Kavakava root?

Does anyone know where I might find kavakava root? I would like to grow it but I can't find a source for it. Also valerian root. Hope someone out there has some info. Thanks! Shirley

Not me, sorry - someone is bound to help you though!!

Hey Shirley,try GNC stores' Thought I saw it there once upon a time,lol' Sis'

Shirley - Try posting this in the Herb forum or in the Plant Trading forum; I bet someone will have an answer, or perhaps even a trade/for SASE offer! :o)

Nevermind the Gnc,just reread your post,you want "root",lol thought you wanted the herb concoction,sorry'

Hi Shirley, I can help with the valerian. I have a few seeds or I could send you some plants if you hit me up in the spring. I can't help much on the Kava. I did a search for it and Native habitat http://www.nativehabitat.com/plants.html carries the plants but they're temporarily out of stock. I found this information about the plants on another site

"Kava, piper methysticum, is a hardy perennial belonging to the pepper family, piperaceae. Cultivated throughout the South Pacific and as far north to Hawaii, it thrives in tropical to sub-tropical climates. The plant, which is a stocky, non-climbing shrub is quite ornate having smooth thick stalks with heart shaped leaves. Kava has been cultivated for such a long time by humans it no longer produces viable seed and must be propagated vegetatively by cuttings. Its active principals, Kavalactones, are concentrated in its roots."

okay, someone want to explain how that can happen?? that because of cultivation, it won't put out seed? I don't understand.

I don't know tiG. Actually - I think that's a BS line .... but from my searching the plant must be propigated vegetatively.

now that I understand:) just didn't understand how we messed it up.

Thanks everyone.. and especially Poppysue. I did find Native Habitat..Thanks. I will try to remember in the spring to mail you concerning the valerian. I just started using kava and it would be great to raise my own. I didn't know about the seed. Where did you get the info? Sure love this place and all the help!!! Shirley

It must have been hybridized with the result that the seeds were not formed or were sterile, and no one thought to keep the parent plants. This is one reason for heirlooms, because we have lost many strains through just this lack of awareness.

sorry, i have not been so responsive lately cause i have been bed ridden. anyway, here's some url's for u... http://www.iherb.com/iherb/kavkavin.html
http://www.erowid.org/plants/kava/kava.shtml
hope it helps... ma vie

This is the page I got the above info from http://www.kauaisource.com/kava_info.html