alkaloids

Comparing Natural Products: Kratom & CBD Explained

April 15, 2021 by Phyto

Natural substances derived from plant materials are all the rage these days, and that’s for a good reason. Many chemical compounds found in plants have potent effects on the body, and those effects can be safe and easy to bring about this way.

Two of the most commonly seen plant-derived products are Kratom and CBD products. Each of these offers an impressive array of potential effects, and there is a lot of research being done to see what people might use them for.

Are you curious about these natural remedies and how they might benefit you? Learn more about each of them today!

Understanding CBD: An In-Depth Look

Let’s start by talking about CBD.

CBD quickly became a mainstream substance over the last few years. As medical marijuana and CBD products became legalized in many areas of the country, seeing CBD products became more normal for people everywhere. But what exactly is CBD, and why is it so widely accepted?

What Is CBD Derived From?

Cannabis is a plant more commonly known as marijuana and hemp (both types of cannabis plants, distinguished primarily by the percentage of THC – hemp contains trace amounts, while marijuana can contain high percentages). The most commonly known properties of cannabis are the results of the cannabinoids, like THC, found in the plant matter.

CBD is another one of those cannabinoids. Extracted from the plant itself, CBD is a cannabinoid that has been extensively researched for its positive effects on the human body’s physical and mental conditions.

Studies show that CBD oil and other CBD products may have many benefits. Cannabinoids can be very powerful, and CBD is a great example of that. These uses are well-supported by science, but there’s still a lot to learn about CBD and how it can benefit us.

How Does CBD Work?

CBD has specific reactions in the body because of the way that it is shaped.

Like all cannabinoids, CBD is a specific chemical compound with a particular shape. When it enters the body, CBD reacts with the endocannabinoid system. CBD binds with specific receptors and sets into motion a chain reaction within the body. That reaction eventually causes the effects that CBD is known to have.

While other cannabinoids found in cannabis can make you high, CBD does not have any intoxicating effects. The primary cannabinoid found in marijuana is THC; THC binds with CB1 receptors to cause intoxicating effects. CBD actually prevents THC from binding with CB1 as effectively and can taper off the effects of THC in some strains of cannabis.

Is CBD Legal?

Safety rules and regulations about CBD vary from state to state, but most states have made it legal and protected to use CBD products. This is thanks to the impressive amount of research showing the CBD is a non-psychoactive botanical that has proven positive effects.

As with any product, however, it’s always a good idea to consult with your doctor if you have any health concerns about using it. Additionally, be sure to source your CBD products from a reliable and reputable vendor to reduce any potential risk.

Understanding Kratom: Beyond The Basics

Kratom’s popularity snowballed in the last five years as well, but that popularity is nothing in comparison to CBD’s growing mainstream appeal. Still, there are many exciting things about Kratom getting noticed. We can expect Kratom to continue becoming a more common feature in botanical products.

What Is Kratom?

Mitragyna speciosa, also known as Kratom, is a tropical tree that grows in Thailand, Malaysia, and other Asian or South Pacific areas. Kratom trees grow in large forests in regions where the tropical climate combines with fertile soil for the perfect growing environment. There, these trees soar to great heights, and their leaves are harvested to create great Kratom products.

Kratom leaves are harvested and processed into Kratom products such as Kratom powder and Kratom. A wide variety of strains can be created by altering the harvesting, drying, or processing method. Enthusiasts worldwide have found Kratom to be a hugely beneficial substance that improves their lifestyle.

How Does Kratom Work?

Many plants in the world contain chemical compounds known as alkaloids. Alkaloids have varying effects on the body. It just so happens that the effects caused by mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, both found in Kratom leaves, may have great benefits.

When these compounds enter the body, they bind and react with various receptors in the body. There is no specific set of receptors that they work with; each alkaloid has its own priority system. Caffeine, for example, is an alkaloid that stimulates the body.

Kratom’s alkaloids need to be studied in more detail to understand better what effects they have. Still, early studies suggest very promising results.

Is Kratom Legal?

