Kava Kava

Nick-H

...happens to be my favourite tipple*.

Anyone ever heard of this being available in India? Or if there are likely to be any problems buying it from abroad (I kind of feel that Indian customs are likely to be picky about things)

*well, ok, it tastes disgusting, but swallolwing it only takes a few gulps.

WidespreadPanic

Sorry to wake up an old thread.

Nick-H, i have been searching around for some kava here in bangalore. No luck. Just checking in to see if you may have had some success.. or anybody else??

Thanks

shashank.aggarwal

are we talking about the Kashmiri Brew ??

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maltabella

In Italy it was banned in 2002, but still avalaible via web, just googling kava...

AQIS

I am an avid kava drinker too Nick!

I order mine from Klin Kava (google them!), easily the best product on the market today!

India isn't in their stated market list but I'm sure the owner (John) will sell/send to you if you email him!

He is based in Vanuatu.

Nick-H

Ummm... I don't know, what is the Kashmiri brew?

We're talking about a plant which is a fairly close relative of the Betel leaf. Used as a mild intoxicant in Hawaii and South pacific islands. I think it needs a hot and wet climate to grow.

It was also taken up by the Western pharmaceutical industry due to its proven efect as a mild anti-depressant, but dropped when it was implicated in a very small number of liver-damage cases (like anything: research before use and be sure to evaluate whatever risks you are taking). It used to be available over the counter in health-food shops, but it is now illegal to sell it in UK. It is not, so far as I know, even now, illegal to possess or use in UK. I used to get it mail-order from Hawaii. I haven't tried in India, and I wonder how Indian customs will treat any unknown brown herbal powder. I've taken it there, but these days, as married resident, I don't feel like taking any risks with customs, police, etc.

One day I will send my wife (without the foreign husband) to ask at the herbal medicine merchants.

Nick-H

Maltabella, yes... same as UK, probably: I expect it was Europe-wide.

Thanks for the message, Aqis, and welcome to the site.

shashank.aggarwal

Kawa is Kashmiri tea...with spices and dry fruits...

Its very good for consumption in cold weather...

Nick-H

No... this is a mild intoxicant, not at all like tea --- in fact it tastes revolting!

ananda2193

Kava is the root of a kind of pepper plant well consumed in the pacific islands.

I know you can get it in health food stores here.

It's a mild intoxicant that numbs the mouth and lips. Never tried it yet. Can't wait to sample one day.

It's supposed to give you a serene, peaceful feeling.

hermespan

Hello Nick,

I also use kava, regularly actually as I find it effective for insomnia. Did you have any luck finding piper methysticum in India? I have a very small amount I am bringing to Calcutta next week and expect to have to mail order it from overseas. You'd think there would be ayurvedic alternatives however.

Best wishes

kullukid

Naughty Nick!!

Nick-H

My Kava thread re-surfaces... but unfortunately, not the kava. I think I'll have to take a trip to the Pacific .

I just checked out the site I used to order it from, only yesterday, and the price has gone up to a ridiculous £40 a pound (about half a kilo)

Indian law is so damned fussy about intoxicants that I am very reluctant to import it, either in person, or by post. A PIO card can be revoked...

camelgirl

I know it's already old news, but no harm mentioning the warnings for the toxicity of Kava Kava. Probably not important unless overdone.

But as I always say, or someone else did but I like it, "knowledge is power" http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5147a1.htm

Since it's not just us anxious Americans but European studies, I guess it's worth reading.

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ananda2193

From wikipedia,

Kava has a potential for addiction, as it produces mild euphoria and relaxation in the user [12] Heavy kava use can lead to general ill health including shortness of breath, dry scaly skin, liver damage, malnutrition and changes to red and white blood cells and platelets [13]. Long-term consumption of large amounts of kava can lead to toxic effects such as ataxia and ascending paralysis without loss of consciousness[14]

A moderately potent kava drink causes effects within 20–30 minutes that last for about two and a half hours, but can be felt for up to eight hours. Because of this, it is recommended to space out servings about fifteen minutes apart. Some report longer term effects up to two days after ingestion, including a feeling of mental clarity, patience, and an ease of acceptance. The effects of kava are most often compared to alcohol, or a large dose of diazepam.[15]

The sensations, in order of appearance, are slight tongue and lip numbing (the lips and skin surrounding may appear unusually pale); mildly talkative and sociable behavior; clear thinking; calmness; relaxed muscles; and a sense of well-being. As with other drugs that affect the GABA receptors, there can also be paradoxical dysphoria. The numbing of the mouth is caused by the two kavalactones kavain and dihydrokavain which cause the contraction of the blood vessels in these areas acting as a local topical anesthetic. These anesthetics can also make one's stomach feel numb. Sometimes this feeling has been mistaken for nausea. Some report that caffeine, consumed moderately in conjunction with kava can significantly increase mental alertness.

A potent drink results in a faster onset with a lack of stimulation; the user's eyes become sensitive to light, they soon become somnolent and then have deep, dreamless sleep within 30 minutes. Sleep is often restful and there are pronounced periods of sleepiness correlating to the amount and potency of kava consumed. Unlike with alcohol-induced sleep, after wakening the drinker does not experience any mental or physical after effects. However, this sleep has been reported as extremely restful and the user often wakes up more stimulated than he or she normally would (though excessive consumption of exceptionally potent brew has been known to cause pronounced sleepiness into the next day). Although heavy doses can cause deep dreamless sleep, it is reported that many people experience lighter sleep and rather vivid dreams after drinking moderate amounts of kava.[15]

After thousands of years of use by the Polynesians, and decades of research in Europe and the U.S., the traditional use of kava root has never been found to have any addictive or permanent adverse effects. Users do not develop a tolerance. While small doses of kava have been shown to slightly improve memory and cognition, large amounts at one time have been shown to cause intoxication. In Utah, California, and Hawaii there have been cases where people were charged with driving under the influence of alcohol after drinking a significant amount of kava (eight cups or more) although some of them were acquitted due to the laws not being broad enough to cover kava consumption.