Kava
Piper methysticum
Pacific noble-varietal root and peeled stump. Kavalactone-standardised — supplied as bulk powder and CO₂ oleoresin paste — with chemotype documentation. Tudei varieties excluded.
METHOD
ONLY
US STD
LIFE
Botanical reference
Piper methysticum.
- Family
- Piperaceae
- Plant part
- Root · peeled stump
- Origin
- Vanuatu · Fiji
Overview
Kava (Piper methysticum G. Forst.) is a Pacific-island shrub cultivated for its kavalactone-rich rootstock. Motark sources Kava exclusively from noble cultivars in Vanuatu and Fiji, through long-term grower networks and partner farms. Tudei varieties are excluded across the supply chain.
Extraction is performed in GMP-aligned facilities through water, hydroalcoholic, and supercritical CO₂ processes, with kavalactone content and chemotype profile characterised by HPLC against reference standards. The standardisation tier is set to the formulation brief.
Traditional use
Kava root has a continuous documented history of ceremonial and social use across Polynesia, Melanesia, and Micronesia, where it is prepared as a cold-water suspension of the macerated rootstock. Pacific-island authorities and ISO 17025 chemotype standards distinguish noble cultivars — the only material accepted into the Motark supply chain — from tudei varieties.
Motark's compound monograph documents the traditional context as cultural background only. No therapeutic claims are made and no dosage guidance is provided through this site — these are matters for licensed practitioners and the regulatory frameworks of the markets in which finished products are sold.
Modern research
The principal characterised constituents of Piper methysticum are the kavalactones — a class of six major arylethylene-α-pyrones (kavain, methysticin, yangonin, demethoxyyangonin, dihydrokavain, and dihydromethysticin) — together with minor flavokavins. The relative proportions of these six lactones define the chemotype.
Published peer-reviewed work spans phytochemistry, chemotype characterisation, analytical method development, and pharmacokinetics. Citations available on request from the team.
Specifications
Release spec.
Standard commercial specification below. Higher-spec tiers and custom standardisations available against the formulation brief.
- Botanical name
- Piper methysticum G. Forst.
- Family
- Piperaceae
- Plant part
- Root and peeled stump (noble varietal)
- Extraction solvent
- Water / hydroalcoholic / supercritical CO₂
- Standardisation marker
- Total kavalactones (HPLC, chemotype-specific)
- Specification
- Standardised on total kavalactones; tier set to formulation brief; chemotype documented
- Appearance
- Light brown powder; oleoresin paste for supercritical CO₂ extracts
- Particle size
- 80 mesh typical (US standard); alternative grinds on request
- Loss on drying
- Typical ≤ 6%
- Heavy metals
- ICP-MS — compliant with USP, EP, and JP limits
- Microbial
- Compliant with USP, EP, and JP microbial limits for botanical extracts
- Pesticide residues
- Compliant with USP <565>, EU MRLs
Markers and supply
Active markers and packaging.
Active markers
Total kavalactones
Standardised; tier to formulation brief
Method: HPLC, chemotype-specific
Kavain · methysticin · yangonin
Individual profile
Method: HPLC
Flavokavins
Characterised
Method: HPLC
Packaging
- Bulk powder
- Fibre drums (food-grade liner, vacuum-sealed)
- Oleoresin paste (CO₂)
- HDPE drums (food-grade, nitrogen-flushed)
- Custom packaging
- Available on request for OEM partners
Storage
Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Keep container tightly closed and protected from moisture.
Shelf life: Up to 24 months from date of manufacture when stored sealed under specified conditions
KavainStructure & references
Kavain.
Kavain shown as a representative of the kavalactones class — the release marker is the class total, not a single molecule.
The release marker for Kava is Kavalactones, quantified by hplc, chemotype-specific against a reference standard at a specification of HPLC-standardised.
PubChem record
CID 5281565Structural data, IUPAC name, SMILES, and physicochemical properties mirrored from the canonical record at the US National Library of Medicine.
Regulatory status
Status by market.
Status by market for buyer reference. Counterparties are responsible for compliance in the destination market.
Applications
Common uses.
- Capsule and tablet supplements for relaxation, sleep, and stress (where permitted)
- Traditional kava beverage preparations — root powder, instant drink mixes
- Tincture and liquid extract formulations
- Custom-spec extract supply for OEM and contract manufacturers (varietal-verified noble Kava)
- Reference material for chemotype characterisation
For procurement and formulation
Sample or quote.
Request a representative sample, or pricing for your annual volume.
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