mitragyna speciosa

AKA: The American Kratom Association And Why It Matters

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When you enter the world of Kratom, you’re entering a large and diverse community. There are people from all walks of life and all backgrounds that enjoy using Kratom, and that’s not going to change anytime soon!

Still, the position of Kratom in America is not yet solidified. While there are millions of people that use Kratom regularly, the misconception that Kratom is a dangerous substance still exists in many areas. That rumor has led to a number of media blitzes about the danger of the substance. How can these rumors be put to rest?

Like CBD which was once viewed as dangerous, Kratom needs a champion to lead the way to full legal protection. And that champion is going to be the American Kratom Association.

AKA: American Kratom Association

The American Kratom Association, also known as AKA, is an advocacy group that is working tirelessly to cement the legal and protected status of Kratom in America. From working on grassroots movements to working with state-level politicians to pass protection acts for Kratom users in each state, AKA is doing a lot of work to ensure that Kratom can be used in the USA.

The active leadership that AKA has committed to in the community is essential! They strive to make using Kratom a safe and legal activity in America, and they’ve done amazing work doing just that. Since their work began, they have revolutionized the way that the Kratom industry operates.

The Goals of AKA

According to AKA’s advocacy efforts sheet, their goal is to: “make natural kratom safe and to keep it available for millions of Americans who use it for health and wellness; manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers whose livelihoods depend on a safe and robust market; and for scientific and research communities that are actively exploring its potential.”

Basically, the American Kratom Association wants to ensure that the government is going to continue to allow the sales of safe Kratom while simultaneously holding manufacturers accountable for the products that they are putting into consumer’s hands.

AKA’s Activities

How can the American Kratom Association make these things happen? The organization works with manufacturers, consumers, media, and government politicians to help ensure that the Kratom industry becomes a fair and safe place for consumers and manufacturers alike.

Specifically, AKA works in these areas:

  • • Helps vendor members learn to promote safety properly
  • • Engages with the US government to protect the safety and availability of Kratom
  • • Keeps an eye on all FDA, NIDA, and DEA policies that might incorrectly characterize the status and nature of Kratom
  • • Engages with the media and scientific community to promote accurate and thorough research about Kratom
  • • Shares all gained knowledge with the public
  • • Sponsors the Good Manufacturing Practices Standards Program to help vendors only sell high-quality and well-tested products to Kratom consumers in America
  • • Connects with the FDA about the need to set up a regulatory system for Kratom

As you can see from the list, the American Kratom Association is very active! Not only does their list of desired actions look good on paper, but their list of positive outcome events does, too! AKA has successfully set up its GMP program and also helped a number of policies be passed in states around the country to solidify Kratom’s legal status.

More About The GMP Program

We feel that AKA’s Good Manufacturing Practices Standards Program is one of the most exciting things that they have achieved. While some organizations might not want to report their testing results or to keep up with high-quality testing requirements, we believe that it is important to keep our consumers’ safety in mind while we sell our products.

The GMP program by the American Kratom Association is a set of standards and guidelines for Kratom vendors and manufacturers to be sure that they follow. These expectations help to ensure that all Kratom sold to consumers is safe. 

The GMP program is a voluntary program, but all reputable vendors of Kratom should have no issue joining up with this program. We find that the honesty of a company willing to join and show their test results is a great thing for consumers who need to be able to see this kind of transparency.

Why We Need AKA

Some people might not see the need for an organization like the American Kratom Association. After all, isn’t it up to the FDA and the government to determine what is and what is not safe?

While we agree that government organizations should play a role in deciding what is and what is not safe to use, we know that Kratom has a solid background. Unfortunately, several biased studies and dishonest media reports have tarnished Kratom’s image. Mistakenly linked to the opioid crisis, Kratom is at risk.

But Kratom itself is not an opioid, nor does it carry any of the risks of opioids! Kratom does partially bind to receptors in the body, but it works in very different ways than opioids do and thus should not be linked to the crisis.

Unfortunately, there are some organizations determined to continue to blame Kratom for things that are not true when Kratom is used and made correctly. An organization like AKA, then, is needed to ensure that Kratom consumers will able to continue safely and legally using Kratom.

