So my kava came in the mail today and I don't have a lot of tools at my disposal- like a blender (I live in a dorm..)- so I decided to get a little creative. I bought some coffee filters, beer cups, and a bottle of 91% isopropyl alcohol 9% water solution. I soak and agitate a mixture of kava root powder and alcohol, then filter out the powder leaving the kavalactone/alcohol/water solution. I'll let it evaporate for a while; over the weekend if necessary. I'll be left with a small layer of kavalactones and whatever impurities. Is this the best way to extract the nonpolar kavalactones from the root?

I would make a tea-type beverage from it but considering the kavalactones are not water soluble I've dismissed the idea..

A certain "group" of kavalactones act as an analgesic, and when I moved the solution into a better container (ceramic coffee cup as opposed to a soho beer cup) I let the trace remainder of solution dry and wiped my thumb all over it to accumulate some of the oil on it and I put it under my tongue to try to ingest the kavalactones sublingually. My mouth is numb! That's a good sign. Another good sign is that the root powder I extracted the kavalactones from does not stick to itself and clump. I believe I have extracted the kavalactones fairly thoroughly. I plan to take a moderate/big dose of the oils when I wake on monday. I can follow up again if BLTC would appreciate it.

For those who didn't read the first thread, I purchased a 16oz bag of powdered kava root from konakavafarm.com and it was delivered promptly. So if you want to follow along interactively, be my guest. =)

I gave up on preparing kava long ago. Just put two or three tablespoons in a glass, add water, and down it. Every bit as enjoyable (the effects that is), and I find its good for digestion as well.

Does this actually get you fucked up? I remember trying to get high off this as an 8th grader and it didn't work.

I really have yet to see. I experienced some mild effects but the extraction will let me make sure I'm getting enough. I've read that people have kind of a reverse tolerance (like supposedly the first time you smoke weed you don't get high kind of thing) but I haven't confirmed it. That could be just someone who was not dosing properly.

By the way, does anyone know any recipes for preparing kava that aren't complicated (or naaaaasty!)?

Think poor college student without access to a kitchen or anything..
I can buy things at walgreens, though.

Kava uisn't as much of a high as well... a relaxation.

When I ordered kava and had a big bag of some powder arrive at my dad's house, he asked questions, so I told him, for lack of a better description that kava is like the anti-coffee... like, you start a day with a cup of coffee so you can be woken up for work... but when you are done work and have dick all to do but watch TV and sleep, then drink a nice relaxing cup of kava.

I don't understand why people think it tastes bad... it is just, earthy, that is all, it isn't bitter or anything, just earthy, and I kind of enjoy a cold iced-kava tea.

Does this actually get you fucked up?

You're asking the wrong question.

And just some general info from BLTC's beloved robinhoody ;) http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/189661/beginners_guide_to_kava.html

By the way, does anyone know any recipes for preparing kava that aren't complicated (or naaaaasty!)?
Go to pg 5^ for ways to prepare it.

sorry to say, but I stopped reading after I saw Isopropyl alcohol. Enough kava if you have a good extract should be enough but to me that is a larger than suggested dose. Without extracting an extract like that.