New to Kava... First Kava Experience.

[kl.goldenslumbers]

Hello, I became interested in Kava after learning about its calming effects and possible ability to make socialization a bit easier. As someone who is depressed on a regular basis and is horrified of social interaction, I thought it would be pretty cool to try it out. I ordered this kava (http://www.amazon.com/Better-Living-Products-Kava-Ultra-fine/dp/B001QA4UB8/ref=aag_m_pw_dp?ie=UTF8&m=A2NFK9LKOS5KCL) on Amazon because I didnt want to go through having to strain it out. Their website claimed this type had the highest concentration of kavalactones possible. I actually got pretty excited about it getting here, and I did a good amount of research on the effects and other people's experiences.


I'm a very small person (4'11", 90 lbs.), so I decided I'd try a little less than what most people were doing. I made a cup of passion fruit tea, let it cool all the way down, and put in a heaping spoonful of the powdered kava in as well as a good amount of stevia.

Now, I heard that kava tasted bad but nothing I think in the world could have prepared me for this. I have really, no exaggeration at all, never tasted anything so bad in my life. I drank it seven hours ago and I'm still having flashbacks to drinking it. I often heard of the tate being contributed to "earthy", but I would think of it more as "hellish". The passionfruit obiously wasnt a good choice. Even though this mizture was fine grained, I still had to stir it in between every sip. It was so gritty that I choked on it a couple of times while trying to gulp it down, which was not pleasant considering the taste. It did numb my tongue,  lips, and back of throat slightly.


It took me about 20 minutes to finish drinking it. I didnt drink all of it. A lot settled to the bottom so I didnt drink all the way to the end. I was laying on my bed at that point with the windows open listening to music. After about two hours, I didnt feel any effect so I went down to try some more, this time in a smoothie. I put in a good amount of ice, milk (it was lactose free, I dont know if that matters), 10 strawberries, a whole apple, several tbsps of stevia, honey, and finally 2 heaping spoons of Kava. I blended it for maybe 2 minutes or less. I thought it would be enough to mask the flavor. No. Not even in the slightest. It was even stronger than my previous concoction. I was convinced for the kava to work, so bravely, I poured one cup of the concoction. I found it easier to swallow when holding my nose and taking sips of water in between. Even still, I was barely able to keep it down due to the texture and taste. Slowly enough I got pretty sleepy and was in a half-sleep for about an hour and a half. When I got up, I was a bit dizzy and felt slightly strange. I can compare it a lot to the feeling you get in your head when you have the flu- a little off, confused and dizzy. I found it very hard to focus on anything. I'm still feeling that feeling now- it took a lot of effort to try to type all this up. I was also very nauseous and had some heartburn. I haven't eaten anything all day and I have no appetite...


So, I didnt experience any real relaxation, euphoria, or anything. I'm just bored and unhappy as usual, even more because the taste has scarred me so much. Nevertheless, I'm going to try again tomorrow. I think. I'm thoroughly convinced, no joke, I will have a nightmare about drinking kava. I have a LOT of the smoothie I made left over so I'm going to have to drink that... Ick. I wasn't too surprised I didn't feel anything. Any sort of supplement I've ever taken before thats supposed to alter mood doesn't do anything. The one time I got laughing gas at the dentist it did absolutely zero. However, I'm still disappointed.


Any advice on how to make the taste better? Or how to feel more of the effects? Did I do anything wrong? I'm only 16 going on 17 so maybe that has something to do with it... Thanks in advance.

 

[Vekta]

I'm so sorry you had to go through that. Amazon would be the last place I'd buy kava. Unfortunately, getting the full kava experience means putting in the time.


I don't think that many of us flavor our kava for the most part, just root and water.


The kava taste is always going to be there. For some it's an issue, for others not so much. There are many varieties of kava from many different Islands. Each have different flavor profiles.


Earthy

Pine

Woody

Smokey

Clay

Paper...

...even spicy, minty or sweet notes can be found in the multitude of kava root and other products available.


I'd suggest getting a bag of quality kava root from one of our well respected vendors on the forum (Just pretend that Kona Kava section doesn't exist). We also have a kava wiki with many different prep methods to suit your needs.

 

[kl.goldenslumbers]

Thanks for the response.

Unfortunately, and stupidly, I bought a whole pound of this stuff, and my mother wants me to finish it. So, I have to deal with this type. I guess I'll just have to attempt to get used to the taste, though that seems almost impossible. I'm determined to make it work. I'll search the forums and take a look at the wiki. Is there any advice for strengthening the type I already have?

 

[Vekta]

You can try a ratio of 2 tbsp kava in 10 oz. of water.


You can use something like coconut water or get some Lecithin granules. The added fat content may help your body absorb the kavalactones from the root better. Really anything with a little fat content will work in theory. But Milk would probably be disgusting with kava. The coconut water might help it taste a little better.


