“In 1779 Captain King, R. N., who followed Captain Cook to the Islands, describes the case of a priest as follows ‘a little old man of an emaciated figure, his eyes exceedingly sore and red, and his body covered with a white leprous scurf, the effects of an immoderate use of ava.’ He also says, ‘The chiefs suffer dreadful effects from the immoderate use of ava. Those who are most affected by it had their bodies covered with a white scurf, their eyes red and inflamed, their limbs emaciated, their whole frame trembling and accompanied with a disability to raise the head.’”[2]
[2] “Leprosy Prize Essays,” 2nd series by Thompson and Cantile, 1897.
F. A. Griel, makes the following statement in a foot note. “The mixture is a subnarcotic, and if drunk by European sailors produces highly nauseous effects. If frequently taken a dry burning heat is produced all over the body, the eyes become red, skin peels off in flakes and then degenerates into leprous ulcers or the whole body becomes emaciated and wastes away.”[3]
[3] Miquel, Systema Piperacearum.
Numerous attempts have been made to isolate the active chemical constituent or constituents. As early as 1844 Morson discovered an active principal Kawine. This is a greenish-yellow, strongly aromatic and acrid resin. This was again studied by Cuzant in 1860.
Gobley isolated from kava root a crystalline principle (analogous to piperin), methysticin, or kavahin, which is without odor and taste and is probably inert.[4] In 1886 Lewin separated the resin into two resins, of which the Beta resin is greasy and of a reddish-brown color, appearing in mass almost black. This is less active than the alpha resin which is yellowish brown, has the characteristic odor of the drug, is freely soluble in alcohol, and placed upon the tongue produces a burning sensation followed by local anaesthesia.[5]
[4] J. P. C. Jan. 1860.
[5] A. J. P. 1886, 450.
A volatile oil has been found in the root.[6]
[6] J. P. C. March 1862.