How Kavaka came to be

Kavaka is the Sanskrit term for fungi. After much debate, the name simply clicked when Jenni began selling tinctures from mushrooms she had grown and extracted in her lab. Jenni grew up in the Eastern Cape, and after matriculating in East London, studied at the University of Port Elizabeth, continuing to gain a Bachelors of Science (Biochem, Zoo) and to qualify with her Masters of Science in Biochemistry. This built the foundation for what would become a lifelong passion and career.

In 2014, after an unexpected curve-ball, Jenni decided to join a course on mushroom growing in Cape Town, marking the start of her journey with the fabulous world of fungi. Having chosen to become a scientist, it should be of no surprise that gathering information is an exciting part of daily life. As her interest in fungi grew, so did her knowledge on the topic. Discovery of the ancient traditional fungi medicine of the East, with their astounding healing properties, become a natural path of interest. Having been a part of the world of traditional medicine for many years, it felt only natural to take a step into the field herself.

With access to a GMP certified lab and a craft still, Jenni began building on her knowledge of growing mushrooms and extracting them for use as a tincture.  The tinctures use double distilled spirit from pure malted barley together with natural spring water and homegrown mushroom fruit. Through much trial and error, the method was refined to produce small batches of premium quality tinctures. What started as a hobby grew larger than expected and the natural progression was to begin selling the tinctures. Thus, Kavaka was born. 

An inspiring tale

And what makes this job so satisfying

On 12 November 2016 I  acquired Guillain Barre Syndrome (GBS). I was admitted To Durbanville Mediclinic. After a 2 ½ week induced coma  I “returned” totally paralysed. I had numerous complications and was at the Mediclinic for 2 ½ months before being taken by ambulance to Vincent Pallotti Rehab. At that stage the nerve function was returning to my fingers and hands but I was “dead” from the waist down. I endured 2 unhappy months at rehab, was dissatisfied with the  care, physio and circumstances. They told me I would be in a wheelchair for the rest of my life. I went to a retirement complex and into frail care as step-down. There, with the older folk, and being sent the most wonderful neuro physio’s and OT, I healed mentally, emotionally and physically.  I walked out with custom made splints and crutches. One of my wonderful physio’s continued home visits, two years ago I bought an automatic car and started to drive and regain my independence. In Jan 2019 I started wearing bilateral AFO’s, I have bilateral perineal nerve damage and bilateral footdrop.  I discussed Lion Mane Mushroom with a neuro surgeon in 2019 but he was concerned about the process of presentation and the additives. End 2020 I sourced fresh cylinders of Lion Mane and started cultivating it – I ate two fruiting and it started to work. A dear friend introduced me to Jenni’s bottled Lion’s Mane, I started taking it  a  month ago – my cylinders weren’t fruiting, I think due to the intense heat we experienced. I have been ‘drinking’ the drops, twice a day for a month. I have increased sensation under my feet, my toes want to grip (they haven’t been able to  do this for 4 yrs), I have constant tingling under my legs and ‘stabs’ of pain in my legs on occassion. Nothing else has changed in my lifestyle or diet. The neuro surgeon told me I would slightly improve but my debilitating condition would be permanent. I continue to visit my wonderful physio once a month and she help me with balance issue and generally keeps me sane. 

I am grateful to have discovered this amazing product. Having met Jenni, I am confident that the product she is producing is pure and unadulterated. I will continue taking these amazing drops – my goal is to be able to run, ditch the splints and skip, one day.

– Liz