What is Kratom?
Kratom is a plant endemic to tropical countries such as Thailand, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, and Malaysia.
The plants of kratom are slender and thin-stemmed. The leaves of the kratom plant are broad with a pointed tip. The maximum height of this plant upon reaching maturity is 25 centimeters.
This plant’s leaves, which are primarily white, red, and green, contribute to the unique identification of different kratom strains.
What Are the Active Ingredients of Kratom?
According to the ACS publications, kratom contains a total of 19 alkaloids.
Some of these alkaloids are called:
- Mitragynine
- Speciociliatine
- Speciogynine
- Mitraciliatine
- Paynantheine
Despite having a strong chemical profile, the literature on kratom alkaloids is limited. Moreover, there are only two alkaloids that are considered as the active compounds in kratom. These two active ingredients are mitragynine and 7-hydroxy mitragynine.
Mitragynine, an indole-based alkaloid, is the most abundant active ingredient present in Kratom. It constitutes about 0.5% to 1.5% of the total leave concentration of kratom. This concentration of mitragynine also differs from region to region.
For instance, the kratom plant found in Thailand has a mitragynine range of up to 66%, and the 7-hydroxy mitragynine makes up about 2% of the total alkaloid concentration of the plant. However, in Malaysian concentrations, the mitragynine concentration is about 12%.
What Does Kratom Taste Like?
Kratom is an herb that tastes basically like grass. It has a kind of bitter flavor. That is why people can have difficulty developing affection for its flavor. Fortunately, there are several ways to mask and reduce the bitterness and enhance the overall taste of kratom.
Below are some of the ways to make kratom taste good.
Mix it in Your Juices
Mixing kratom extract or liquid in juices is an effective approach to mask the bitter flavor of kratom products. You can choose any juice you like, perhaps a seasonal variety, and add a few drops of kratom extract. For a more enhanced flavor, try some acidic juices such as lemonade, orange juice, or cranberry juice.
Mix it in Your Smoothies
Another great way of reducing the harsh flavor of kratom products is mixing it with your morning smoothies. Take the fruits of your choice and add a cup of yogurt. Blend the contents of the juicer, top it off with some honey, and add your kratom products into the mix. This smoothie will be refreshing and provide you with the right flavors.
Top Your Sweets with Kratom
One can never go wrong with pairing kratom with some sweets. Take any bakery item of your choice, say a tart, a brownie, or a cupcake, and add some drops of kratom extract into the topping. The sweet flavor will hide the bitter taste of kratom, and you will gradually develop an affinity for it.
Common Names for Kratom
Here are some of the common names for kratom around the world. These street names are because of the region from where the plant originates:
| Common Name | Country |
| Biak | Thailand |
| Biak-Biak | Thailand |
| Cratom | Indonesia |
| Giam | Vietnam |
| Gratom | Indonesia |
| Herbal Speedball | UK |
| Kadamba | Indonesia |
| Kakuam | Thailand |
| Katawn | Indonesia |
| Ketum | Malaysia |
| Krathom | Thailand |
| Kraton | Indonesia |
| Kratum | Indonesia |
| Madat | Indonesia |
| Maeng Da Leaf | Indonesia |
| Mambog | Philippines |
| Mitragyna speciosa | Scientific Community |
| Mitragynine | Scientific Community |
| Nauclea | Africa |
| Puri | Indonesia |
| Thang | Indonesia |
| Thom | Thailand |
The Correlation between Kratom Leaves and Products
Kratom trees are evergreen, which means that they can be harvested anytime during the year. But the leaves have a designated life cycle of their own.
The leaves tend to mature over time and then fall off the tree. This cyclic process happens at a certain point in time for every leaf. That is why a kratom tree can always exhibit leaves of varying maturity.
The farmers harvesting these leaves from the trees tend to keep an eye on the tree for the maturation of leaves. They are quite familiar with the whole process. Once the farmers acquire the desired leaves from the trees, they can rinse them with clean water to remove any dirt and contaminants.
Farmers pay keen attention to soil conditions and atmospheric parameters and provide the right environment for kratom seeds to optimize their growth. These conditions play a vital role in the final alkaloid concentration of the processed kratom leaves. If negligence exists in any of the factors above, the resulting harvest can lack the desired outcomes.
Different Types of Kratom Strains
White Vein Kratom
This one comes from the leaves of young kratom trees. White vein kratom is preferred by those consumers who appreciate its intense flavor and have developed an affinity for kratom products.
Potency
White vein kratom is harvested from young kratom leaves. It thus contains a high concentration of mitragynine – the active ingredient of kratom, which makes it the right fit for experienced users of kratom.
Features
The strain is harvested from young leaves whose veins are still white. After harvesting the leaves, they are kept strictly indoors and dried in the absence of sunlight.