At this time, Kratom is neither fully legal nor illegal. In fact, Kratom’ status is dependent on what state and locale you are in.

While the FDA continues to ignore studies that suggest Kratom could be beneficial, states around the country have taken a different approach.

Many states have passed the Kratom Consumer Protection Act at the urging of the American Kratom Association and other advocates. These laws set up standards that vendors must follow and ensure consumers can legally buy and consume Kratom. We are working hard to help get this bill passed in our home state of Oregon.

Find It All At Phytoextractum

Whether you’ve found that CBD suits your needs or you are curious about Kratom powders, we carry it all here at Phytoextractum!

From CBD oils and blends to Kratom powders and capsules, you can check out a variety of safe, tested products. We pride ourselves on having a wide array of options for the enthusiast while ensuring that our customers can be safe.

It’s essential to ensure that the vendors you support are doing their part to ensure their products are safe. By having regular third-party testing and putting energy into advocacy as well, we do what we can to create a safe environment for everyone involved.

Understanding Kratom: Kratom Alkaloids Explained

February 26, 2021 by Phyto

Natural substances like Kratom have an effect on the body because of their chemical composition. Kratom itself is made up of many chemical components. When those components are released in the body, they bind and interact with human physiology in different ways.

While only a few Kratom alkaloids are well known even among veteran consumers, Kratom is actually made up of more than 40 alkaloids – and counting! What are these Kratom alkaloids, and what types of effects are they being studied for?

Before you buy Kratom, it’s important to understand as much as you can about the plant. Learning more about these alkaloids can help you better understand the myriad of ways Kratom may be further developed and used. Let’s take a closer look!

What Are Kratom Alkaloids?

Alkaloids are a type of naturally-occurring compounds found in many plants. These compounds contain at least one nitrogen atom. These compounds bind readily with receptors in the human body; they cause physiological effects because of this binding. Common alkaloids include caffeine and morphine. The impacts of alkaloids vary widely.

Kratom is a natural plant, and Kratom leaves have a variety of alkaloids in them. In fact, more than forty different alkaloids have been found in Kratom. Many of these alkaloids have specific physiological effects on the body. Those alkaloids are being studied in more detail to find out what types of benefits might be found.

The specific alkaloid concentration in Kratom leaves can vary from tree to tree, strain to strain. For that reason, additional research of the individual components is even more critical. Once the individual alkaloids are better understood, the potential effects of various alkaloid combinations can be studied in more detail as well.

Kratom Alkaloids Explained

Now that you know what alkaloids are, let’s cover Kratom’s alkaloids and alkaloid composition of this plant in more detail.

What We Know

The alkaloid content of Kratom leaves varies from plant to plant, tree to tree, and location to location. There is no guarantee of the exact breakdown of alkaloids in any Kratom leaf because many things affect the alkaloid composition:

Harvesting time and frequency
Weather patterns
Soil composition
When leaves are harvested
Dry season length
Strain
Geographic location
Age of leaves

As teams studied Kratom leaves in the 1970s and 1980s, they found that the alkaloid concentration varied in many ways. They began to compare samples and found that the above factors, as well as many others, changed what alkaloids were most prevalent in the leaves.

Despite the fact that more than 40 alkaloids have been identified in Kratom leaves, only two of those alkaloids (mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine) are given credit for the effects of Kratom. That’s because they occur in the greatest concentrations. Mitragynine usually makes up around 60% of the alkaloid content of Kratom leaves on average.

As Kratom is studied in more detail in upcoming years, we can expect to find out more about the variances in alkaloids in terms of effects and growth patterns for the Kratom plants.

Meet The Alkaloids

Though more research still needs to be done about these substances, there are some alkaloids that have been studied after being found in Kratom.

Mitragynine

The most prevalent alkaloid in most Kratom leaves, mitragynine, is partially responsible for many of Kratom’s active effects. It has been studied for many common uses, which can be fairly easily researched. As the primary Kratom alkaloid, it is one of the two alkaloids that has its content percentage detailed on Kratom packaging.

