive effects of Kava (Piper methysticum). Researchers have found around eighteen kavalactones. However, only six are usually measured because they comprise over 90% of the active compounds in kava.
Kavalactones vary in concentration depending on the plant part, variety, and geographic location. Kavalactone concentration helps identify the plant part and region (where the plant is from). To make this easier, Lebot and Lévesque created a chemotype numbering system in 1989. This system uses a six-digit code to show the relative concentration of each kavalactone.
Kavalactone Chemotypes
- Desmethoxyyangonin (DMY) - May promote dopamine release, enhancing mood.
- Dihydrokavain (DHK) - Enhances sedative properties, contributing to relaxation.
- Yangonin - Has a mild psychoactive effect, promoting relaxation.
- Kavain - Known for its euphoric and relaxing effects (most desirable).
- Dihydromethysticin (DHM) - Possesses anxiolytic properties, helping to reduce anxiety.
- Methysticin - Also has anxiolytic properties, contributing to a calming effect.
Farmers have cultivated kava for centuries and have carefully monitored its effects and toxicity. Noble kava are plants with specific chemotype profiles. They offer desirable kavalactone effects and are safe to drink every day. Polynesian royalty preferred Noble kava and used it for ceremonies and social gatherings.
The typical Noble kava chemotype profile starts with a 4 or 2, indicating a higher concentration of kavain or DHK. These chemotypes are associated with the more desirable benefits of kava, like relaxation and mild euphoria. A common chemotype profile for Noble kava is 426351 or 246531.
Many people consider chemotype 4 the most desirable kavalactone.
Example: Hawaiian 'Awa
Hawaiian 'awa (kava) usually has a code starting with 46, followed by four other numbers. This means that kavain is the most common kavalactone, followed by methysticin. This combination gives the 'awa a pleasant psychoactive effect. It also suggests that only a few kava plants were originally brought to Hawaii, and the different types we see today came from this small group.
Many connoisseurs consider Hawaiian 'awa the best because of its high concentration of Kavain (4).
Example: South Pacific Kava
In the South Pacific, there are many Kava varieties with different kavalactone concentrations. For example, in Vanuatu, there are at least 80 types of kava. The six-digit code might start with 26 or 25, meaning that dihydrokavain and methysticin, or dihydrokavain and dihydromethysticin are the most common.
However, the island of Pentecost in Vanuatu has a famous kava variety called Borogu, known for its great psychoactive effects. Its six-digit code is 245613, with dihydrokavain and kavain as the main kavalactones.
Example: Isa Kava
People do not recommend a type of kava called Isa (a.k.a. Tudei). Kava with codes starting with 25 or 52 are not good for drinking because they can cause nausea. These effects can last up to 24 hours.
Chemotype Differences in Kava Plants
Chemotype refers to the different kavalactone concentrations in different parts of the same kava plant. The concentrations can vary between the underground and above-ground parts of the plant. Understanding which part of the plant you're using to make your kava tea is important. You should only use the plant's corm and lateral roots for drinking.
Researchers compared a Hawaiian cultivar (Mō‘ī) and a Papua New Guinea cultivar (‘Isa’).
They grew both plants under the same conditions and then divided them into lateral roots (waka), corm or stump (lewena), lower stem, middle stem, upper stem, and leaves.
They measured the kavalactone concentrations in each part and presented it as a six-digit sequence.
Plant Part Isa Mō‘ī
Leaf 254316 254136
Upper Stem 523416 523416
Middle Stem 254316 254361
Lower Stem 254361 425631
Corm/Stump 254631 426531
Lateral Roots 245631 462531
Differences in kavalactone content are most noticeable in the lateral roots and corm. Further up the plant, the differences diminish.
Lateral roots contain more kavalactones than the corm. The corm is considered more pleasant to drink. A typical chief's Kava root blend is 2/3 corm and 1/3 lateral roots.
Kava Potency
Please note, kava roots (lateral roots and corm) contain the active ingredients that produce the most desirable kava effects. You should only use kava roots to make kava tea.
- Weaker Varieties: Typically contain 3-4% kavalactones.
- Average Varieties: Usually have around 6-10% kavalactones.
- Stronger Varieties: Often contain 12-15% kavalactones or more.
These percentages can vary based on factors such as plant age, growing conditions, and specific cultivar. To reach average and strong kava potency, the plants are typically 3-10 years old. The older the plant, the more potent.
Kavalactone Dosage
You can consume Nobel drinking kava daily. With average variety potency, a kavalactone dose of 5-6 shells (5 oz) will have you feeling exceptional. With stronger varieties, 3-4 shells may be enough.
It's important to note that kava has a reverse tolerance. The more often you drink kava, the less you typically need to get the same effect.
Kava Kava Benefits: Physiological Effects of Kavalactones
Studies from the 1960s showed that kavalactones can make you feel calm. Kavain, methysticin, and yangonin are the strongest ones. Unlike true sedatives, kavalactones don’t induce sleep or reduce motor activity but act as muscle relaxants and enhance deep sleep.
Kavalactones affect the limbic system in the brain, which is involved with emotions.
Kavain increases sensitivity in the hippocampus, an area linked with emotions. However, Kava and all its kavalactones are more effective than Kavain alone. This is because of the combined effect of all kavalactones.
Kava Side Effects: Tumor Suppressing Activity in ‘Awa
Recent research by Zi and Simoneau (2005) found that a chemical in ‘awa called flavokawain A can suppress tumors in bladder cancer cells. This chemical selectively kills these cancer cells.
An earlier study by Steiner (2000) looked at cancer rates in Pacific island nations. The study found that countries where people drink kava have cancer rates that are one-fourth to one-third lower than countries where people don't drink kava.
In Vanuatu, Fiji, and Western Samoa, men have lower cancer rates than women, which is interesting because men are more likely to drink kava in these countries.