American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy

A cigarette is prepared of cubebs, which is smoked to relieve hoarseness.
It serves a good purpose in this form in sub-acute or chronic bronchitis or
in any case of general relaxation with debility of the mucous structures
of these parts.
KAVA-KAVA. Piper methysticum.
Synonyms—Yakona, Ava Ava, Ava Kava, Kawa, Macropiper Methysticum.
CONSTITUENTS—
An active resin, or two resins of similar character, and a yellow,
volatile oil. The resinous principle is permanent and probably contains
the active principle of the plant.
PREPARATIONS—
Extractum Kava-Kava Fluidum. Fluid extract of Kava-Kava. Not
miscible with water. Dose, from ten to sixty minims.
Solid extract of Kava-Kava, one part equals ten of the root. Dose,
from two to six grains.
Specific Medicine Kava-Kava. Dose, from five to twenty minims.
Physiological Action—Dr. David Cerna made extensive experiments
upon the action of the drug, which were published in The Therapeutic
Gazette in January, 1891. His conclusions were as follows:
Kava-kava produces general anesthesia, and is an active local anesthetic,
in that it diminishes, and finally destroys, the function of the afferent
nerves, by affecting, their peripheral ends.
Kava-kava diminishes, and eventually abolishes, reflex action, by
influencing the spinal cord, and probably also the sensory nerves. The
paralysis produced by Kava-kava is of spinal origin, and is due to direct
action upon the cord.
Kava-kava, while increasing the force of the heart, diminishes the
number of pulsations, by stimulating the cardio-inhibitory centers and
ganglia, chiefly the former,
The drug lowers arterial pressure through an action upon the vagi. It
afterwards elevates it, however, especially after previous division of the
pneumogastrics, by a direct action on the heart.
Ellingwood’s American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy - Page 346