Which Kava product best for first time user?

[kl.cjacek]

Hi,
Can you guys advise as to which kava product (and also company) you'd recommend for someone with no experience with Kava? I've been battling pretty bad anxiety / panic attacks / OCD for years. I just wish to help keep my mind / body from severely over-reacting, keep it calm.... I've checked out some of the sites etc... but there's too much choice and product. Which one do I choose and which company can be trusted? 
Thank you kindly for your help.
Dan

 

[Kojo Douglas]

I'd start with Paradise Kava's extracts and, if you like them, work up to their dried root Kavas.

 

[kl.cjacek]

Thank you very much for your response. Good to have you echo my feelings about it. I spent several hours last night researching, found a great Kava review site http://kavasseur.blogspot.ca/ and read more on this forum, searching and searching... I was in fact leaning toward the Paradise Kava extract (when I saw your post) and also the dried root Kava. I thought I'd give both of these a try, maybe a sample pack or something.... But then found myself asking if I should get the dried or the frozen? No worries, thanks for your input, will order from Paradise Kava. I'm sure it's the right path to take.

 

[kl.KarmaG]

Welcome! I like Paradise Kava's extracts as well. They're very tasty and are pretty relaxing. But I would also suggest getting some dried root powder to get a better feel for actually drinking kava. Bula Kava House has a great selection of reasonably priced dried root as well as a great Instant Green product which has been getting some rave reviews lately and is really easy to prepare if you're uncertain if you want to take the time with traditional preparation. Kava by Rex also has good and affordable dried root powder. I wouldn't go as far as getting fresh frozen yet since you're not sure if you'll even like kava and it is a bit pricey. I wouldn't worry too much, though, since if you decide that you like it, you'll probably end up trying a whole bunch of different kinds. It seems like kava can turn into a near-obsession for some, myself included. Just my 2 cents. (smiley: smile)

 

[Kojo Douglas]

A near obsession indeed! One of the best things about it, though, is that it is fundamentally non-addictive. I have been drinking it for 13 years now and sometimes go months without it. However, I do prefer to have Kava around

 

[Paradise Kava]

Dan, A good Fijian kava which is light in taste and strong in effects is a good place to start (you'd have to search around till we gets ours in stock). Our extracts are a good place to start as well.  Personally, there is only one winner in my eyes for first timers and that is fresh frozen kava. Nothing beats it because it's the safest bet. No next day effects, never heard of a case who got sick on it because of the plethora of enzymes and amino acids which help the body digest the kava. However, it's a bit of an investment for a first timer.

Overall, these few points may help you in your first experience, as we tell the hundreds of people who visit our booth at Farmer's Markets in Hawaii:
1. Try a good quality lighter tasting kava and trying it in on a somewhat empty stomach. Not full not empty, is that makes sense.
2. Secondly, try enough! Most first timers give up after a cup or two after their mouths go numb. Well, there is much more to experience past the numbness. Commonly known as the reverse tolerance effect of kava, it's really important to get past this hump for first timers. Next time, you feel the effects faster and lesser kava is needed in general.
3. Create a pleasurable atmosphere. It's important to have dim lighting and soft music as opposed to the opposite because kava creates light and sound sensitivity. In Vanuatu, one only whispers in kava bars and loud talking is not the norm. Also, if the taste is bothersome to you, try serving the kava very cold and with pieces of fruit as chasers after every glass of kava.

Hope that helps Dan, welcome to discovering a potentially fantastic experience,
A.G

 

[kl.cjacek]

paradisekava: Thanks, I appreciate the additional words of advice. I just ordered the extracts and powder from you (yesterday), a smaller amount for now, just to try it out... Needless to say I'm really looking forward to receiving and trying those out. Much thanks.



Dan

 

[Steve]

Hi Dan,



Paradise Kava is great! Adil is an awesome guy and will take care of you. They have a lot of good tasty extracts that work well and I would not hesitate to get his kava



I play in kava land as well (developer / business owner) and your original question peaked my curiosity. I am looking to get more people interested in kava and have been studying this plant for sometime. I have made commercial beverages that taste great and have now created a new kava kava candy - great for daily use. The problem with introducing people to kava is overcoming the taste...as you will find out (if you have not already), kava is an acquired taste and takes sometime getting use to. I love it myself, but try to introduce to my friends with little luck.



Thus, the creation of the kava kava candy was designed to help ease tension levels without "knocking you out" so that you can use during the day as needed (ie. traffic jams, stressed day at work) with no preparation time. It is tough to bust out some cloth and start straining in your cubicle - leave that for when you get back from work Also, the kava candy gives you a nice numbing on the tongue and tastes like a vitamin C chewable (although it is better to dissolve in your mouth). I just released the candy and have gotten great feedback thus far. I am hoping to pull people into the kava world and use the candy as a gateway to other kava products. Feel free to check out: http://kavakavacandy.com for more info. Aloha, Steve

 

[kavalover]

Hi Dan,



Paradise Kava is great! Adil is an awesome guy and will take care of you. They have a lot of good tasty extracts that work well and I would not hesitate to get his kava



I play in kava land as well (developer / business owner) and your original question peaked my curiosity. I am looking to get more people interested in kava and have been studying this plant for sometime. I have made commercial beverages that taste great and have now created a new kava kava candy - great for daily use. The problem with introducing people to kava is overcoming the taste...as you will find out (if you have not already), kava is an acquired taste and takes sometime getting use to. I love it myself, but try to introduce to my friends with little luck.



