Completely clueless

[RahRah]

Hi there, Im completely new to Kava and have only taken it in pill form. I was wondering if anyone had any insight they could share with me about Vanuatu Kava and the company that makes it - California Xtracts?
I wanted to use it for a supplement to help aid mood and weight loss and would love to hear from anyone who has used this or something similar.
Each capsule is 400mgs. It says that I can take it up to 3 times a day however I have no clue if that is safe or not?
And is drinking Kava tea more effective than taking a supplement?
I know Im asking a million questions, its just that I want to get the most out of this Kava I have. When is the best time to take Kava? Morning or night?
I have read a lot on here already however haven't come across any information about Kava taken as a supplement.
Hopefully, fingers crossed, this is a good move for me!

 

[Kavafied]

Hi there, Im completely new to Kava and have only taken it in pill form. I was wondering if anyone had any insight they could share with me about Vanuatu Kava and the company that makes it - California Xtracts?
I wanted to use it for a supplement to help aid mood and weight loss and would love to hear from anyone who has used this or something similar.
Each capsule is 400mgs. It says that I can take it up to 3 times a day however I have no clue if that is safe or not?
And is drinking Kava tea more effective than taking a supplement?
I know Im asking a million questions, its just that I want to get the most out of this Kava I have. When is the best time to take Kava? Morning or night?
I have read a lot on here already however haven't come across any information about Kava taken as a supplement.
Hopefully, fingers crossed, this is a good move for me!

We like to rely on the test of time and only use kava in traditional drink form, the way its been used for thousands of years.

 

[Zac Imiola (Herbalist)]

Yes taking that many is safe.
However we don't know how safe the kava used in their production is. I recomend you buy some traditional medium grind kava from a well trusted vendor such as @Gourmet Hawaiian Kava
Buy a nutmilk bag and some nitrile gloves
Place 3 to 4 tablespoons of kava into bag
Dip bag into warm ish hot water and begin rubbing it with your hands. Like rubbing a tea bag while your steeping .
You'll feel the oils and keep going untill they stop coming out and it feels dryer.
Then throw away the residual kava matter
Ice your drink and chug 4oz amounts every 20 minutes

 

[Deleted User01]

Welcome to the forums @RahRah! In the old days, I used to take those Gaia kava capsules to help me overcome RT. The minute I started getting effects, I switched to the real thing. The real thing is so much more potent. I tell you one thing, you gulf down 2 shells of grog right before supper, you will lose some appetite. Plus you have to drinks lots water which also helps with weight loss. I'm not sure about taking kava all during the day. It may put you to sleep during the work day.

 

[wormwood]

You can drink kava throughout the day as I do it and others do as well. You just have to search a long time (or not so long if you happen upon it immediately) for a kava that doesnt make YOU particularly tired. For me it comes in the form of a mix of KWK's Pouni ono and Fiji Loa Waka

And as Deleted User01 had somewhat eluded to, buy some medium grind off of one of the vendors here. Quality is then assured as are the effects.

PS-I have unintentionally lost weight since I began drinking kava daily.

 

[CactusKava]

Hi there, Im completely new to Kava and have only taken it in pill form. I was wondering if anyone had any insight they could share with me about Vanuatu Kava and the company that makes it - California Xtracts?
I wanted to use it for a supplement to help aid mood and weight loss and would love to hear from anyone who has used this or something similar.
Each capsule is 400mgs. It says that I can take it up to 3 times a day however I have no clue if that is safe or not?
And is drinking Kava tea more effective than taking a supplement?
I know Im asking a million questions, its just that I want to get the most out of this Kava I have. When is the best time to take Kava? Morning or night?
I have read a lot on here already however haven't come across any information about Kava taken as a supplement.
Hopefully, fingers crossed, this is a good move for me!

Hi @RahRah ! I've never heard of that company, so I would question the quality of the product. As kava is an unregulated substance, the best vendors test their kava to ensure it's free from nasty stuff. I personally use TrueKava (www.truekava.com) as my lab, and each batch I receive is tested by them. The traditional way of brewing kava tea is easily the most effective (not to mention cost effective) way to get the effects you're looking for.

I've got a sampler pack of all of my kavas, and I include a nut milk bag for free so you'll have everything you need to make a great batch of grog. Here's the sampler pack I offer: http://cactuskava.com/product/ck-sampler

Please let us know if you have any questions! We're a really nice bunch.

 

[kilakila]

I'll vouch for @CactusKava and @Gourmet Hawaiian Kava. Both offer great advice and customer service. Their sample packs are a great way to discover a kava that works for you. Both companies are always willing to answer any queries - and they are enthusiastic, knowledgeable and ready to share their love of kava. Oh, and @kalmwithkava is a great company too. Their concentrate drinks make it easy to get some quick relaxation on the go. Also give Ozia kava candy a try (be careful though if you're sensitive to sorbitol).
I've never heard of California xtracts. If you want to use capsules initially I strongly suggest Gaia capsules to start you off.
Have fun!

 

[RahRah]

You guys are awesome and thanks so much for the advice! Seriously, I was having trouble deciding what to do, where to go for proper advice and what product I should be using!!! My next order will definitely be from one of the companies you have suggested. I like the idea of keeping it traditional, I want to do it that way too. I just had this offer come up and it was too cheap to let go. And my curiosity got the better of me - so here we are! A sample pack sounds great and Im stoked that its even available.

 

[RahRah]

And excuse my ignorance, but what is a shell???

 

[The Kap'n]

Half of a coconut shell. Usually ~4-10oz. Kavasseur's "Shell" looks more like a motorcycle helmet.

 

[Zac Imiola (Herbalist)]

Lol. Yeah the shell is I believe traditionally 4oz. Which seems accurate being that it's about the most you can do as a "shot" .