7-hydroxymitragynine

The other Kratom alkaloid that is typically acknowledged by Kratom vendors is 7-hydroxymitragynine. While the amount of this alkaloid is substantially smaller than that of mitragynine, it is also a significant player in Kratom’s active effects. It has been studied for its unique effects and receptor binding in particular.

The Phyllines

The naming of alkaloids is typically based on the original plant family that those alkaloids come from. A number of alkaloids found in Kratom are named with the -phylline base. Mitraphylline, isomitraphylline, speciophylline, rhynchophylline, isorhynchophylline, and ciliaphylline are all found in Kratom.

These alkaloids are likely to be studied for their potential beneficial actions, and we hope to learn more soon about how they interact with functions of the human body.

Paynantheine and Speciogynine

After mitragynine, paynantheine and speciogynine make up for the largest percentage of alkaloids in Kratom leaves. These two alkaloids have been compared to similar alkaloids with and it may be assumed that their qualities are similar. It is possible that these alkaloids contribute to some benefits of Kratom, but more research is needed.

Corynoxine A and B

Found in other natural plant products as well, these alkaloids interact with important receptors in the human body. This means that they may affect the binding of body chemicals in some way. These alkaloids, like many others, are found in concentrations of far less than 1% in most leaves.

Why Is It Important To Know About These Alkaloids?

Simply put: we need to put more resources into studying them!

Kratom research has been progressing at a very slow pace for the last few years. Among other reasons, that is because of the complicated laws surrounding the possession, use, and classification of Kratom. Funding Kratom research is difficult whenever there are no laws clearly protecting its status.

As laws become clearer and Kratom earns a more protected status in the US, we can expect to see more research about Kratom and how it can affect the body. In particular, a lot of that research is likely to focus on the individual alkaloids found in Kratom and their effects.

Scientists, in particular, are very interested in Kratom’s potential effects. However, more research needs to be done on Kratom’s alkaloids.

The Future Of Kratom

Kratom as a whole plant and food product will continue to be studied, but we can also expect to see more and more branch-off studies of individual components. Often, it is easier to understand the effects of the broad plant if we studied individual chemical components first.

Mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine are being studied more than other alkaloids at this time, but that is going to change as Kratom becomes more heavily researched. We’re excited to find out what is discovered about this amazing plant.

Kratom Capsules: A Guide From Phyto

April 6, 2020 by Phyto

There are a lot of unique things about kratom, and we love being able to take some time to share these things with you. For instance, did you know that there are dozens of different chemicals that make up kratom leaves, similar to the way that there are dozens of cannabinoids that make up marijuana leaves?

Pretty cool, right?

Another thing that we find awesome about kratom is the consumption methods are very versatile. While many people prefer to make kratom tea and drink it, this is far from the only way that you can consume it. In fact, there are easier ways.

Today we’ll be talking about the arguably easiest way to take kratom: kratom capsules. Are kratom capsules better? That’ll be up to you to decide, but we’ll share what we know about this unique delivery method.

What Are Kratom Capsules?

Kratom capsules are small pills that are filled with kratom powder. These pills can be taken in lieu of a direct serving of kratom or a glass of kratom tea, and many people like them because they’re generally easier to get and use.

How Are Kratom Capsules Made?

Kratom capsules aren’t harvested off of trees; they need to be made! When you decide to try kratom capsules, you’ll have to decide how you want to go about getting them.

Premade Capsules

The first way that you can try them is to buy premade capsules. Many kratom vendors like us sell capsule versions of some of our most popular or most requested strains. These capsules make it easier for consumers that are busy to simply have them.

Make-Your-Own Capsules

If you want to save a little money or make your own kratom blends when you prepare capsules, you can actually make your own kratom capsules at home instead of buying them premade. It is very easy to buy empty capsules in bulk, and they can be bought in different sizes.

At home, you just need to fill them up! You can do this by hand, or you can buy a capsule maker tool. This tool holds the side of the capsule so that you can easily fill it up before closing the capsules off using the tool.