Vendors Need AKA, Too

We get very frustrated when we see vendors out there that are selling unreliable or mislabeled products to the customers. Without complete regulation in all areas, however, there is nothing stopping vendors from being dishonest in their sales tactics.

For that reason, we believe that AKA is beneficial to vendors like us as well. Honest vendors should have no problem subscribing to what AKA is trying to do, and we believe that you should only shop from vendors that are going to put your safety first.

As you shop around for your next Kratom purchase, find out if the vendors that you are buying from are part of the GMP program. If they are not, you may want to reconsider where you are going to buy from unless you have some other proof of their safety practices.

How To Start Making Your Own Kratom Tea: Step-by-Step Guide

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There are a lot of different ways to consume kratom. No one way is more right than the other ways, but it is important that you know what method you are using and how to do it properly if you want to have the best effects.

Kratom users frequently turn kratom into a tea to consume it. This method has a lot of benefits, and many find that it is one of the most efficient ways to enjoy kratom. When you’re first trying kratom, there’s a good chance that this is the preparation method people will recommend to you!

Today’s step-by-step guide about how to brew kratom tea will get you started on the process. Once you’ve learned the basics, you’ll be able to work in your own personalizations to suit your needs, tastes, and skills.

The Teapot Method

The first way that we will talk about making kratom tea is via the teapot method. Like other tea products, kratom tea is essentially made by mixing the powder or leaves with hot water. Kratom tea can thus be made with a teapot just like any other tea!

We recommend using this method whenever you want to use the tea immediately. If you want to make a large batch of tea to save for a few days, you will want to skip ahead to the batch method right away. Otherwise, stick around!

All that you need to make kratom via the teapot method is a teapot, water, kratom leaves or powder, and some type of strainer. You can use either tea bags or a mesh strainer; both work perfectly well.

The Process

Measure out your kratom serving. Serving size is going to depend on you and the variety, so pay attention to the recommended serving size and start there. Put the kratom into the mesh strainer or tea bags that you have prepared. Users making tea from powder will get better results from a tea bag while leaves work best in a strainer.

Now, start boiling your tea water in a teapot. Once it has boiled, take the teapot off the heat and let the water cool for a little while. 

Once the water has cooled, put your tea bag or strainer into a mug and add water. Depending on the particular strain of kratom that you are using, you will want to let it strain for between five and twenty minutes.

The Pot Method

If you’re more interested in making large batches of kratom or just don’t own a teapot at this time, don’t worry! The pot method of making kratom tea will also work very well, and you can store any extra product in the refrigerator for up to five days to enjoy at a later time. 

For this method, you’ll need a pot, water, kratom powder, and some type of strainer. We find that a small mesh strainer is great for kratom leaves while cheesecloth is the best option when you want to use kratom powder to brew your kratom tea.

The Process

First, add the desired amount of water to your pot and bring it to a boil. The amount of water used will depend on how much tea you are making, and you will need to calculate this based on your preferred serving size.

After the water comes to a boil, let it cool down for at least three minutes so that the water doesn’t deactivate the kratom. Then, add your kratom leaves or kratom powder to the water. Allow the water to keep simmering for up to 20 minutes to create your tea.

Once you are finished simmering, you can remove the tea leaves using a mesh strainer. If you used kratom powder, a cheesecloth is going to be much more effective than a mesh strainer. Alternatively, you can let the powder settle and then pour the liquid off the top to keep the powdery sludge out of your tea.

Drinking Your Tea

Once you’ve completed the steps of either of those tea brewing methods, you’ll have your kratom tea ready to go! You can add sweeteners like sugar or honey to your tea, and many kratom users like to add citrus notes like lemon or orange to help improve the flavor.

Regardless of what you add to your tea to make it taste good, it’s important that we note that kratom tea is unlikely to be enjoyed as a sipping tea. It’s the kind of tea drink that you chug for the benefits; don’t try to sip it!

If you want to try kratom tea as an iced variety, simply pour the tea over ice once it is done brewing. Alternatively, store the prepared tea in the refrigerator overnight so that you can enjoy it the next day.

Bonus Tips

As you start experimenting with brewing your own kratom tea, you’ll want to keep some of our favorite tips in mind. These tips will help you to move through the different options that kratom offers with ease and without ruining the botanical benefits.

