Kava + itchiness?

[kl.davetruth.niketalk]

Hello all,

I have a couple of questions for you guys out here in Kavaland. I just started using Kava as of one week ago. I started with the Yogi tea, then I used some of the Kona kava root, and I have a half-kilo of some melo melo that I am looking forward to using. I started using kava medicinally because of some anxiety issues that I have had for years, and decided to give kava a shot, after doing A TON of research.

So fast forward one week later, and the results have been fantastic. I mean a definite, noticeable difference in overall mindset, mood, sleep has been better, I am more rested, and my aches and pains from the gym just aren't as bad as they normally are. So everything's been great..except today-I have been feeling really itchy. I actually felt it last night while drinking my kava. Now, all-together, I have drank kava 5 out of the last 7 nights. Last night, I had 2 tbsp. of the kona kava in about 2 cups of water w/ some soy lecithin. Not sure if I felt itchy the other nights, but really noticed it last night and today. I have no hives or rashes..but I am concerned that I might be one of the (un)lucky ones who is allergic. Now all that to ask: Is this a normal reaction? What has your experience been? Have you continued use in spite of these effects? Did You stop all together? I plan on stopping for a couple days, and when I start again, I will be using no more than 2 tbsp. a night, no more than 2-3 nights a week, on a cycle, maybe 2-3 weeks at a time, to see if that helps. Again, kava has already helped me, I mean the residual effects alone, like the next day, have been great. But if i should stop it, then that's what I have to do. Whatya guys think? Thanks in advance for you insights..

Dave

 

[kl.Letharia]

That's cool that it's working for you... I've reaped many of the same benefits. I'd say just cut back and see how it goes. Itching might not necessarily indicate a serious allergy. Kava is dehydrating, so your skin could just be dry without visibly showing it yet. I actually have a sort of rash on my arms (maybe cosmetic dermatitis from detergent, but I'm not sure,) that seems to itch after drinking Kava. So it could be upsetting something in our systems... or maybe it's normal for Kava (I don't know.) I think you have the right idea in cutting back for a while before giving up.

 

[kl.Gray Owl]

I had a weird reaction to WOW! a couple days ago where I woke up at 4am and my skin was itchy all over, I looked in the mirror and my skin was red and blotchy, I'm very careful about staying hydrated and making sure my potassium doesn't get too low. I've been drinking kava off and on for several months, at first it was several times a week, lately it's been like once or twice a week. I think I just overdid it, I made a batch with 60 grams of WOW! and water to make 750 ml, it was about 6 shells, normally I would have done like 40g of WOW! as it's pretty strong. I'm going to try about 1/3 of that with a milder strain like some mahakea, take it slow, and see what happens. If it's an allergy i.e. immune system reacting to something in the plant I don't think the strain of the kava should matter and it shouldn't be dose dependent.

 

[ObiWan]

try it without the soya lecithin.  Soya can also cause allergic symptoms.
Although I am multi-allergic, I never had problems with Kava except dry throat and nose.

The Kona Kava that I had once was a very finely ground (vaporised). I suggest to strain it twice, otherwise you get too much wood in your intestinal. Normally it causes only diarrhea, but who knows...

 

[kl.new2kava]

I'd almost say that it was just kona kava, their kava is pretty suspect in my eyes. Melo melo is probably a much safer bet especially if you got from a reputable vendor like Bula Kava House.

I've never had any type of an allergic reaction, I have gotton weird splotches and flaking skin on my hands but thats because I make kava batchs a gallon in size and leave my hands submerged in kava juice kneading the kava bag for 30-45 minutes about 3-4 times a week. So my hands probably spend about 2 hours a week soaking in kava juice, lol. I have gotten diarrea a bunch of times but I think that may be due to overindulgance and the fact that I typically go for strains high in double bonded kavalactones. Like someone else mentioned it may be the soy as well, I use soy but some people may have an allergy to it. Try kava exclusively at lower dosages and mulitple types of kava, if the reaction keeps ocuring then you may sadly be one of the unlucky people that has kava allergy. If kava isn't an option you may want to check out mulungu or turkish mint, they have comparable effects and may not cause allergies.

 

[Ed!]

Stone makes me feel a little itchy. Not badly at all, but it was noticeable the first time I tried it out.