A rising epidemic in the Pacific.

KAVA & HEALTH

Popularity of KavaKava use is spreading throughout the Pacific Now grown in countries where Kava was never an issue in the past; including Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea, for both local consumption and export.

Kava machine in the Solomon Islands. Kava was introduced recently into the Solomon Islands

KAVA & HEALTH• Kava plant (Piper methysticum)

• Native to the western Pacific islands

• Popular among the pacific cultures in Melanesia, Polynesia, and even parts of Australia.

• Belongs to the pepper family Piperaceae.

Piper nigrum Piper methysticum

Pepper plant Kava plant

KAVA & HEALTHKnown as Yaqona in Fiji.

Kavalactones – active elements found in the roots.

Rich in potassium, nitrogen, phosphorus and magnesium.

KAVA & HEALTH

Absorption of the active chemicals is through the Absorption of the active chemicals is through the stomach and pass quickly to the brain. stomach and pass quickly to the brain.

Acts as Acts as sedative and induces sleepsedative and induces sleep. .

Also induces muscle relaxation (Alexander et al 1987:6)

Can have a psychoactive effect.

Kava and the brain

Psychoactive drug - easily enters the brain and affect its function, causing changes in perception, mood, consciousness, cognition (learning) and behaviour (MENTAL HEALTH)

Kava and the brainKava affects the limbic system of the brain (the emotional centre)

Kava and the Body

• Taken in excess, the limbs become tired, muscles fail to respond, the drinker looks sleepy and tired and finally sleeps for a long period, waking grudgingly (PHYSICAL HEALTH)

Kavalactones reduce brain cell activity

Kava slows down brain activity. This can affect the way people think

Effects of Kava

• Heavy Kava drinkers usually suffer from apathy (lack of enthusiasm) that prevents them from eating adequately.

• They sometimes have eye problems and dry scaly skin lesions.

Kava and Addiction

• Kava has addictive properties.

• Kava may cause dependency.

Kava and the heart and lung

• Affects the rhythm of the heart • It initially stimulates breathing

and then slows it down.

Kava and liver damageAmong the side effects of kava, liver damage has been promoted as being the most common.

The liver damaging side effects of kava are mostly experienced by those who ingest kava in tablet form

Eye complications of Kava• Eye irritation and sensitivity to light

-reversible in nature, and quickly corrected upon ceasing consuming kava.

• The side effects of kava on the skin and the eyes are experienced by users of kava regardless of the form in which they ingested it.

KAVA & ALLERGY

• Kava may cause allergic reactions in certain individuals

Other possible side effects

Because kava affects muscle movement, it is unsafe to operate machinery or drive

Kava, the family & poverty

Late nights of kava drinking

Families often left alone at home

Loss of drive to work and earn. Most families often struggle to make ends meet.

Communities have been particularly concerned about the social effects of drinking kava. ---

a. neglecting family and community duties.

b. spent large amounts of money to buy kava, no money for food and other essential items.

c. health and nutritional status of infants and children are affected. (SOCIAL HEALTH)

Kava and the Community

Lessons from the Australian Aborigines

Some well meaning missionaries introduced powdered Kava to the Aborigines in the Northern Territory of Australia. They suggested it would be a peaceable alternative to liquor and the violence it caused.

For a time this brought calm to alcohol ravaged communities, but as the natives moved to heavy Kava use they suffered: general ill health, skin rash, shortness of breath, malnutrition, liver damage and biochemical changes in red and white blood cells.

Adverse

effects of Kava