Trying kava again need some advice

[kl.scottslawncare]

The first time i used kava was about a year ago i got the fire island instant i drank five cups in about 2 to 3 hours and had kinda bad experience. i quit drinking alcohol march 18 2009 and am looking for an alternative. Recently got into Vicodin and i know it sounds bad but i really liked it as an alternative for alcohol. I do not take it to relax at night i take it to get through the 7 day work week when im at home i love to be sober and just watch tv and hang out with my wife and kids but 7 days a week is getting freaking old and i need something to keep my head straight. Marijuana is easy to get legally where i live but can not stand being stoned out of my mind around my kids and it always sneaks up on me. So I guess what i am asking is what is a good kava to drink and how much to take, not to get totally screwed up but to have a little buzz to make it threw the day?

 

[kl.CarolinaBC]

I'd try some Boroguru or Borogu from Bula Kava House, Vanuatu from Kava Kauai or some Hawaiian or Fijian from Paradise Kava.  Buy a strainer and use about 1/4 to 1/2 a cup of the root powder to about 2-3 cups of water.  Just put the powder in the bag and immerse it into the water and "massage" it while underwater for at least 5 minutes.  Drink up and enjoy.  It might take you a couple of days for it to build in your system but don't give up.  Once you get paid back for your patience you'll really enjoy it.

 

[kl.scottslawncare]

so i mix 1/4 to a 1/2 of a cup in and drink the cups threw the day when i had that powder stuff i had 1 tbs per cup and kinda freaked with only 5 cup

 

[kl.scottslawncare]

how many days/drinks will a kilo of the Boroguru kava last

 

[Vekta]

Days? That would probably last me around 1.5 years. If you plan on drinking it every day you can cut that down to around 4-6 months rough guess. 5 cups of kava (1 tbsp per cup) is a lot. Even at 1 tbsp per cup I'd have trouble putting away that 3-4th cup. Then again I don't drink as much kava at once as some of the others here.



When first starting out, sure use 1/4-1/2 cup of root when you brew up a bowl. If it makes you sick reduce the amount of kava you use little by little.

 

[kl.scottslawncare]

ok im sorry but i am not understanding anything about this stuff when i got the fire island stuff it was instant so im sure there is difference in amount it did not come with directions i don't remember why i was even putting one tbs per cup but that is how i prepared it 1 tbs in a cup of i dont know how many ounces 8 to 16 and i stirred it till it dissolved i had 5 cups of that and i didnt get totaly messed up but i just was not used to it like a high i had never felt and dint care to do again. Im going to give it another chance i just have no idea what the hell i am doing i looked at the Boroguru 1 kilo 54 dollars will a 1/4 kilo for 20 last me and then when i mix it how much do i use and do i mix more and just put it in a pitcher in the fridge whats the shelf live after mixed i know nothing

 

[Vekta]

When I used fire island I bought the 10 gram packets. 5 grams is suppose to be one serving but I used the full 10 gram packet per 8 oz. of water. When I got a 55 gram tin I used 2 teaspoons per 8 oz. of water.
Yes, instant kava is different from dried root. For one, dried root is not as expensive. There is also a different prep method that's a little more involved. You'll have more choices when shopping for dried root.
1/4 kilo is a good sampler size. That way you can dry 2 or 3 different kinds of kava without spending too much.
As a general guideline 1-3 tbsp per 8-16 oz of water is a decent starting range. You'll have to experiment. I settled on 2 tbsp in 10 oz. of water.
Here is a video on how to make kava featuring our very own Adil Ghiasi...
(flash video)

 

[kl.scottslawncare]

Thanks a lot.

 

[Paradise Kava]

Firstly, I just want to say congratulations brother!
TRYING to get off alcohol and Vicodin is the first intention. You may have fallbacks (who doesn't)  and you may make strides and then sort of fall back again. The two steps forward, one step behind may apply to people like us.
Yes, us, because I have my own story of being sober for six years and actually diving into the Kava business because I wanted to develop a medicine for my self (later developed a muscle salve just for my wife's neck issues).Such is life, we get into those things which help us right?

My advice is to do a bit of research and pick out a few different kavas to see which ones agree with you. There's a lot out there, and batch to batch at any vendors place will vary because it's a hightly self regulated industry (changes are happening, starting in Vanuatu, but it's slow) and the general quality of kava is getting better in the marketplace.

Keep in mind:
- The taste is hard at first. 2 cups later, it wont bother you. Try eating a small piece of caramelized ginger from a company called REEDS or any sweet fruit right after a cup. Really helps new comers get past the taste and more into the effect.
- You may need a bit more than normal (especially if you are desensitized to substances)
- Various kava's effect you differently and it's really person to person. For example, I am not a big fan of ISA in general, although a friend and mentor, Skip Bittenbender who is an academic and expert in the field of growing Excellent! Hawaiian Kava thru UH of Hawaii at Manoa; has a ISA kava break every afternoon. I'll drink it to make him happy, of course but it's a doozie to see this man, who will have 6-7 Exquisite Hawaiian kavas for testing in a month at the kava festival, preferring Isa! Go Figure.
- Try lighter kavas. Carry a bottle of made up kava beverage to help you thru the day. When your body is totally sensitized to kava, try stronger, less volume solutions like extract, candy, instant, etc. 

Hope this helps. I am passionate about this post because I've been there. All the best to you as you attempt to strike a balance in life. We're here if you need anything.

 

[kl.scottslawncare]

Thank you for the advise i had purchased the Borogu Kava Ceremony Kit and another 1/4 of Boroguruand i am hoping it helps i am woundering how long the shelf life is after i make it and if i take it in the truck with me will it go bad

 

[Vekta]

3 days max. Day #3 will probably be a little weird  but still drinkable. Keeping it cold might help a little.

 

[Paradise Kava]

You may be better off pouring freshly made beverage into plastic bottles and freezing them instead of keeping them in the fridge for a few days.

This way you can take it in your truck for the day if there is a cooler involved.

All the best!

 

[Ozzyfan121]

As someone already mentioned, Boroguru from BKH is great. I believe it is out of stock right now, but when it's back in, I would recommend Fu'u. I never listened to anyone when they preached to me about this, and I actually got pretty pissed, so I'll make it quick—the Vicodin will eat you alive; using it to get through the weekdays was what I too used it for. Before you know it, you'll have switched from Vicodin to H. I'm not trying to sound pretentious, hypocritical, or act like I know you, but I wouldn't wish opiate addiction on my worst enemy. Just be careful.

 

[The Kap'n]

Wise words ozzyfan. I too suffered the same self-imposed misfortune. Nothing's worse than doing something and not wanting to. Opiates tore me up. I know we don't want to preach, because nobody could tell me otherwise but it's always nice to see someone willing to share. Kava is a blessing. I think it's up to us to remind everyone of that fact.