Piper methysticum, Kava-kava.

Botanical name: 
Please read the introduction to Boericke's tinctures.

The intoxication produced by Kava is of a silent and drowsy character with incoherent dreams, loss of muscular power. Urinary and skin symptoms have been verified. Marked modality. Arthritis deformans. Colic with flatulence.
Mind.--Very sensitive. Exaltation of mind. Amelioration of pains for a time by diverting attention. Restless desire to change position.
Urine.--Increased. Burning during micturition, gonorrhoea, and gleet. Cystitis. Chordee.
Skin.--Scaly. Fall of scales leaves white spots, which often ulcerate. Leprosy. Ichthyosis.
Extremities.--Pain in right arm. Hands feel paralyzed. Pain in thumbjoint.
Relationship.--Compare: Chaulmoogra-Taraktogenos-(The oil and its derivatives are to a certain extent effective in the treatment of leprosy, especially in early cases). Bixa orellana, a South American plant related to Chaulmoogra, recommended for leprosy, eczema and elephantiasis.
Modalities.--Better, by turning mind to another topic; changing position.
Dose.--Tincture, and lower potencies.


Boericke's Materia Medica, 1901, was written by William Boericke. Excerpt: The Tinctures.