When filling the capsules, you can put in any combination of kratom strains and serving size that you prefer. This personalization option is one of the reasons that a lot of people choose to make their own capsules rather than buy premade ones.

The Pros and Cons of Kratom Capsules

Now that you know a bit more about how kratom capsules are and can be made, let’s talk about what is good and what is not so good about using them. As with every consumption method, there are pros and cons to using kratom capsules. To determine if these are a good choice for you, take a closer look at all of the pros and cons.

Pros

There are quite a few reasons why we think that you might love using kratom capsules. Of course, we know that they aren’t for everyone. Still, we think it is worth considering changing up your kratom routine to include these.

Better Taste

For some people, using kratom capsules is key because it prevents them from having to actually taste the kratom! Kratom tea is great, but it’s undeniable that the flavor can be hard to stomach at times. If you find the taste of kratom off-putting, trying kratom capsules may be a good idea.

Convenient

Another benefit of trying kratom capsules is that you’ll get to experience how convenient they are to use. You can easily take one of these capsules when you’re on the go without any issues. When you only take kratom tea, you need to have that prepared in advance or have the space to prepare it in order to take your serving.

Customized Serving Size & Blends

Kratom capsules allow for a lot of flexibility in your consumption. Not only can you choose exactly how much kratom to add to each capsule if you make them yourself, but you can also mix up the blends that you use.

For example, you can mix up a green Malay strain with a white strain while you are making your capsules so that you can get the perfect balance of the strains that work best for you whenever you take your capsule each day.

May Save Money

Finally, it’s good to know that you might be able to save some money with capsules. While premade capsules can be pricey, making them yourself can save you a lot of money if you buy them in bulk when they’re empty.

Cons

Of course, there are also some potential negatives to trying out kratom capsules. Some people find that taking kratom through a pill is harder on their stomach, causing symptoms like nausea or vomiting. This side effect is likely to be more difficult if you take a large daily serving.

Other people find that making their own capsules is too tedious, and buying them premade is too expensive. If you’ve already figured out a system that works for your time and your budget, don’t feel like you need to change it just to try kratom capsules!

Will Capsules Work For You?

You’ll have to be the one to decide if kratom capsules make sense for your lifestyle. The best way to make this decision is to think about when you like to take kratom, how much kratom you usually take, and if it would be more convenient to use capsules.

Another thing to consider is the time investment. Some people find that making kratom tea is quick and easy while filling capsules is tiring; others feel the opposite of that. Only you can decide how you feel about kratom capsules.

We think kratom capsules are a super unique and efficient way to take your kratom, but you don’t have to use it if you don’t like it! Take some time to test out kratom capsules, and then you can decide what is going to be best for you.

Why We Love Kratom Extracts (And You Might, Too!)

February 26, 2020 by Phyto

As you learn more about the world of kratom and the products offered by different kratom vendors, you’ll eventually come across kratom extracts. As the terminology for products can be confusing at times, you might not initially understand what kratom extracts are or why so many people love them.

In fact, you might be shocked that people gravitate towards something that is, on average, five times more concentrated than traditional kratom.

What is it about kratom extracts that make them so popular? Are kratom extracts going to be a good fit for your life? As one of the original suppliers of high quality extracts, we have a few things to say on the matter. Let’s take a closer look and find out together.

What Are Kratom Extracts?

Before we get into the specific reasons that many kratom users find extracts appealing, let’s clarify exactly what kratom extracts are.

Kratoms extracts are a type of product made from kratom plant leaves or powder. They are a more concentrated form of the powder, and they tend to contain some of the highest levels of alkaloids when comparing different kratom products.

Extracts are made by soaking the plant matter in a solvent such as water, CO2, or ethanol, and then the solvent is dehydrated. This concentrated material can then be mixed with a base power for a higher concentration or used on its own.

Extracts are available as both powders and liquids as well as in different strains and concentrations depending on what vendor you buy from.

Kratom Extracts Are Concentrated

One reason that some people gravitate towards using kratom extracts rather than traditional teas or powders is that they have a higher concentration of alkaloids. This means that generally speaking, you would try a smaller serving of kratom extract than you would of standard kratom powder.