 

[Vekta]

You can also be a radical usurper and use stoneware Japanese sake tumblers instead.

I know I'm a freak.

Welcome to the tribe.

 

[HeadHodge]

And excuse my ignorance, but what is a shell???

WELCOME!! Here is a Headgie Hug

A shell is something a turtle, snail or a hermit crab wears on their back

But it also can be a small wine glass size (8 to 12 oz) of kava that you drink or chug. Doing that means you have had a session of kava. Lately I've seen members referring to it as 'installing' some kava instead.

In the good ole days back on the islands, they would use actual hollowed out coconut shells, because they couldn't buy wine glasses back then.

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g1zvf05N8tVslTbI5Dsv2ZfiHDdBDJ+KM7/ZXsexdksoMDWjJWsHgm0wA0AAcFaC6446cssthKhCpIQhCBjiuW7bbLGKoGnYOHeYTo4ceREjqulqlYuPcsvds7PIcNjH0nGm8Q9phzXWkcQfvfNaZqB1x659Vv9oNjU8QO8IeMnjPwPELisVh8RQO7IeBobGP3zXh5fpvcevDlaspzSsejtYTFRrmcbT5K5/6lTmC6DaxBBvkvJlw5T06zKVelLMqk7H0vxG+aaNp0x9seRPyCjoy+Fbi/KcFkVNtsHwhzukBVKm26hndaG8yrx4M76Tco6OYzVXEbVpMzcCfui5P0XM169R87zjcGBNvJVqJ9fn1XfD6X5qLyabGL269xLaYDQOBknros9jnb0ukuJ6n9FLh6Xd3hf71rCXQBOp/NOpUt4zGupXoxwxw8RzuVySigTIA8tFewOGLyALAD+Sp8Lg3ERkPU9Fs4WiGiAF0xwt8pyy0nwGGDAAFv4JqzMMxbWDYurlWnh2q42iCocM1W97QZrUszaOwaFUf5lNrvFoKwcZ7N8K/4Q5h/pcfkZC7VlPjcp8LNQ3Y80q+y1v2a9TqGn6BFP2XN1rP6Bg+i9MhEJ0RXXXA4b2ZYcfE6o7xdHyAW7s3sfhaMFlJsjU3PmbroUqdMZcqhpYdrcgApQEqVUkIQlQCEIQCEIQVq2SxMctuqsjGtRrDrrNx2GbUEOHgdR4LVrtVKo1FRyeM2Q9s7veHr5LGqU4PeHQtgru6jVTxFBrrOAPiJUXjnp0mbiKlIcAJyTnERAC6SrsemcgR4Eqs7YbJkF3p+Sm8VV1xz1STflbwH1TmDj+/Jbo2O3i70/JPbslnM9fyT7eR1RzlUEkHhl4aBS0sI4kECfBdLSwLG5NE+fzVkMVTjTcmJR2QSQTYcDf8ARa2FwTW5C/E59FZbTUrKaqYyJtpKbFcosTadNXKNNaxPhaa2sJTVHC0lsYWmsTVylTtZWqbITaTVMESEJULQiEqEAhCEAhCVAIQhAIQhAIQhBXes/F01plh4KvWoE6I1zWJpqjVYujxGz3nJpWfV2VV+45GsN7FA6mtp+x634blE7Y1b8J3ojdsV1NROprcOxK/4TvRMOw6/4TvRbtu2IKMpBSW4Nh1/wneQQdh1/wAJ3omzbEFFOFJbQ2HX/Cd6JRsOv+E70Q2yW0lKymtUbErfhuUrdjVvw3LDbOpUlew9FW6eyKv3HK5Q2a8ZtKxmzMNRWrh6abRwjtQrtOkRoiStCclDUu6tYRCWEQgRCWEQgRKlhEIEQlhEIEQlhEIEQlhEIEQlhCB6xsVt9on3bHP3arabju2JNQU3hvFwM58FsrIdsBhqms573O3gR/pgANqNqBvdYC4S0fESQMiJKjPq/S78H2t28h9Pb9Egkb1jTaRumQ6rUNJrSOO+0g8IVHBdqQ8Bz6T2N9yKpME5kgAccoB1JVkdnKYdvB9QDfa9zZbuvcys6uzelsiHPOREiJlB7N0t3c3qm7uOpxLT3C7ea27fsnL1lR/seif4k3O/8T+f6K/tHRAJO+N0PLxuGWCnZ2/wvAETM8Eyp2ja14DqdRrPcuqlxbcbrt2IE5xpnLeKmobDawENe8EsLN4CkDBdvE7oZuzp8MRojAbBp0SwsL5aHg/AGvFR2+7eaGgCHXG6AumPVrv5eXk+31/j4S19rNaWAsqlz27262m5zmtBaCXgZQXC2aZsXawrg27zZ34uxp3nAN3vvQAY0BHEKFnZ5oeagq1g9znF7w5gLw4Uxuu7kARSYO7BtncqxszY7MOXGmXAOnebI3XOLi7fIA+K8TqAJmAqnjujPUv4+GihCESEIQgEIQgEIQgEIQgEIQgEIQgEIQgEISEIFQof8OOLv+RSigOLv+R9UFfFYqo10Nol4t3g9oHOQbpaOKqE3pFogmS4G4LgBlqAD/cpv8Pf4neG8YR7gcXf8joIQRuxD9KZP9wGls0+jVcTdhaIzJB6JfcDi7/kU9lODMk+JJHkgehCEH//2Q==

 

[RahRah]

Well that makes sense! I kind of like the idea of going full hog and trying it from a coconut shell one day - first things first though, need to get me some proper product!
I seriously appreciate your feedback guys. There is sooooooo much info on the net and its hard to know what to trust. Im really glad I found this community.