Isolation and constitution of the narcotic substance from kawa‐kawa, (Piper Methysticum)

AbstractThe method of isolation, properties and structure of the narcotic substance from kawa‐kawa (P. methysticum), are described. This substance occurs in a concentration of 1% in the dried plant material (old stems and roots) and is the actual active substance in this material. The active substance, marindinin, is easily obtained in a crystalline condition by a combination of an appropriate method of extraction with adsorption analysis. The ultimate purification is much more troublesome. Finally, marindinin appeared to be identical with the dihydrokawain of Borsche, who did not recognise this substance as the active principle, however, which he was able to isolate only with difficulty and in very small yield from the kawa resin. Attention is drawn to the fact that marindinin must be brought into the form of a fine emulsion before it can exert its narcotic qualities.