White Vein Kratom Strains
- White Maeng Da
- White Borneo
- White Thai
- White Indo
- White Horn
- White Bali
- White Elephant
- White Sumatra
- White Hulu
- White Vietnam
- White Malay
Red Vein Kratom
Red vein kratom is harvested from mature kratom leaves.
Potency
Red vein kratom contains a high level of 7-hydroxy mitragynine content, which is why it is also known as a stimulant.
Features
Red vein kratom is processed from mature kratom leaves and is dried in the presence of a lot of sunlight. It can also be fermented to create bentuangie kratom – which is another variation of this kratom strain.
Red Vein Kratom Strains
- Red Maeng Da
- Red Bali
- Red Borneo
- Red Dragon
- Red Thai
- Red Sumatra
- Red Hulu
- Red Malay
- Red Horn
- Red Indo
Green Vein Kratom
Green vein kratom borrows its effects from both red-vein and white-vein kratom. The leaves are harvested at the middle stage of the kratom tree’s life cycle.
Potency
Its aftereffects do not last for long periods on the body.
Features
After the harvesting of leaves from the kratom trees, they are first dried indoors and then in a room with good air circulation. The leaves are then moved outdoors to complete the entire drying process.
Green Vein Kratom Strains
- Green Malay
- Green Maeng Da
- Green Borneo
- Green Vietnam
- Super Green
- Green Hulu
- Green Bali
- Green Indo
- Green Elephant
- Green Sumatra
- Green Horn
Yellow Vein Kratom
Yellow vein kratom, unlike the other strains of kratom, is not produced by the maturation of the leaves. This is a rare kratom strain that is produced by the fermentation of the kratom leaves in a rather new manner, which allows variation in the alkaloid concentration of the kratom.
Potency
The Yellow vein kratom is a potent strain. Therefore, beginners should avoid consuming it.
Features
There is no existence of yellow-colored kratom leaves. The yellow vein kratom strain is produced by altering the traditionally used fermentation methods.
Yellow Vein Kratom Strains
- Yellow Vietnam
- Yellow Borneo
- Yellow Thai
Blended Kratom Strains
- Maeng Da Kratom
- Super Green Malay Kratom
- Bali Gold Kratom
Maeng Da Kratom Strain
Maeng Da kratom is a hybrid form of kratom. Here are the varieties available in the Maenga Da Kratom Strains:
| Maeng Da Kratom Variety | Available Blend |
| Green Maeng Da | 80% green vein kratom powder and 20% white vein |
| Red Maeng Da | 60% Red vein and 40% White vein |
| White Maeng Da | 70% white vein kratom and 30% green vein |
Super Green Malay Kratom
This kratom strain is known as a rich cross between Maeng Da Thali Kratom and Bali Kratom. The Malay in its name is because this kratom strain is mainly harvested from Malaysia. The Super Green in the name stands for the vibrant and strong color of the kratom.
Bali Gold Kratom
Bali Gold Kratom is also known as Gold Bali Kratom. This kratom strain is a mix of green and red Bali leaves. The strains are golden in color because of the special drying process of the leaves. Bali kratom is mainly harvested in the central highlands of Bali, where the climate is tropical – ensuring a high concentration of alkaloids in the end product.
Common Kratom Products
The manufacturers have been finding ways to make the ingestion and intake of kratom as easy as possible. Listed below are the commonly found kratom products:
- Kratom powder
- Kratom capsules
- Kratom shots
- Kratom extracts
How Are Kratom Products Consumed?
Kratom Tea
Kratom tea is made by brewing the leaves in boiled water. The water must be regulated because the alkaloids can get burned at high temperatures, and the taste can get more bitter than anticipated.
To avoid this, add some honey and top it off with lemon juice to alleviate the whole flavor. You can also add some spices to the mixture for the right kick of flavor.
Kratom Powder
Kratom powder is made by drying and then grinding the kratom leaves. The leaves are either dried indoors in the absence of sunlight or outdoors under the sunlight. After drying, the leaves are placed in airtight bags and sent to the factories for further processing.
You can directly consume the kratom powder. Just take a specific amount of powder on your palm and gulp it down with a beverage of your choice.
Kratom Extracts
Another form of kratom is kratom extracts. These are mostly liquid kratom products and boost a rather concentrated alkaloid content. This is often the first choice of people who have an affinity for a strong kratom flavor.
You can add some drops of kratom extract to any food of your choice, be it a soup or milkshake. The addition of kratom extract will enhance the flavor of the food. Moreover, you can directly consume kratom extract as well. Put the drops directly on your tongue and enjoy the flavor of kratom extract.
Kratom Capsules
Another method of kratom consumption involves the use of kratom capsules. Kratom capsules are a novel and contemporary mode of consumption of kratom.
Kratom capsules are also considered one of the easiest ways to intake kratom. With kratom capsules, you do not have to worry about chewing or brewing the kratom products. All you have to do is simply take a capsule and gulp it down with a beverage of your choice.