Has kratom ever made you feel nauseous? Have you ever gotten annoyed by the amount of tea that you needed to make to take your usual serving size?

If so, kratom extracts might be just what you need to make your life a little bit more simple. Kratom extracts can often be taken in smaller serving sizes with the same effects.

You will need to do a little bit of trial-and-error to get the amount right as there is no way to directly correlate extracts with other substances, but the overall consensus is that extracts are used in smaller quantities.

Make sure that you take your first serving much smaller than is recommended or than you usually take; the amount can always be increased over time.

Extracts Help Rotation

Did you know that regularly rotating your serving size and which strains of kratom you are taking can help to prevent any sort of tolerance from building up to the alkaloids in kratom? The best way to use kratom long-term is to rotate between different options, and adding extracts into the mix makes this easy.

Replace your usual kratom with a smaller serving of an extract for a week or two and then switch back; by changing up the amounts you take, your body will not be able to create a steady reliance on either.

Extracts Could Save You Money

There is a chance that switching to kratom extracts rather than using standard kratom powders could save you some money, but the only way to be sure about this is to do some math!

Kratom extracts are generally more expensive than standard powders. Extracts have a longer manufacturing process and use more raw material to be created, so this difference in price makes sense. The final product, too, is different.

Depending on how much less kratom extract you use in comparison to kratom powder, it might be more affordable for you to buy extracts. If you’re using substantially less product, switching to the more expensive product could still be cost-effective.

Extracts Variety

While kratom powders are already available in a wide variety of strains and colors, extracts mix up the type of variety by being available in different concentrations as well. For some strains, you might be able to try a 3x, 5x, or 10x concentration of the product depending on the level of concentration that was achieved.

As you explore different products in the world of kratom to find out what works best for your mind and body, having all of these different products available is very helpful. There are more options to consider, and you won’t have to settle for something that is just OK.

Instead, consider the wide variety of options available, and discover which serving might be right for you.

Liquid Extracts Change Everything

As mentioned, kratom extracts are available both as powders and liquids. Liquids are one of the coolest kratom creations ever, and they’re so convenient to use that you might be shocked. You should expect these liquids to be concentrated.

Liquid extracts can be added into any beverage with ease:

Tea
Coffee
Smoothies
Juice

Or, you can choose to just take the liquid directly from the dropper! The convenience of a liquid kratom product is not hard to miss considering that adding the liquid to a tastier treat can even help to mask the sometimes off-putting flavor of kratom.

Another convenient on-the-go option available for kratom are capsules. Capsules can be made from different strength kratom extract powders, and they can be taken like any other kratom capsule. You could even try making your own capsules at home to save money rather than ordering pre-made options!

Conclusion

Remember that kratom extracts are just one way that you could try kratom; don’t feel like these are the only option! Extracts are a highly-concentrated form of kratom powder that is ideal for experienced kratom users or those that want to be able to take smaller serving sizes.

That does not mean that these concentrated powders and liquids will be a good fit for everyone!

If you find that extracts are too much for you or your stomach, don’t worry. You don’t have an obligation to love extracts even if there are lots of great products in our catalog for you to choose from. Shop around more traditional kratom products instead, and you’re sure to find a good fit for you.

The Curiosity of Kratom Skin Care Products: Are They Worth It?

February 12, 2020 by Phyto

There are a lot of herbal products well-known for the power they can infuse into skincare products. Kratom, however, is not typically listed on these lists. Most people have probably never considered that something as out-of-this-world and specific as kratom skincare products even exists!

Kratom skincare products are limited in number, but there are a few interesting categories that are worth learning more about. The problem with these products so far is that not very many people use them, so it is hard to know exactly what they are like and how well they work when used long-term.

So you end up being left with questions: Do these products work, and can they work for you? Let’s do a deep dive into the products to find out more.

