Posted by catmint on April 1, 2003, at 15:56:22
In reply to Re: is kava kava as effective as benzos?, posted by falconman on April 1, 2003, at 1:47:07
>I have given Kava a couple of long trials at high doses, and It did nothing significant for me.
>Hello Mark,
I am curious what you consider a high dose is? When Kava Kava is used in Western medical herbology, it is almost always used in ineffective doses or improper formulations (i.e. herb teas). Preparation of an effective concoction involves bringing the lactone resins into an emulsion, as this is the active portion of the root (containing the yangonine and kawaine) is relatively insoluble in water. The potency depends on the variety used as well as how effectively the prepatation method releases the resins from the woody rhizome and brings it into an emulsion for drinking.The traditional method of prepaing Kava by the people of New Guinea is a drink that is so pungent and soapy flavored, that in full strength, few Westerners would be inclined to regular use.
I have used Kava in this manner and found it to be extremely effective as a sedative, yet it did not cloud mental awareness. The problem is that it is is difficult to drink this stuff, it can really make you gag!
As for comparing it to Benzos, I have only taken Valium once and it caused euphoria, which Kava does not. Don't know about Klonopin.
By the way, this information is from the Botanical Preservation Corps, Box 1368, Sebastopol, Ca 95473
They make a number of produts that are far better than those you get from your average health food store. One such product is a liquid extract, employing the whole resin.
poster:catmint
thread:214835
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030329/msgs/215145.html