Tip #1: Avoid Boiling Water

The first thing that you need to know is that the alkaloids in kratom are what makes it effective, and those alkaloids can be ruined by boiling water. Adding kratom powder or leaves to water that is at a rolling boil is going to make it much less effective.

Always let the hot water cool down for a minimum of two minutes before you add any kratom to it. This helps reduce any potential damage that the hot water causes.

Tip #2: Don’t Keep It Too Long

Kratom tea can be stored in the refrigerator for up to five days without any significant quality loss, but you won’t want to try keeping kratom tea in there for eight, nine, or even 10 days and then expect it to still taste great. Plan for small, five-day batches.

Tip #3: Citrus Juice Boost

Studies are still being done to confirm why this happens, but many kratom users report that mixing citrus juice to kratom tea helps to boost the efficiency of the kratom alkaloids because it prevents them from breaking down during the brewing process. Try adding lemon slices to your tea while it is brewing.

Tip #4: Brew Time

If you find the taste of your kratom tea to be too powerful, try brewing for a shorter amount of time. If you find that you need the flavor to be stronger, up the brew time instead. By making these small adjustments, you’ll be able to find the perfect brew time for your body.

Kratom Strains, Colors, and More: A Phyto Guide

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So you’ve dipped your toes in the proverbial kratom pond. You’ve looked around; you’ve decided to give kratom a try. But you’re suddenly being bombarded with dozens of different varieties, names, and words that you don’t really understand.

Where do you go from here?

All that you need is a simple, straightforward guide to the strains and colors of kratom and what they should mean to you. We’ve got you covered! Today, we’re putting together that very guide so that all kratom users, new and experienced, can gain the most complete understanding of what they’re looking at when browsing kratom.

Why Are There Different Kratom Varieties?

Those new to kratom might be wondering how it is that one plant can come in different varieties when it reaches the market. The difference lies in the growth and methodology, not so much in the plant itself.

When kratom leaves are harvested, they then need to be dried, blended, and then packaged as they will be sold. Depending on where the tree grew and how the conditions were, the exact makeup of the plant will differ.

Then, the drying method will change the final chemical composition of the leaves. The final product depends completely on what type of process the leaf went through when it was grown to when it was dried after harvesting. All of the differences of kratom varieties come about during these parts of the process!

How Kratom Colors Are Classified

When you browse kratom varieties, you’ll likely see that kratom is usually divided by Red, Green, and White varieties. There are a few specialty colors that might pop up from time to time like Gold or Yellow, but most will be Red, Green, or White.

Over the years, there has been some dissent within the kratom community about what the meaning of these colors truly is in the industry. Is it a marketing effort? Is it based on the color of the leaves? Or is it something else?

In our opinion, it’s a bit of all of them! Certain leaves have colored veins, which lead them to be a specific variety, and the marketing component can’t be overlooked either.

Drying Matters Most!

Ultimately, however, the color of kratom often has a lot to do with the way that it was dried! Green leaves are usually dried indoors for 80% of their drying time while whites are dried inside in the dark. Red leaves are given more sun exposure via outdoor drying or UV lighting, depending on the variety.

Often, the variation between red and white kratom will be more simply explained as red being more “mature” and white being “younger.” In terms of overall light and sun exposure, this is true, but the terminology can be quite confusing. 

The only way to be absolutely sure about what the color terminology means in regards to your kratom is to ask the supplier or vendor that you are purchasing from. They will be able to give you the most accurate information about what you should expect from the kratom.

All About Kratom Strains

In addition to seeing a lot of different color words used when marketing kratom, you are likely to have also seen a lot of different strain names such as Maeng Da Thai or Red Bali. What are these strain names, and how are they decided?

Today, we’ll attempt to unravel some of the confusion that exists about strain names and their origins.

Strain Names: What Do They Mean?

There are a lot of specific strain names that are well-used and well-known:

  • • Red Bali
  • • Maeng Da
  • • Borneo
  • • Super Green Malaysian
  • • … and more!

All of these names seem to have specific meanings, but do the kratom varieties truly align with their names?

Yes and no.

Originally, kratom sellers would create the names for their kratom based on where it came from or what experience it would give you. Bali kratom, for example, may have originally been grown solely in Bali, but now the name may refer to the strain’s lineage (where the seeds came from), or even to different strains that have comparable alkaloid profiles.