Kratom Soap

One type of product that you might come across when shopping for kratom products is a kratom soap. Users of this type of product have had a few positive things to say about their experiences:

• Fewer dry skin patches
• Fewer itchy skin patches
• More even skin tone

Of course, all of these experiences are anecdotal and could be related to the soap makeup and not the kratom itself. Regardless, a good product is a good product! Handmade soaps and those made by smaller companies tend to use fewer chemicals and gentler products.

It is thought that kratom might help to relieve itchy, patchy skin areas because of some specific sugars that are found in the powder. The sugar is known as rhamnose. On its own, rhamnose has been shown to help our body fight signs of aging, so it is possible that kratom may be able to fight signs of aging as well.

There are a few effects that people using kratom soap noticed that are more likely to be related to kratom than to the other soap ingredients. In particular, people mentioned that their muscle aches caused by fatigue decreased in frequency.

Other Kratom Skincare Products

Soap is not the only product that can be made with kratom. In fact, there’s a fairly wide range of products that you can find at different shops right now. Some of the most popular options include:

• Sugar scrub
• Lip balms
• Lotions
• Toners
• Face wash

If there’s a type of skincare product that you want to try with kratom in it, go ahead and search for it. You’ll be surprised at how many different things that you are able to find already on the market!

Make Your Own Kratom Beauty Products

Another way that you can give kratom beauty products a try without investing much more money is to make your own! Kratom can easily be infused into nearly any type of product as long as you know to properly combine the ingredients.

For instance, you can make soap by simply taking any soap recipe and then adding ⅓ cup of kratom powder to the recipe. Then, experiment until you get the perfect combination! Sugar scrubs are another great option to try to make yourself as the slight grittiness of the kratom powder will act as an additional exfoliant.

In most cases, the best way to mix kratom into your favorite skincare products would be to turn it into an oil infusion or a tincture before mixing it in. Kratom molecules are too big to penetrate the skin, so creating an infused liquid that takes on kratom’s alkaloid properties is like making a batch of kratom tea for your skin. Your body can absorb it better this way.

The Science of Skincare

While there is a lot of anecdotal evidence that kratom skincare is powerful and effective, there isn’t a lot of science out there to support that just yet. We know that kratom has specific effects on the body whenever it is ingested via a powder, tea, or another form. This is because the alkaloids interact with specific parts of your body.

Skincare products, on the other hand, would never be digested. Even if they are absorbed through the skin, the products won’t make it into your body the same way that kratom you drink or eat does.

That isn’t to say that there is absolutely no evidence that kratom might have positive topical effects. In fact, there’s a number of interesting research studies on that very topic:

• This study suggests that kratom might have topical benefits.
• This article has shown that kratom has been traditionally used as a skincare agent in Malay people. There is evidence that traditional Thai medicine also teaches a number of topical uses for kratom.

What’s still not fully known today is how kratom interacts with the body when applied to it. More research needs to be done to confirm the anecdotal. For now, however, we’re satisfied to believe that kratom skincare can make a difference whenever you choose the right product!

What We Think Is Happening

It is not yet known if the major chemical alkaloids found in kratom can penetrate the skin or cause any type of positive skin effect. The benefits seen could be caused by mitragynine and 7-hydroxy-mitragynine, or they could be caused by any of the other smaller compounds and alkaloids that are unique to kratom.

Ultimately, we think that the terpenes, alkaloids, and flavonoids found in kratom are definitely able to create some skincare benefits. The exact benefits, however, are something that you will have to wait a bit longer to find out!

Where to Buy Kratom Skincare Products

As with any kratom-based product, it is important that you take the time to make sure that you are buying from a reputable seller. Kratom is a safe product when harvested, packaged, and processed properly, but not every vendor is going to follow the rules as they should.

Do some basic research before you buy anything from kratom vendors:

• What are their testing policies?
• Do they provide any educational information?
• Do they support kratom regulation initiatives?

By finding out more about how each vendor imports and sells their kratom, you’ll be able to get a better picture of whether or not they are a good choice for you.

Kratom’s Evolving Legal Status

December 17, 2019 by Phyto

Please note: The information provided in this post does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; rather, all information and content referenced in this post are for general informational purposes only. This post may not contain the most up-to-date legal or other information. We encourage you to do your own thorough research to verify information and to check your local laws and regulations if you have questions about kratom’s legality in your area.

