herbal smoke

herbal smoke (Piper methysticum) is an ancient crop of the western Pacific. Other names for kava include ?awa (Hawaii), 'ava (Samoa), yaqona (Fiji), and sakau (Pohnpei). The word kava is used to refer both to the plant and the beverage produced from it.
Preparation and consumption:
herbal smoke is prepared and consumed in a variety of ways throughout the Pacific Ocean cultures of Polynesia, Vanuatu, Melanesia and some parts of Micronesia. Traditionally kava has been prepared by either chewing, grinding or pounding. Chewing the kava consists of masticating it in the mouth, depositing it back into a bowl, mixing with water and then straining it through the cloth-like fiber of a coconut tree. Another method is grinding in which the herbal smoke is ground by hand against a cone-shaped block of dead coral; the hand forming a makeshift mortar and the coral cone, a pestle. The moist ground herbal smoke root is combined with only a small amount of water as the fresh root releases a good deal of moisture during grinding. The last method is by pounding the kava in a large stone with a small log. herbal smoke prepared in any of these ways is significantly more potent than unprocessed kava. herbal smoke product resulting from these methods is then added to cold water and consumed as quickly as possible.

The extract is an emulsion, consisting of suspended kavalactone droplets in a starchy suspension. The taste is slightly pungent, while the distinctive aroma varies depending on whether it's been prepared from dry or fresh material, and by variety. The color is grey to tan to opaque greenish.

Various sources incorrectly state that preparation technique of mastication potentiates the psychoactive effects of herbal smoke because of the action of saliva enzymes on the plant. Although chewing herbal smoke does produce a more powerful effect than any other form of preparation, this is not the result of any chemical process; rather, this is due to the much finer particles produced in this method.

The strength of prepared herbal smoke also depends on its species, freshness, and techniques of cultivation. Fresh, undried kava produces a stronger beverage than old, dried kava.
Effects:
The onset of a moderate potency herbal smoke drink is 20-30 minutes, with effects usually lasting for two hours. Effects can be felt up to eight hours after ingestion.

These effects of drinking herbal smoke , in order of sensation, are slight tongue and lip numbing caused by the contraction of the blood vessels in these areas (the lips and skin surrounding may appear unusually pale); mildly talkative and euphoric behavior; anxiolytic (calming) effects, sense of well-being, clear thinking; and relaxed muscles. Sleep is often restful and there are pronounced periods of sleepiness correlating to the amount and potency of Kava consumed. When drunk to excess, herbal smoke can cause vomiting and a feeling of nausea that will subside usually by the end of the day after consumption. In Vanuatu, drinking strong kava is normally followed by a hot meal or tea. Meals consumed along with kava traditionally follow some time after the beverage so that the psychoactives are absorbed into the bloodstream more quickly.

A drink of high potency results in a faster onset with a lack of stimulation, somnolence, and then deep, dreamless sleep within 30 minutes. Unlike alcohol-induced sleep, after wakening the drinker does not experience any mental or physical after effects.

Heavy consumption of herbal smoke can produce dermatological effects ranging from light, red bumps; to heavy, scaly, ulcerous skin. herbal smoke contains lactones that bind to skin proteins forming antigens which then lead to the allergic response. Discontinuation or reduction of consumption resolves the effects.

It is reported that many people experience rather vivid dreams after consumption of herbal smoke .

herbal smoke can also be combined with coffee to produce kavajava, the effects of which are said to combine the most pleasant qualities of each.
Kava culture:
herbal smoke is used for a variety of purposes, medicinal, religious, political[citation needed], cultural and social throughout the Pacific. These cultures have a great respect for the plant and place a high importance on it. herbal smoke is used primariarly in social gatherings to increase amiability and to relax after a day's work. It additionally has great religious significance, being used to obtain inspiration. In some Westernized Pacific-peoples, the drink has been demonized and seen as a vice; it is not uncommon for youth of such populations to reject their traditional cultural ties with the plant. However, it has gained a cult following among the youth culture of caucasian people living on Pacific islands.
Kava botany & agronomy:
There are several cultivars of kava, with varying concentrations of both primary and secondary psychoactive substances. The Republic of Vanuatu is recognised as the "home" of herbal smoke because it hosts the largest number of cultivars. The herbal smoke plant has historically been grown only in the Pacific islands of Hawaii, Federated States of Micronesia, Vanuatu, Fiji, the Samoas and Tonga. In modern times (i.e., since WW2) there has been some kava grown in the Solomon Islands, but most kava used in that country is imported. Kava is a cash crop in Vanuatu and Fiji.

The herbal smoke plant, a shrub, thrives in well-drained soils and it grows well as an understory crop (i.e., too much sunlight, especially in early growth, is deleterious). It grows naturally where rainfall is plentiful (over 2,000mm/yr). Ideal growing conditions range from 20-35 celsius degrees, and 70-100% relative humidity. The soil it is kept in should be loose to ensure plenty of air reaching the root.

herbal smoke is unable to sexually reproduce. Female flowers are especially rare and do not produce fruit even when hand-pollinated. Its propagation is entirely due to human efforts by the method of striking.

Traditionally, plants were not harvested until they were around 4 years of age, as older plants have higher concentrations of kavalactones. However, over the past two decades farmers have been harvesting younger and younger plants--even as young as eighteen months. Older plants are not much taller (around 2m.) than younger plants; growth adds diameter to the culm and more stalks than height. A grown plant's roots can reach up to 60 centimeters in depth.
Medicinal kava:
In the Western world, kava is commonly marketed as a herbal remedy to ease the symptoms of stress and anxiety.

On 15 February 2006, the Fiji Times and Fiji Live both reported that researchers at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland, and the Laboratoire de Biologie Moleculaire du Cancer in Luxembourg had discovered kava may be effective in the treatment of ovarian cancer and leukemia. herbal smoke compounds inhibited the activation of a nuclear factor that led to the growth of cancer cells. Aberdeen University had published its findings in the journal, The South Pacific Journal of Natural Science, that kava methanol extracts had been shown to kill leukaemia and ovarian cancer cells in test tubes. The herbal smoke compounds were shown to work selectively, passing healthy cells by and targeting only cancerous cells.

Fiji herbal smoke Council Chairman Ratu Josateki Nawalowalo welcomed the findings, saying that they would boost the herbal smoke industry. For his part, Agriculture Minister Ilaitia Tuisese called on the researchers to help persuade members of European Union to lift their ban on kava imports

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