New to Kava Kava
nsmith4366 [:D]Hi, I'm very new to Kava Kava. It has recently alleviated all my depression, anxiety and muscular tension. I usually drink a cup or two with my meals and take 2 pills mid pm or around dinner for relaxation. I think this amount is okay and won't harm me in any way. I had some concern about liver damage, but from reading this informative board, have learned that as long as I take only the root or stump/no leaves - stems or peelings, I should not have to worry about that. I buy from www.eclecticherb.com and the 90 acre farm where this is manufactured is very proud that they sell only 100% Kava root - and I believe them. Everyone on this board sounds so expert in all of this - and I'm so new. I do want to continue to learn all about Kava and keep using it on a regular basis, however, everything I read contains warnings about liver damage and that this is not to be used long-term (longer than 4 weeks) for example. I have no previous liver damage and am not on any other medications. Is there a place for "newbies" - really inexperienced people here to ask questions and learn? I appreciate your tolerance of me - I have so little experience but have found GREAT results with Kava. Recently, in the USA, a major health store GNC is now refusing to shelve/sell Kava Kava...it is not banned in the USA (yet). Is there a movement to ban it in the USA/other countries? Thanks. Nancy
yee E Nancy aloha mai, Welcome Nancy Based on scientific evidence we have so far it appears it's a sorry loss for those served by regulators who have an apparent misunderstanding and bias against kava. I am confident that the truth will prevail, and that kava - at least in its form used by Pacific island cultures (a tea infusion) - will be vindicated. It seems work done by our UH scientists may hold some answers, yet to be sure it is just a start. Questions of to what extent? for example remain. In Hawai'i I believe any government talk of banning it would be an outrage. I don't think it an exaggeration to say there would be repercussions against those who propose laws banning this aspect of Hawaiian culture. In fact, lately there is a movement within countries, like Germany, to overturn their ban, as indicated in one circular letter posted here. http://jonathanyee.com/nativeplantsforum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=7 Please don't be intimidated by any notion of "experts." Newbies are very much welcome. They help clarify what needs to be clarified. And this forum is largely educational. Perhaps also using the Search function at the top of the forum pages may be of assistance. It's good to hear you are benefitting from kava. I think it would be interesting also to learn more about Pacific islanders' care and respect they have for this plant. V. Lebot's book, "kava, the Pacific elixir," is an excellent reference. And I think we can look forward to extensive Hawaiian references forth coming from a graduate student friend, Kawika, and others. Nice thoughts tonight to contemplate while I drink my 'awa a little later this evening. [:)] Mahalo, Jonathan
nsmith4366 Thanks for welcoming me. I'll check back here often and try to learn. May buy that book on Kava. I understand there is Tea and pills and other ways of taking Kava, but have no real grasp of this. In USA I can get pills or tea and try to get quality - only root or stump. What is the social history of Kava? I guess Kava was all the rage at one time (where?)...I mean did people have Kava parties or ? It seems either people are "Kava snobs" no offense/just meaning the know the topic so well and have favorite kinds and give the best advice/recipes etc..or people are Kava clutzes like ME - who is just skipping along and seemed to stumble on a few forms of this new product (new to me) and am struggling to reach the "seasoned user" status. :)
nsmith4366
quote:
Originally posted by nsmith4366
Thanks for welcoming me. I'll check back here often and try to learn. May buy that book on Kava. I understand there is Tea and pills and other ways of taking Kava, but have no real grasp of this. In USA I can get pills or tea and try to get quality - only root or stump. What is the social history of Kava? I guess Kava was all the rage at one time (where?)...I mean did people have Kava parties or ? It seems either people are "Kava snobs" no offense/just meaning the know the topic so well and have favorite kinds and give the best advice/recipes etc..or people are Kava clutzes like ME - who is just skipping along and seemed to stumble on a few forms of this new product (new to me) and am struggling to reach the "seasoned user" status. :) Is there anything wrong with opening the capsules and just putting itin recipes or foods? Why is there sometimes a delay before I feel it? What is the strongest Kava, where can I get it? Why do so many people use these nylon bags and kind of imply that is the only and best way to have it? Where do you learn step by step how to do that?
Figaro Hello Nancy, I, too, am an anxiety sufferer that discovered kava. Kava is not an anti-depressant, but if you found significant relief from depressive symptoms you may suffer from anxiety-driven depression. May I suggest that you subscribe to a UseNet newsgroup called alt.support.anxiety-panic, known familiarly as ASAP? Most of the people there are on conventional SSRI/benzodiazepene medications, but there are a few of us kava users around. Since ASAP is an unmoderated newsgroup it is very tolerant of alternative medicine discussions. (The moderated clone of ASAP will flame you to a crisp for even mentioning kava.) The newsgroup format may be more suitable for the type of questions that you have than this one, (not that I'm slamming this board!) plus you may find other helpful suggestions and support for coping with anxiety. A few quick replies to some of your questions and concerns: - there is a wide variation in quality in kava products - there are a few good capsules around, but many people believe that the powder form is stronger, but not very convenient. - if you open the capsule and put the contents into food, you could decrease it's effectiveness (depending upon how much food you're talking about). take kava on an empty stomach (2 hrs after eating, and wait 1 hr before eating again). - in addition to the hepatogenic properties of the leaves, stem and stump peelings, there may be that some people who are susceptible to an immuno-allergenic reaction to kava. research is necessary to quality this possibility. you need to monitor yourself for signs of liver toxicity in case you have this pre-disposition (caused by an enzyme deficiency that is more common in Caucasians than in Asian/Pacific Islanders). - in the US, the FDA inquiry into kava is still open. it may or may not result in a ban. right now, it seems unlikely, but it will depend upon events and research info. Figaro
nsmith4366 Thanks for your response. I am learning about relaxing alternative therapies...and experimenting with what works/how much/when to take and the effects. I will check back in on May 14th as I return from a trip then. Thanks again so much. What a wonderful group of folks. Wish I knew you all.
climbing_guy <i>It has recently alleviated all my depression, anxiety and muscular tension</i> Hi nsmith4366! I realize this is a very old thread, which is exactly the reason that I'm replying to it. Since you said you got some good medicinal effects from kava, I'm wondering if you "relapsed" or if you continue to enjoy the same benefits that you did when you first started using kava. That is, of course, assuming you still read this discussion board!