How to Extract Kava With Acetone

Kava, Kava Kava or Piper methysticum is a plant in the pepper family. It has been used in the countries of the Pacific Islands for centuries as a mild narcotic and muscle relaxant. The process of extracting the kava with acetone began in North America. Acetone evaporates easily and through a simple process the kavalactones (the active components of Kava) are extracted from the kava root. The extracted kavalactones can be either ingested or smoked.

Things You'll Need

• Kava Root or Kava Powder
• Acetone
• 2 Glass Jars with Lids
• Glass Pie Plate
• Stove

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Instructions

• 1

  Take an ounce of the Kava Kava and place it in a glass jar. Pour the acetone into the jar until the Kava Kava is covered. Cover the jar and let it stand for 20 minutes, shaking occasionally.

• 2

  Pour off the clear acetone from the top place in 2nd glass jar and repeat Step 1, then pour off the clear acetone again. You will be left with one jar full of acetone (this has the active kavalactones) and one jar with the remnants of the Kava.

• 3

  Take the jar of acetone and pour it into a glass pie plate. Over very low heat, warm the bottom of the pie plate on the stove until all the acetone is evaporated. Immediately remove from heat.

• 4

  Scrape the remaining thick syrupy substance from the pie plate. It should be a yellow - brown color. Leave the substance out at room temperature for three to five hours. This is to ensure all the acetone evaporates. When the substance does not smell like acetone anymore, and has a crystal like or powder like appearance, the process is complete.