nihil
Journeyman
Reged: 09/15/03
Posts: 70
Loc: New England
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Does anyone know where I can purchase some high-quality kava, whether it is in capsule or root form? The reason that I ask is that I cannot find ANY where I live! I visited three major pharmacies and one supermarket today and didn't find a single bottle. I checked the internet and I read that some countries (Germany, France, Japan, Switzerland, England, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Singapore) have actually BANNED kava as well, because of the supposed "damage" it does to the liver. (see article for more info: http://www.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,7350377%255E1702,00.html) I don't think it's been banned where I live but I just can't seem to get my hands on any. I'd appreciate any help.
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charm
Member
Reged: 05/28/03
Posts: 141
Loc: Ohio
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They would (and will if they can find a way) ban all herbs "for our protection" of course..(bs). If the FDA doesn't approve it, it's not good for us BIG LAUGH!! I get alot of my herbs from www.vitaminshoppe.com. You can search numerous ways..ie: brand, herb, price comparison, etc. They accept cc's and ship right to your door. At least they do here in the US.
I am not a dr, not even close and do not claim to be but I did take a real interest in herbs several years back and studied them intensely. With that being said, please always thoroughly check out any and all herbs before you take them: their effects on any other conditions you may have, any vitamins or minerals they contain (in some instances too much is not good), if they should be taken a certain time frame from any other herbs... Especially if you are taking prescription or OTC drugs. Some herbs can actually enhance or decrease the effectiveness. I'm sorry for rambling on when you only wanted to know a place to possibly obtain one herb. And I am especially sorry if I've insulted your intelligence, when you probably already know the needed info. on the herb or you wouldn't be taking it. I have a tendency to ramble on at times. Goodluck!
PS...SO FAR it has not been banned in OH.
Charm
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sensorium
Board Addict
Reged: 12/12/01
Posts: 386
Loc: US
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www.maya-ethnobotanicals.com
Have you tried Kava???? It has virtually NO effect in about 90% of people who try it. Worthless in my opinion.
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nihil
Journeyman
Reged: 09/15/03
Posts: 70
Loc: New England
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Thanks for the links guys, I'll definitely be ordering some soon. By the way, the link that stugel posted actually has kava with a potency of 426 kavalactone -- the typical store-brand extract types usually have 30-90 kavalactones in them. I did some searching and found another place that sells kava: http://www.kavakauai.com/ They claim to have the most potent kava but they don't list exactly how potent it is.
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They would (and will if they can find a way) ban all herbs "for our protection" of course..(bs). If the FDA doesn't approve it, it's not good for us BIG LAUGH!!
haha, I know what you mean! The thing is, though, that the FDA has actually said that kava is "an effective and safe herbal remedy without the potential of severe hepatotoxic side effects, if used properly according to the medical instruction." But I could see how various governments would want to ban it, as they fear that people might actually experience a sense of euphoria on it... and we all know that when people experience euphoria they burn down cities and kill each other 
Quote:
With that being said, please always thoroughly check out any and all herbs before you take them: their effects on any other conditions you may have, any vitamins or minerals they contain (in some instances too much is not good), if they should be taken a certain time frame from any other herbs... Especially if you are taking prescription or OTC drugs.
Yeah, I know. I'm not on any meds at the moment but I know you shouldn't take it with narcotics or benzos, and especially MAOI's, the latter of which can lead to a fatal reaction. Like you said, the rule holds true for any herb, medicine, or chemical you put in your body.
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Have you tried Kava???? It has virtually NO effect in about 90% of people who try it. Worthless in my opinion.
Actually, no. The reason I want to is because I've heard a lot of good things about it from people who have taken quality versions of it (like the kind you find in drinks in Fiji). Like a great sense of relaxation and reduction in anxiety. Though I've also heard some people say that they felt nothing different even after taking massive doses (in the 1.5 - 2 gram range) of certain low-potency store-brand kinds. In any case, the experience is worth shelling out $20 or so. Hopefully I won't be dissapointed.
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gnome
Member
Reged: 01/11/02
Posts: 101
Loc: mtns
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Drink the good tea, strong extract or the true root then you will realize it's power. I first drank the tea from a coconut shell out in the Pacific a few years back. Most of the capsules are worthless, like the stuff at walmart don't even bother. Go to a Health food store that sells these whole herb products. Kava kava is one of the most expensive herbs in the market.
g
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-So, if a duck floats and so does wood then wood must weigh the same as a duck.
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Trampy
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 04/03/02
Posts: 1276
Loc: Southwest U.S.
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You need to get it from straight from Vanuatu. Freshness really makes a huge difference. By the time it gets to Kava Kauai, it's already old because he buys it in tremendous quantities and doesn't reorder until he runs low, which could be half a year or more. I know him. I don't even think he grinds it himself. Those roots are HARD!
Two years ago i found a supplier in Vanuatu who airmailed a pound of powder to me from there ... and i can't find the bookmark or URL ... it was good stuff .. all stale and worthless by now ... but a Google search should find something if this place can't help you:
http://www.vanuatu.net.vu/kavakompani/KKcultivation.html
Get it straight from the source, and if you're really serious about kava get a heavy-duty grinder and buy the roots. The roots stay fresh a lot longer than the powder. Ask the kava people about a grinder if you're gonna do that. Kava roots will destroy many a grinder.
Trampy
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Your mileage may vary ...
