24601
exit stage left
I've been using kava periodically for about a month. I'm not sure how often it's safe to use, but it's very good in emergencies when I need to find some calm. I have anorexia and I find that taking some kava can really help me get past the anxiety around eating. Of course, then I have to deal with the anxiety of weight gain, which leads to more kava.
I buy powdered root from a vendor nearby to my geographical location that I trust, because it's a good price and she ships it incredibly fast, I can order, pay, and get it in a couple of days for a very reasonable price. I've never asked her what kind/strain/whatever it is though. I guess when I was brand new to kava I didn't care. Next time I have money, I'm going to try one of the more well known online vendors, just for comparison. I usually put a couple of tablespoons in a muslin bag and then squeeze the bag while immersed in 1 cup of cold water for 10 minutes. At first I hated the taste but I've really gotten used to it now. Sometimes the effects seem hit or miss though. I've gotten some very good results, and some hardly noticeable results from the same batch and preparation.
I've noticed my kava use is escalating a little bit. I can't afford to use it daily, as it is already I'm almost out of the kava I bought recently and I'm too embarrassed to put in another order already (my vendor is very personal and not a faceless website) but I've discovered that a health food store near me sells kava extract. I think I'll try that next, even if it doesn't work as well, just so that I've tried it.
I'm in a precarious position right now with anxiety and waiting on a seemingly endless waiting list for treatment for anorexia, and the kava is really what's getting me through. I'm just nervous that it's going to trash my system if I use too much. I'm also getting weekly blood draws to monitor for adverse health effects from the anorexia, and don't know if kava reacts with blood tests.
I buy powdered root from a vendor nearby to my geographical location that I trust, because it's a good price and she ships it incredibly fast, I can order, pay, and get it in a couple of days for a very reasonable price. I've never asked her what kind/strain/whatever it is though. I guess when I was brand new to kava I didn't care. Next time I have money, I'm going to try one of the more well known online vendors, just for comparison. I usually put a couple of tablespoons in a muslin bag and then squeeze the bag while immersed in 1 cup of cold water for 10 minutes. At first I hated the taste but I've really gotten used to it now. Sometimes the effects seem hit or miss though. I've gotten some very good results, and some hardly noticeable results from the same batch and preparation.
I've noticed my kava use is escalating a little bit. I can't afford to use it daily, as it is already I'm almost out of the kava I bought recently and I'm too embarrassed to put in another order already (my vendor is very personal and not a faceless website) but I've discovered that a health food store near me sells kava extract. I think I'll try that next, even if it doesn't work as well, just so that I've tried it.
I'm in a precarious position right now with anxiety and waiting on a seemingly endless waiting list for treatment for anorexia, and the kava is really what's getting me through. I'm just nervous that it's going to trash my system if I use too much. I'm also getting weekly blood draws to monitor for adverse health effects from the anorexia, and don't know if kava reacts with blood tests.
All your questions are good ones. First off, there are people and vendors who have been doing kava daily for anywhere from 2 to 20 years with no ill effect. The Islanders have been doing kava for hundreds of years with no ill effect. I personally have been doing kava about 5 times a week for 2 years. The other 2 days are reserved for wine or beer. When you get a blood test, just pay attention to the AST and ALT readings. These are related to the liver and I watch those like a hawk. I think all of us here think kava is very safe but then peanuts are also safe .... most of the time. So if you haven't had any allergic reaction yet, I would say that it is safe for you. If the doctor gives you medication, then come here and let us know because you might not want to mix Kava with certain meds. We have people here who are well educated on what you can't mix with Kava. As with any drug, just self-monitor yourself and pay attention to any changes that are not desirable. Post your results here.