Thus, the creation of the kava kava candy was designed to help ease tension levels without "knocking you out" so that you can use during the day as needed (ie. traffic jams, stressed day at work) with no preparation time. It is tough to bust out some cloth and start straining in your cubicle - leave that for when you get back from work Also, the kava candy gives you a nice numbing on the tongue and tastes like a vitamin C chewable (although it is better to dissolve in your mouth). I just released the candy and have gotten great feedback thus far. I am hoping to pull people into the kava world and use the candy as a gateway to other kava products. Feel free to check out: http://kavakavacandy.com for more info. Aloha, Steve

I just bought a few of your products, I'll let you know how I like them.

 

[kl.midas]

Hi Dan,



Paradise Kava is great! Adil is an awesome guy and will take care of you. They have a lot of good tasty extracts that work well and I would not hesitate to get his kava



I play in kava land as well (developer / business owner) and your original question peaked my curiosity. I am looking to get more people interested in kava and have been studying this plant for sometime. I have made commercial beverages that taste great and have now created a new kava kava candy - great for daily use. The problem with introducing people to kava is overcoming the taste...as you will find out (if you have not already), kava is an acquired taste and takes sometime getting use to. I love it myself, but try to introduce to my friends with little luck.



Thus, the creation of the kava kava candy was designed to help ease tension levels without "knocking you out" so that you can use during the day as needed (ie. traffic jams, stressed day at work) with no preparation time. It is tough to bust out some cloth and start straining in your cubicle - leave that for when you get back from work Also, the kava candy gives you a nice numbing on the tongue and tastes like a vitamin C chewable (although it is better to dissolve in your mouth). I just released the candy and have gotten great feedback thus far. I am hoping to pull people into the kava world and use the candy as a gateway to other kava products. Feel free to check out: http://kavakavacandy.com for more info. Aloha, Steve

Do you have any plans to start shipping your products to Europe?

 

[Steve]

Hi Dan,



Paradise Kava is great! Adil is an awesome guy and will take care of you. They have a lot of good tasty extracts that work well and I would not hesitate to get his kava



I play in kava land as well (developer / business owner) and your original question peaked my curiosity. I am looking to get more people interested in kava and have been studying this plant for sometime. I have made commercial beverages that taste great and have now created a new kava kava candy - great for daily use. The problem with introducing people to kava is overcoming the taste...as you will find out (if you have not already), kava is an acquired taste and takes sometime getting use to. I love it myself, but try to introduce to my friends with little luck.



Thus, the creation of the kava kava candy was designed to help ease tension levels without "knocking you out" so that you can use during the day as needed (ie. traffic jams, stressed day at work) with no preparation time. It is tough to bust out some cloth and start straining in your cubicle - leave that for when you get back from work Also, the kava candy gives you a nice numbing on the tongue and tastes like a vitamin C chewable (although it is better to dissolve in your mouth). I just released the candy and have gotten great feedback thus far. I am hoping to pull people into the kava world and use the candy as a gateway to other kava products. Feel free to check out: http://kavakavacandy.com for more info. Aloha, Steve

I just bought a few of your products, I'll let you know how I like them.

Thanks Dan - hope you enjoy and looking forward to hearing from you.  Aloha, Steve

 

[Steve]

Hi Midas - yes would love to ship to Europe.  What country are you in?  Makaira from Kona Kava Farms put up a good post but it was in 2009 so things may have opened up a little:  http://www.konakavafarm.com/blog/?p=37    Feel free to contact me through http://kavakavacandy.com (Contact section) and we can set something up.  Aloha, Steve

 

[kl.midas]

Hi Steve. I'm in Ireland. I think Kava legality is a grey area here . Irish based retailers voluntarily agreed to stop selling it on the government's advice back in 2002, though it is not actually Illegal to sell or buy kava in this country.



http://www.irishhealth.com/article.html?id=3494



I have bought kava online from a couple of different vendors with no problems.

 

[Steve]

Hi Midas,

I have no problem trying to ship to Ireland - we can try if you have had success before.  If you go to the shop:  http://kavakavacandy.com/shop/
You can feel free to let me know what you would like and I can get a quote.  I doubt shipping will be more than $7 or $8.  Aloha, Steve

 

[kl.CarolinaBC]

Steve, I ordered a trial pack after the rave reviews.  Hint, hint....if you didn't have that 2 case minimum I'd of gotten a case at $30.

Looking forward to this as a shell washer downer.  Thanks for coming up with a product that is kava based and still has the kick we all know and love.

Thanks, Ben

 

[kl.midas]

Steve, I ordered a trial pack after the rave reviews.  Hint, hint....if you didn't have that 2 case minimum I'd of gotten a case at $30.

Looking forward to this as a shell washer downer.  Thanks for coming up with a product that is kava based and still has the kick we all know and love.

Thanks, Ben

The cases are definitely the most cost-effective way of buying them. If I like the trial pack I ordered I'll probably get a couple of cases as a birthday present to myself. Agree that being able to buy a single case at $30 would be very nice though!

 

[Steve]

Thanks guys - for sure the cases are the best deal per pack.  Essentially, you could get two cases, sell one case at $4.99 a pack and pay for your own free case.  I put the two case minimum because I want to still provide free shipping and also provide a great incentive for those who like to wholesale or just buy in bulk.    Again, thanks a lot for the orders and hope you like the kava candy.