But really...try it with just water. It's traditional on some islands to drink it as fast as you can. So make a 2 tbsp: 10 oz ratio and slam it like a shot.


I'll be in our chat room for a while if you want to come chat about kava related things.


http://www.kavaforums.com/chat/

 

[kl.goldenslumbers]

Thanks again. I think I'll try that tomorrow. I attempted to chug my first concoction but it was impossible due to it being so gritty. I just kept furiously coughing. I'll add some soy lecithin granules tomorrow and see how that goes.

 

[Vekta]

Even with Micronized kava root it helps to strain it. Silk screen, cheese cloth, Fijian strainer cloth, or women's nylons can all be used.


Women's nylons are cheap and you can get several strainer bags out of 1 pair. They strain well and make for a much smoother drink.

 

[kl.midas]

Hi there, and welcome If this is a whole pound of kava for $40 then it's likely that it's just mirconised kava root rather than kava extract, in which case you're probably better off straining it, as Vekta says. That should help filter some of the worst of the taste out for you too, hopefully. Sometimes, mixing kava with a drink that tastes nice on it's own makes it taste even worse, I find. One thing I've found that seems to make the taste much more bearable is rice milk. This is the stuff I use.


http://nu-spoon.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/ricemilk.jpg



Kava root does vary wildly in quality from supplier to suppler, but in a lot of cases you need to go through many doses before you finally start getting any effects anyway. So even if this isn't the best quality powder, it may still serve a purpose to get you over your reverse tolerance. If you buy more kava later, you should maybe try one of those the people on here recommend as mood-lifters. Off the top of my head, Tongan Pride, Fu'u, Tongan Lightning, Paradise Kava's extract are all known to be heady, mood-lifting kavas.

 

[The Kap'n]

(Just pretend that Kona Kava section doesn't exist).

I second this motion. 
It looks like you've gotten a hold of just plain powdered root. What you were probably looking for is instant kava. 
https://www.nakamalathome.com/buy_kava/Instant-Kava-Powder/ (Pricey, but you get what you pay for. It's strong, quality product)
http://store.bulakavahouse.com/collections/instant-kava/products/instant-kava-root-drink-mix (currently sold out, but an awesome product when it's in stock)
That being said I realize you need to finish your supply. Make it with the coldest water you can possibly get, 33 degree water would be just about cold enough. Do not breath through your nose while you are drinking it, and after you finish your portion rinse your mouth out with water before your first breath. Feel free to utter any explicates that may come to mind afterwards. The second option would be to allow your nearest trash receptacle to finish the rest of it. I at one point was drinking unfiltered kava and that's a chore. Every night I needed kava before drinking my kava to quell the anxiety I would experience just thinking about consuming it. On your next order be sure to get some instant, or the gear required to make traditional. It's worth it.
Kava tastes bad. (To me, and to most of the rest of the world who drinks it) However, once you experience the full effects that kava has to offer I assure you  it will taste quite a bit better.

 

[kl.goldenslumbers]

Ok, I've got about 10 oz of cold water and 2 tbsps. of Kava. I was unable to strain it, (I completely forgot) so I stirred it around furiously. I'm not really able to chug it. As soon as I try to my gag reflex is triggered. I'm attempting to take gulps, and in between I'm drinking a lot of water and chewing gum. So, no numbing effect I'm assuming because my way of drinking.


Even though I stirred it pretty well, I have to keep adding water into my cup because apparently some was settling on the bottom, which I unfortunately found out the hard way by throwing up. So now I'm afraid to try it again! Ah! Thanks for the advice everyone. I may have to wait a bit before I try again... I literally have anxiety just thinking about drinking it again.

 

[kl.midas]

Sorry to hear that. Maybe give it a few days before trying it again, or else it will probably only trigger your gag reflex again. I do think that straining it properly and using rice milk will make a big difference to the taste, so try that before giving up completely. Trying to drink something with grit in it is next to impossible without throwing up (smiley: eek)

 

[kl.goldenslumbers]

Another question- is it ok to eat things while you're drinking kava? I know you should drink it on an empty stomach (which is what I'm doing now), but can I eat a cracker or something light in between each gulp?

 

[kl.goldenslumbers]

Thanks for the reply. Does rice milk taste anything like regular milk? Because I can't stand the taste of regular milk, that would definitely make me throw up ha. I do almond milk available in different flavors so maybe that would help.

 

[kl.midas]

I don't like cows milk either. Rice milk tastes much better than regular milk, to me anyway. It has a sweet, vanilla kind of flavour. It seems to mix well with the earthy kava taste. I've never tried almond milk but I'd say that would probably work just as well.


As for having a cracker or something while drinking, I'm no expert but I don't think a single cracker or something light would be a problem, not if you're already on an empty stomach. If you find that you completely can't take the taste no matter what, but would still like to try kava some other time, Paradise Kava's co2 extract, and Ozia's Kava candy both taste really nice. Don't give up yet though, hopefully you'll find a way to drink this stuff that isn't too difficult. Let us know if you have any success

 

[kl.CocoKava]

I myself, have just got into Kava also.