Local, federal, and international laws pertaining to kratom are constantly evolving. Here in the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has put forth a great deal of misinformation in an effort to ban the plant, while organizations like the American Kratom Association (AKA), along with consumers, scientists, and other advocates work hard to ensure safe and legal access to this important botanical.

Laws change regularly, but we’ve gathered the most recent information about kratom’s legal status so you can educate yourself and advocate for kratom.

Is Kratom Legal Where I Live?

As of 2020, six states have banned kratom by listing it as a controlled substance. Kratom cannot be consumed, sold, or grown in these states. A few localities – cities and counties – have also made kratom illegal. Because new laws are enacted each year, it’s helpful to use the AKA’s resources to keep track of kratom’s legal status in your state.

Please refer to the below map for a quick visual guide to where Kratom is legal in the United States.

States Where Kratom Is Banned:

Alabama
Arkansas
Indiana
Rhode Island
Vermont
Wisconsin

Localities Where Kratom Is Banned:

Jerseyville, Illinois; San Diego, California; Sarasota County, Florida; Union County, Mississippi; Denver, Colorado (not illegal, but “not for human consumption”)

States with the Kratom Consumer Protection Act (KCPA):

Arizona, Georgia, Nevada, Utah

States with Age Restrictions:

New Hampshire: 18 and older; Tennessee: 21 and older; all states with KCPA

The American Kratom Association is currently working in over a dozen states to further enact the KCPA. This legislation would ensure both consumer safety and the legality of the kratom industry in states where it passes. Phyto wholeheartedly supports these efforts and is proud to work with the AKA to keep kratom legal.

Kratom Around the World: Is It Legal in My Country?

It is sometimes difficult to figure out kratom’s legal status in other countries because laws change on a regular basis. We try to stay current on international law, but we do not ship kratom internationally because of uncertainty around its status in some areas.

It’s always a good idea to do your own research before traveling abroad; look into local laws where you’re going, or check Reddit for answers to your international kratom questions.

Africa:
It’s not easy to find information about kratom’s legal status in Africa. We have learned that it is legal in South Africa but not widely used or even known.

Americas:
Canada’s laws are similar to Denver’s (above), where kratom is “not for human consumption.” You may find kratom described as plant matter, incense, or other vague terms. Kratom is legal in North and Central Latin America, as well as in South America. It’s not illegal in these places, but it’s also not very popular or easy to find.

Asia:
Kratom is banned in Israel, Japan, Myanmar, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, and Vietnam. It is legal in Hong Kong, but information kratom in China is limited.

In Thailand, kratom had been illegal since 1943, but this has recently changed. This month, the Thai government removed both kratom and cannabis from the country’s list of controlled substances, stating that these botanicals did not meet the World Health Organization’s criteria for narcotics.

Indonesia, where much of the kratom in the west is grown, is currently considering a ban on kratom exports. The American Kratom Association is working to educate the Indonesian government in an effort to impact this potential ban.

Europe:
Kratom is illegal across the board in Denmark, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Russia and Sweden. Due to changing laws, you should check local legislation for information about Ireland, Italy, and United Kingdom.

Oceania: Australia & New Zealand
Kratom is completely banned in Australia. It is a Schedule 1 substance in New Zealand, so it’s basically illegal. In some localities it may be prescribed by a doctor.

How You Can Help

We’ve seen some exciting developments internationally, and we are eager to continue the kratom conversation on a world-wide scale. While there is some concern that Indonesia may implement a ban on kratom exports, there’s also great news in Thailand removing kratom from its list of banned substances.

Here in the US, we should always be ready to educate and advocate for kratom, especially as legislative sessions get going in early 2020. AKA has a solid plan in place to keep kratom legal on both the state and federal levels, and we support their work as much as possible.

Visit the AKA’s website to learn more about how you can get involved with advocacy efforts for our favorite botanical!

PHYTOEXTRACTUM