Ingesting Root Powder (Straight)
Rod	Aloha Awa Ohana, I'd be interested in hearing about experiences of people just downing a tablespoon or two of just straight awa root powder. It seems as though I read a while back in one of the testimonials, a person discussing this with Jonathan. (Jonathan, if you read this maybe you could comment.) Anyway, last night after a late walk, my metabolism was still racing and I couldn't sleep. So I just got up and took two spoons of powder and chased it with water. The effect seemed pleasant. My muscles and mind relaxed and I was able to sleep. Mahalo, from the big island of Long Beach, California.[^]
yee	Aloha Rod, I understand that Kava King uses their "micronized" kava (ground to small mesh size) to make it easier to swallow with water or liquid. Wisely perhaps you started with a small amount. I don't know and haven't uncovered the consequences of taking much larger quantities this way. However you could check the dosage guidelines with presumably the max end being at 100% extraction (rather than the presumed 50% made available with a water infusion): http://jonathanyee.com/nativeplantsforum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=23&SearchTerms=dosage Probably bioavailability would be enhanced if you added more saliva by chewing it first and/or because sublingual absorption is very effective (all those blood vessels under the tongue allows for the kavalactones to take a direct path to blood circulation). Much work apparently needs to be done in this area. At any rate, however, I often do some tests on kava by putting small samples of powder or root in to my mouth and trying hard to discern taste, potency and effect. (I think that would be a fun contest at our kava festival.) Aside from the toughest fibers from a long root, I end up swallowing all the samples and have always felt it has helped my end digestion. Mahalo, Jonathan manager, Hawaiian Kava Center, LLC