I choose plain soy milk with a little honey. It makes it more tasteful, in my experience. That bitter spicy taste will always be present with Kava root, but you can get rid of the gritty texture by straining through a clean shirt, sock, panty-hose, etc. I've heard of traditional Kava drinkers eating a piece of fruit such as a banana or mango to cleanse the palate after each drink.


It will take a couple of tries to get some noticeable effects. Most kavassuer say there is a reverse tolerance with Kava. Which I believe is a viable statement. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reverse_tolerance


Effects I get from Kava:


- Relaxation in body, mind, and spirit.

- Positive and Care-free attitude.

- Increased sociability.

- Less or no anxiety. (lasts a day or two)

- Pain relief.

- Drowsiness or sleepiness.

- Restful sleep with vivid dreams.

- Lots of urination. (stay hydrated ;P)



Keep trying, goldenslumbers. Kava is well worth it.


Also try other Kava vendors. I'll post some below.

Links:

http://www.paradisekava.com

http://www.nakamalathome.com

http://www.kavabyrex.com

http://www.konakavafarm.com

http://www.vanuatukavastore.com



Hope this helped.

 

[kl.goldenslumbers]

I wish I could get those effects! /domain/bypass/images/cry.gif For now its giving me the opposite; making me anxious and upset. 


I'm determined to make it work, but after nearly throwing up this morning (I never throw up) I'm feeling more uneasy. I'll have to try straining it. I'm sad that I'm not able to handle the taste. I'd try it in almond milk but I'm afraid it wont help the taste at all, since 10 strawberries, honey, and a couple tbsps of sugar and and apple didn't. While drinking I tried plugging my nose but even still the taste wasnt bearable for me. Sigh. I'll just have to really go for it next time. I'll attempt to strain some later through old pantyhose. I assume I just fill it with around two tablespoons of kava and then knead the pantyhose back and forth for about five minutes?


As an alternative- Would it work putting the powder into some gel capsules? I know the Kava pills on the market aren't effective at all really, but I thought that was because they contained a minor amount of kavalactones and a good amount of fillers. Would this be a realistic alternative? How many pills would I have to take? Probably a lot...


Thanks for the advice everyone.

 

[kl.midas]

Before you strain it, let it soak in water for 30 mins first, that will make it easier to extract the kavalactones when you kneed it. Here's what I do:


1) Put your kava in your strainer.

2) If using water, I'll use 1 part boiling water to 1 part cold water. If using milk, you'll have to microwave it until it's lukewarm.

3) Place the strainer with the kava inside into your bowl of water/milk

4) Let it soak there for 30 mins or so

5) Kneed and squeeze your strainer while it's submerged in the water/milk for 15 mins or so.

6) Stick it in the fridge and let it cool down (it's much easier to drink when it's cool rather than warm).

7) Drink


Capsules would probably work too, but you'd need to fill a lot of caps per dose! Still, if you can't cope with drinking the stuff you bought, it might be a better option than just binning it. I'd recommend starting with just 1 tablespoon if you take that option, because there was a guy on here recently who takes his kava that way and says it's more potent than traditional preparation.

 

[Vekta]

Another question- is it ok to eat things while you're drinking kava? I know you should drink it on an empty stomach (which is what I'm doing now), but can I eat a cracker or something light in between each gulp?

Yeah, that's fine. Exhibit A as follows:

A nice piece of fresh or chilled fruit goes good with it.

 

[kl.goldenslumbers]

Ok, I dumped a tbsp of the kava onto a plate and filled up 26 gel capsules. It sounds dumb and crazy because it is. But thats how desperate I am to experience the effects and avoid the taste! I'll take them now and hopefully come back with good results.

 

[kl.goldenslumbers]

Before you strain it, let it soak in water for 30 mins first, that will make it easier to extract the kavalactones when you kneed it. Here's what I do:



1) Put your kava in your strainer.


2) If using water, I'll use 1 part boiling water to 1 part cold water. If using milk, you'll have to microwave it until it's lukewarm.


3) Place the strainer with the kava inside into your bowl of water/milk


4) Let it soak there for 30 mins or so


5) Kneed and squeeze your strainer while it's submerged in the water/milk for 15 mins or so.


6) Stick it in the fridge and let it cool down (it's much easier to drink when it's cool rather than warm).


7) Drink



Capsules would probably work too, but you'd need to fill a lot of caps per dose! Still, if you can't cope with drinking the stuff you bought, it might be a better option than just binning it. I'd recommend starting with just 1 tablespoon if you take that option, because there was a guy on here recently who takes his kava that way and says it's more potent than traditional preparation.

If the capsules dont work for me I'll definitely try that method. Thanks!

 

[Vekta]

Patience...rush not to the edge of bliss. The drop is far...and holy crap their are a lot of pointy jagged rocks down there!(smiley: eek)