Maorikava

Since Piper methysticum does not grow in New

Zealand, the Maoris looked for a substitute when

they settled the islands. They found it in the form

of an indigenous pepper species, which they used

like Piper methysticum to produce a kavalike drink.

The plant contains an essential oil with the active

substances myristicin and elemicine (Bock 1994,

98*).