Could you recommend me a Kava?

[bulagamer]

Hi, and thanks for all the forum information here. I read a lot of these threads before I bought, and have since just about emptied, a pound of Boroguru from BKH.

I guess I've paid my Kava dues as I can consistently get the same results and have found my preferred method of making it (1/2 cup k to 2 cup water, 1/2 cup coconut milk, stockings, 2 8oz drinks 20 min apart). I really enjoy the Boroguru now that I "get it", but I've since realized this is not the Kava for me at this time. What would be something on the less sedating/muscle relaxing scale... maybe even the opposite... you know, something energetic... or at the very least not tiring? I enjoy the beginning phase of my Boroguru sessions... the well being, peaceful everything is A-ok feeling, but after about 15, 20 minutes, I feel HEAVY. I once had my Boroguru session wearing my work clothes and I could feel the weight of my wallet, and keys and belt and Oh-God-this-stuff-felt-so-miserably-heavy-I-gotta-put-on-pajamas-now feeling! Ahaha. I had to sit down and melt in the couch... and that's great, but I can rarely ever just do that. I've got two little ones, and one is cutting teeth... and let me tell you, suddenly having to get up and walk a 25 pound fussin' toddler on Boroguru is misery.

Sorry, I tend to ramble. Anyway, suggestions? I don't really know the terminology like you guys do.

 

[infraredz]

You're referring (I think) to "heady" kava. I think that Nambawan is by far the best "heady" kava in terms of effect, potency and taste.
Some others worth trying are: Solomon Island by Nakamal at Home, Borogu by Noble Kava or Bula Kava House, Melo Melo from Bula Kava House and most Hawaiian kava I've had have been pretty heady so talk to Chris (Gourmet Hawaiian Kava) and he can definitely set you up with some good stuff (I haven't been fortunate to try any of his kava yet, but it's gotten great reviews and Chris is a great guy). Fu'u from BKH is also in that category, although a little more relaxing.

 

[CanAwa]

I second nambawan but if you are looking to get a little more powder for your cash bkh melo melo is a nice kava to have on hand when your kids are rolling around. It has a nice subtle uplifting feel. I've had times where I just felt annoyed with kids ..and yes one of those times was with boroguru .

Edit: it tastes horrid tho ,what kava tastes good tho really . This one makes me gag every shell but it's worth it

 

[kavadude]

I will second those recommendations, melo melo is by far the cheapest of those btw and still quite potent, and I'll throw in Tanna Kaolik by Noble Kava, Solomon Islands by N@H and any of Chris's Hawaiian as good ones to try.

You might also want to look into instants, extracts, or Kalm. Bit more pricey but convenient and none (other than GHK's Vanuatu instant) in my experience are extremely sedating or muscle relaxing.

 

[bulagamer]

Hey thanks gang, I really appreciate the input! I was leaning towards Nambawan, but might head the Melo Melo route first. I almost chose Melo Melo to start with, but I hedged my bet on wanting to feel something... or, anything, after reading about how kava sometimes takes time, and went for one that seemed stronger. I'll check back in and let you know what I get and how it goes.

 

[bulagamer]

Alright, I've hemmed and hawed long enough and just ordered a pound of Nambawan and I hope it isn't wasted on me! Along those same lines, now that I've been able to consistently get the effect from the Boroguru, am I set for life... or does my body forget after x amount of time? Even further, since there are different strains, do I have to train up each kind of strain? I dunno... just curious.

So far, probably my best experience with kava was the day after my first attempt... I drank 24oz of mixed Boroguru (2 tablespoons per cup of water, iirc), in < 1 hour... had a bad time that night... dizzy, naseau, headache. However, the next day, I felt so wonderfully relaxed and at peace and everything was just aces... this feeling lasted for maybe 6 or 7 hours. I'm hoping to get some more next-day effect from the Nambawan. I still get that with the Boroguru, but only very mildly. It probably has a lot to do with the fact that I'm only drinking 16oz per session. Does that 3rd cup really push things over? I don't know if my tummy can handle drinking a third shell. I've been 'listening to the kava', and it's telling me not to drink a 3rd shell.

 

[kavadude]

In my experience you can take quite a lot of time off and come back with no loss off effect, and there is no strain specific tolerance or reverse tolerance.

It's going to vary from person to person. You drank 6 tbsp of boroguru in an hour and it made you sick (is that right?). I would say the headache is a sign that you didn't drink enough water, make sure to stay hydrated. Other than that, you might try spacing it out even more, trying some anti-nausea measures (ginger beer is excellent), that sort of thing.

 

[bulagamer]

Ok, thanks for the info, I appreciate it. I've been slightly stressed that I'd lose my progress toward the tolerance thing. I think my first missed-boats were mainly due to not fully appreciating the empty-stomach thing.

 

[CanAwa]

Nambawan is a nice choice ..I also enjoy paradise kava s Fijian waka ..I mixed some tonight with some boroguru ..right now I've kinda got the best of both worlds ..body and mind melting going on right now ..it's a nice little mix

 

[Deleted User01]

For heady Kavas, I just had the Honokane Iki from GHK. This is a Kava that you can drink and still "do stuff". The Hawaiian Kava is mellow in taste. GHK just finished a Harvest so it is fresh off the farm. I would recommend the Mapulehu too. It is lower in Kavalactones but is well balanced and "mildly sedating". I use it when I'm having a really bad day at work. Maybe get .5 pound of each and see what you think. FYI. GHK lists all their chemotypes and percent of Kavalactones.