PIPER METHYSTICUM

Synonyms

Kava; Kava-Kava; Kawa-Kawa; Methysticum

Definitions:

Piper Methysticum is the peeled, dried rhizome and root of Piper methysticum Forster (Fam. Piperaceae) a plant indigenous to, and cultivated in, the South Sea Islands from Hawaii to the East Indies.

Piper Methysticum contains about 5% of a resin composed of a number of closely related 5,6-dihydro-a-Pyrones, including yangonin, desmoethyl-oxy-yangonin, kawain, dihydro-kawain, methysticin and dihydromethysticin, together with two glycosides, mucilage and sugar.

B.P.C. (1934) p. 573.

Martindale 27th Edn., p. 1772.

Merck Index 9th Edn., 5158.

Description:

Macroscopical:

Irregular pieces of rhizome, transversely and longitudinally cut, 3-20 cm long, 1-10 cm in diameter. Light yellow-brown, longitudinally wrinkled with large, white, circular root scars. Fracture short and granular, inner surface yellow-white, bark thin, xylem distinctly radiate, pith large. Stem fragments narrower, up to 3 cm in diameter and hollow. Odour slight; taste sweet then pungent followed by a slight numbness.

Microscopical:

Light yellow-brown powder, large oval cells of the pith; starch grains numerous spheroidal up to 45 mm in diameter, 2-3 compound or single, hilum central and cleft. Secretion canals containing yellow to red-brown masses of resin ; elongated cells of the medullary rays porous and slightly lignified.

Vessels lignified, reticulate; fibres slightly lignified, large lumen and occasionally branched oval ends. Xylem parenchyma, cells lignified and slightly elongated. Calcium oxalate and cork absent.

Total Ash

Total Ash: Not more than 8%.

Identification Tests:

(a) A drop of sulphuric acid applied to the powder on a tile produces a cherry- red colour.

(b) Mount the powder in absolute alcohol and partially evaporate the solvent.

Prismatic crystals of methysticin appear at the edges of the cover slip. These crystals polarise red-violet to yellow and dissolve in sulphuric acid with the formation of a violet solution.

Chromatography:

Hansel, R. and Beiersdorff, H. A. (1955) Arzneimittel-forsch 9, 581-585.

Therapeutics:

Action: Anti-microbial. Diuretic. Spasmolytic. Sedative Carminative.

Action Topically: - Rubefacient.

Indications:Cystitis. Urethritis. Rheumatism. Joint pains - topical application.

Specific Indications:Infection of genito- urinary tract.

Combinations Used:Combines with Althaea Root, Apium and Agropyron in bladder disease; with Menyanthes, Cimicifuga and Apium in rhematism.

Preparation and Dosage: (thrice daily)

Dried Root: Dose 2-4 g or by decoction.

Liquid

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