Kratom Gummies
Hands down, one of the most revolutionary ways of kratom intake is kratom gummies. Kratom gummies are favored by consumers who do not like the bitter taste of kratom products.
Kratom gummies are produced by first boiling the leaves in water. The mixture is then filtered and dried to produce a highly concentrated powder.
Some other components, such as gelatin, corn syrup, sugar, and other sweeteners, are added to the mixture. The material is then poured into a mold to produce aesthetically pleasing shapes. The molds are then placed inside the freezers.
After a set time, the trays are removed. The gummies are then packaged to sell to the customers.
How to Correctly Store Kratom?
Kratom products need to be stored properly. If they are not stored appropriately, the active ingredients can degrade. When stored in the right manner, the shelf life of kratom products can be extended for over a year.
Make sure to keep your kratom products in airtight containers because the degradation of the alkaloids can elevate in the presence of oxygen.
Additionally, mold can grow on your kratom products when exposed to air. Here are some of the effective ways to keep your kratom products safe and secure:
- Make sure to store your kratom products in airtight containers
- Store your kratom products in the absence of UV light
- Keep your kratom products dry
- Avoid storing different kratom products in the same container
- Maintain cool temperatures in the storage place
What is the Required Kratom Dosage?
When it comes to the kratom dosage, there is no hard and fast rule. But a rough estimate puts the kratom dosage range between two to twelve grams.
Here is a rough breakdown of the kratom dosage:
| Microdose | <2 grams |
| Low dose | 2 – 6 grams |
| High dose | 6 – 8 grams |
| Heavy dose | >8 grams |
The intake of kratom is heavily dependent on the effects a person desires, the tolerance level, and the physical parameters of the person. These three factors determine the kratom dosage of a person, and that is why it tends to vary from person to person.
One of the most important factors which work as a key determining factor of kratom dosage is weight. Kratom is a drug that must be taken in small quantities to keep the fatal effects of it at bay and to ensure that you can enjoy it.
Here is an outlook on recommended kratom dosage against the desired body weight, fact-checked by kratom.org:
| Body Weight | Recommended Dosage | |
| Kgs | Pounds | |
| 45 | 100 | 2.5-4.0 |
| 54 | 120 | 3.0-5.0 |
| 63.5 | 140 | 3.5-5.5 |
| 72.5 | 160 | 4.0-5.5 |
| 82 | 180 | 4.5-6.5 |
| 91 | 200 | 5.0-8.0 |
| 100 | 220 | 5.5-9.0 |
How Long You Should Wait Between Kratom Doses?
The next dose of kratom should be taken after you feel like the first dose and its effects have started to wear off from the body.
People who take kratom products every day should try to maintain a gap of 12 hours between two doses. On the other hand, those who are not frequent users of kratom should try to space out their doses by 6 hours.
What is the Legal Status of Kratom?
Kratom is legal in most parts of the world, such as the USA and the countries of its origin. Kratom has a mixed reputation in the health market because of the limited scientific information on the herb.
Here are some US states that have labeled kratom as an illegal drug:
- Wisconsin
- Rhode Island
- Arkansas
- Alabama
- Indiana
- Vermont
The remaining states consider that kratom is not that damaging to health; thus, the use of kratom products is legal in those states. The only thing that these states pay extreme focus on is the age limit for kratom purchases. In these states, not everyone can purchase kratom.
Here are some of the restrictions that are imposed in some states of the USA:
- Arizona: KCPA passed
- California: Banned inside San Diego
- Colorado: Illegal for human consumption in Denver
- Florida: Banned in Sarasota County
- Georgia: KCPA passed
- Illinois: Illegal in the city of Jerseyville; allowed for 18+ in the rest of the state
- Mississippi: Illegal in Union County
- Nevada: KCPA passed
- New Hampshire: Legal for 18+
- Oregon: Legal for 21+
- Tennessee: Legal for 21+
- Utah: KCPA passed
Why is Kratom Illegal in Some Places But Not in Others?
Kratom has a rich history of use in religious ceremonies in Asia. However, science has yet to provide concrete information regarding the use of kratom and whether it’s safe or not.
This unclear status of the use of kratom and whether it holds any medicinal value or not is what makes it difficult for some places to declare it as a legal drug.
FAQs
How old do I have to be to purchase Kratom?
You have to be at least 18 years old to buy kratom products legally.
How do I take kratom?
There are many methods to take kratom. From brewing it as a traditional kratom tea to consuming it in the form of kratom gummies, you can take this adaptable supplement according to your lifestyle and preference.
Is Kratom a vegan product?
Yes, kratom is vegan because it is a plant-based product.
The Bottom Line
Originally harvested in Southeast Asia, kratom has now gained widespread popularity. Its major consumption and sales occur in Europe and the USA.
Do remember to stay hydrated while consuming kratom and buy these products from a trusted vendor.
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