There is an excellent research article by Lebot and Lèvesque, written in 1989 entitled, "The origin and distribution of kava: a phytochemical approach". It tells the story of kava's origins in Vanuatu and spread through the South Pacific through analysis of the chemical properties of kava[1]. It's a must read for anyone interested in kava or the Pacific Island societies.
This article is behind a paywall, but I was given permission to host the complete article by The National Tropical Botanical Garden in Hawaii with the aim of promoting more knowledge and appreciation of both kava and the Island societies in the Pacific.
This article can be found at this link on my web site, where I am starting a history of Fijian Kava. If you just want the pdf of the article, you can read or download the article here.
[1] Lebot, V., and J. Lèvesque. "THE ORIGIN AND DISTRIBUTION OF KAVA (PIPER METHYSTICUM FORST. F., PIPERACEAE): A PHYTOCHEMICAL APPROACH." Allertonia 5, no. 2 (1989): 223-81. http://www.jstor.org.sri.idm.oclc.org/stable/23187398.
This article is behind a paywall, but I was given permission to host the complete article by The National Tropical Botanical Garden in Hawaii with the aim of promoting more knowledge and appreciation of both kava and the Island societies in the Pacific.
This article can be found at this link on my web site, where I am starting a history of Fijian Kava. If you just want the pdf of the article, you can read or download the article here.
[1] Lebot, V., and J. Lèvesque. "THE ORIGIN AND DISTRIBUTION OF KAVA (PIPER METHYSTICUM FORST. F., PIPERACEAE): A PHYTOCHEMICAL APPROACH." Allertonia 5, no. 2 (1989): 223-81. http://www.jstor.org.sri.idm.oclc.org/stable/23187398.
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