Many of the origins of kratom strain names have similar stories. Some names, like Borneo kratom, were originally given to the strain because the kratom was grown there. Now, however, the name doesn’t always indicate where the particular leaves were harvested.

Instead, the name indicates the specific style, content, and processing method that the kratom was created with. 

What To Expect From Specific Strains

As mentioned above, kratom strain names might not always match up with the location that the kratom originates from, but the stain names do consistently describe specific attributes of the kratom itself.

Red Bali kratom, for example, is known for its high alkaloid content, but it tends to be grown in Sumatra because of the more consistent growing conditions. 

Thus, the strain names are assigned to kratom based on:

  • • The conditions the trees were grown in
  • • The alkaloid content
  • • The drying method
  • • The processing

These four factors are what makes up a specific strain of kratom, and you can expect different effects from the kratom supplement depending on how exactly it falls into these four categories.

Are New And Unique Strains Trustworthy?

Now that you know more about how the strains are named and what the colors mean, you might be wondering if you can trust a strain like a Platinum Maeng Da Thai or Gold Malaysian blend. Do these blends fit the pattern, and what would they be like?

Our belief is that as long as you make your purchase from reputable vendors, you can give any strain a chance! Reliable vendors will explain the strain and its attributes in their product descriptions, so use that info to get an idea of what to expect when you try something new.

Improving Kratom’s Future

As you can see, understanding what to expect from kratom when the names are so confusing and seemingly randomly assigned can be overwhelming. We support organizations such as the American Kratom Association that are pushing for more clarity in the kratom industry because it would better inform and protect consumers like you.

Among other things, we believe that GMP compliant processing, testing, and marketing is going to be a requirement in the future. Until then, we will do our best to ensure that you can get a clear understanding of our products! As always, feel free to contact us with any questions that you might have.

How To Make Your Kratom Storage Effective & Efficient!

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If you want your kratom to be as effective as possible, you need to be sure that you are storing it properly. Most of the reported benefits of kratom are caused by the chemical composition of the powders and leaves. When they are not stored properly, the quality can degrade causing you to lose out on some of the benefits.

Rather than risk this, you should put a little bit of thought into how you are going to store the kratom that you aren’t currently using or that you will have on hand for more than just a day or two. Today, we’ll help you figure out how to do just that.

Why Does Kratom Need To Be Stored In A Special Way?

Kratom tea leaves and powders can easily degrade in quality if they are not stored properly. Overexposure to sunlight, fluctuating temperatures, and other accidental storage mishaps can all lead to a lower quality kratom when you finally get around to using it.

Tea and coffee have similar problems! They are not meant to be stored unless they are in airtight containers and kept away from direct sunlight as these can cause the breakdown of the chemicals that create their effects and flavors!

For those reasons, it’s important to learn how to properly store kratom in your home.

Overall Storage Tips

The following tips apply to all kratom. Whether you’ll be using it tomorrow, in a week, or in a month, you will want to ensure that you’re keeping all of the following in mind when figuring out where and how to store the kratom.

#1: Prevent Temperature Fluctuations

One of the most important things to do is to make sure that you are preventing temperature fluctuations wherever you decide to store the kratom. If the kitchen in your house ranges from very hot to very cold throughout the day, you won’t want to keep your kratom in any cupboard there.

Generally, it’s best to put the kratom in the coolest part of your house. This does not mean that you need to refrigerate or freeze it, but tucking it into a dark cabinet or a basement area is a great way to ensure that the temperature is more consistent.

#2: Stay Away From Sunlight

When kratom is exposed to UV rays, the chemical compounds in the substance itself will start to break down. This means that when you finally get around to using that kratom, it will not be as powerful or as effective as it originally was.

It’s good to keep kratom out of direct sunlight when storing it. Cupboards, drawers, cabinets, and closets are all good options when choosing storage. It can see some sunlight, but you want to make sure that direct sun won’t be hitting the kratom all day long.

#3: Go For An Air-Tight Seal

It is possible for kratom to get stale. Exposure to excessive oxygen can overly oxidize the kratom, and this leads to stale and less effective kratom. While you might not know that this happened, you’ll actually be using something less powerful!

It’s a good idea to put kratom into some type of vacuum-sealed bag for long-term storage if possible. For short term storage, using a sandwich bag is fine as long as you try to get as much air out of the bag as possible when sealing. You can also use glass or plastic containers, but these are best for short term storage as well.