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Trampy
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 04/03/02
Posts: 1276
Loc: Southwest U.S.
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[quoteHave you tried Kava???? It has virtually NO effect in about 90% of people who try it. Worthless in my opinion.
Yup! In my opinion, over 95% of the "kava" sold in the U.S. is totally worthless. So that's why most people say it does nothing besides turn your teeth yellow (if they notice anything at all) ... and that's only if they're using a strong extract like the one from Gaia Herb and putting the drops in their mouth. The kavalactones are yellow and not water soluble and they bind quite strongly to tooth enamel. Kava drinkers have yellow teeth. Even when the kava goes stale, it still stains the teeth.
Of all the extracts sold in the U.S., Gaia Herb probably has the best Kava. They have two kine. I think the alcohol one is better than the alcohol-free. But it's cheap and might be worth a try while you're waiting for roots from Vanuatu and a grinder.
http://www.internatural-alternative-health.com/SCAT/GAIAHERBS_5743.cfm
One good thing about Gaia Herb is that they put the date of manufacture on every bottle. If it's less than two months old and stored well, it's probably still potent. After a year ... it's not even worth cleaning the bottle to reuse it, it'll be so gunked up.
Trampy
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Your mileage may vary ...
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nihil
Journeyman
Reged: 09/15/03
Posts: 70
Loc: New England
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Yeah, you're right. I was finally able to get a hold of some of the store-brand kind. The first time I took some (450mg) I felt really hot and tired for about two hours but no sense of euphoria or relaxation at all. After that I upped my dosages to see if anything would happen. I got to 1.5 grams and I still couldn't feel a sense of anything. I doubt if I took the entire bottle that I'd get anything out of it.
I actually already ordered some powdered Mahakea kava but I'll try the Vanuatu variety as well.
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mihammer
Stranger
Reged: 07/19/03
Posts: 8
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hi, i wonder if the 300 mg. are worth trying? i've ordered
vitimins here before when they have buy 1 get 2 free sale,
(couple times a year i think).they seem to provide quality
vitimins, suppliments, ect. regards, rich
http://www.puritan.com/
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Sovereign
Stranger
Reged: 09/21/03
Posts: 3
Loc: USA
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I have never had any luck at all from store-bought kava. The best way is to order it directly from an area/country that grows it. The are several Hawaiian sources on the internet.
As some other posters mentioned, freshness is a big issue. I received a bag of kava from www.kava-for-health.com about a year ago. When I first used it I felt a numbness in my mouth (a sign of potency) and then the relaxing effects. I forgot about it and when I went to use it some months later it was worthless.
One big key is how you prepare it. You could put the powder into water and just swallow as-is. But if you are going to "steep" it, you need to work it around. They sent me a cloth bag. What I did was pour cold water into a large mug and worked the bag (with the kava) in the water with my fingers until the liquid was a coffee-with-milk color. The results were quite good.
Good luck.
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Adamantios
Banned again
Reged: 10/24/03
Posts: 19
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I finally got my Mahakea kava from konakavafarm.com:
Ordered: ?
Sent money morder: 7 October
Shipped: 20 October
Received: 28 October
I should have actually received my order on 23 October, but for some reason it was misrouted and it took the post office a couple extra days to get it to the right address.
As for the kava itself, it was superior to the store-brand pill form. But unfortunately, one cup of kava (or three tablespoons of the stuff) only results in effects that last for one to two hours and then completely dissipate. You'd have drink more cups of it for stronger and longer-lasting effects.
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CzArSheL
Board Addict
Reged: 06/30/02
Posts: 344
Loc: South Central US
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This is the place right here
http://www.mountainroseherbs.com/bulkherb/k.php
scroll down on the page for prices and qualities
I got a QP of the high grade stuff and we made Kava Milk shakes in the blender using about 8 oz or 1 cup per shake,
tastes so so so bad and makes your mouth numb BUT it definitely did the trick 
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Trampy
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 04/03/02
Posts: 1276
Loc: Southwest U.S.
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Quote:
The are several Hawaiian sources on the internet.
There are a few Hawai'ian distributors who buy in bulk from Fiji and resell it. Buy it direct from the grower ... or very close. Otherwise, it's likely to be stale by the time it gets to you.
Trampy
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Your mileage may vary ...
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diggsbakes
Veteran
Reged: 09/17/03
Posts: 600
Loc: Mountians
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My local "Herb Cottage" store carries the root and swears that it is fresh. Try going to a specialized herbal remedy store, they are usually honest (from my own experiences) and carry only products they believe are quality. As for the store-brand or wal-mart kind I agree with everyone else, it is not even worth trying.
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padmakara
Member
Reged: 09/16/03
Posts: 136
Loc: Chiang Mai
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Here's what you want: http://www.konakavafarm.com/whatis.html
Fresh hawaiian kava is the way to go! Hawaiians have been growing 'awa for hundreds of years, there are not just hawaiian resellers. There are many unique varieties of 'awa. Ask around if you ever go to hawaii, you can find da high grade. Hawaii sure has some of da best pakalolo(pot), so why not 'awa? (i never tried any from other pacific islands.)
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opie_waan
Member
Reged: 12/19/01
Posts: 186
Loc: Philly
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www.jlfcatalog.com has all sorts of dried and fresh exotic plants and stuff. I get my dried opium poppy pods there, it makes a great tea(still have an opiate buzz the next day) they sell kava also
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