#4: Avoid Powerful Smells

Storing kratom in the refrigerator can be a good option if there isn’t another temperature-stable option in your house, but there are a few considerations that you need to keep in mind. One big problem can be the smells in the refrigerator.

If the kratom is not kept in a truly airtight container in a refrigerator with many smelly foods like onions and garlic inside, you might end up with kratom leaves that taste faintly of onion! This will not improve the flavor of your final kratom product, so you will want to be careful to cut this risk down as much as possible.

#5: Keep It Dry!

If your powder, leaves, or capsules get wet, they’re going to get soggy. They might even get moldy if they are left to sit in water or too much water continues to condense in your storage container! Kratom needs to stay dry while it is in storage or you will be faced with a lot of problems.

Use an airtight container, especially if you are going to be storing the kratom in the fridge. If your fridge is very humid and causes a lot of condensation inside of it, you will want to rethink where you are storing the kratom as interior condensation isn’t going to be good for your kratom supply.

Different Uses, Different Storage

Depending on how you plan to use your kratom, there are different ways that it can be stored. The various storage methods each work best for varying preparations, so you will want to keep that in mind as you set up your storage supply organization.

Daily Use:

Kratom that is going to be used daily should be fine in any cupboard that is out of direct sunlight as long as it is kept in an airtight container. Additionally, be sure the storage location is a dry one.

Kratom For Later:

Do you like to buy kratom in bulk or keep a few different varieties on hand at a time? If so, you’ll want to set up a larger backstock area. To make this method efficient, split larger supplies or kratom into smaller bags of a few days’ supplies.

Then, put all of these bags into a larger bag. Make sure as much air as possible is removed from every bag. If you have a vacuum sealer, this is a great time to use it! When you’re ready to use the Kratom, you can just grab one small supply bag.

Kratom Tea:

If you like to make kratom tea in bulk, you can store it in the refrigerator for five to seven days without losing too much quality. After that, the tea won’t be nearly as effective, and it will probably start to taste a bit off as well. Be sure to keep kratom tea in a sealed, airtight container in the back area of your refrigerator.

What is Kratom? All About Mitragyna Speciosa

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Have you been hearing about a new product called kratom and have no idea what it is? Wondering why so many people seem to be enthralled by this unique product and all that it is has to offer?

Don’t worry; you’re not the only one! Despite the surge of popularity that kratom has seen in recent years, it is still a relatively unknown substance when you look at the entire population. Many people assume that it is something illegal or dangerous, but they would be wrong in doing so.

Today, we’ll be introducing kratom in more detail so that you can get a clear answer about what it is, what it isn’t, and what you should know about this unique botanical. Let’s get started!

Defining Kratom

The first thing that you need to know is what kratom is! Kratom is a plant. Specifically, it is a tree that is native to southern Asia where warm and wet climates help this deciduous tree grow big and strong. There are huge forests of kratom trees in Borneo, Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Thailand, and other neighboring regions as well.

Kratom is one of the largest tropical trees; it can tower to heights of over 70 feet when the conditions are optimal. People that are trying kratom, however, are more interested in what kratom has to offer them and not as interested in how tall it can grow!

What’s So Special About The Kratom Tree?

If it’s not the height of the Kratom tree that makes it interesting, what is it that people find attractive about this plant?

Kratom is a kind of tree that is part of the coffee family, and its Latin name is Mitragyna speciosa. There are about seven different trees in this species, but kratom is the most well-known variety. Kratom trees and similar varieties contain what are known as mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine.

Both of these compounds are types of alkaloids, and alkaloids are substances that can have effects on your body. Common alkaloids include the caffeine in coffee or tea and the quinine in tonic water.

In short, kratom tree leaves contain special plant compounds that interact with your body when consumed!

Why Do People Take Kratom?

Before we get too much deeper into the history of kratom and how it is used, let’s talk about why people are taking it. Does anyone you know use kratom? Have they told you why they are using it?

If you’ve only heard about kratom in passing, you might not yet have a good idea of why there are people that use this botanical daily, if not more frequently. 

Most kratom consumers are using this plant because they feel that it helps improve their quality of life and makes their days better. They may have specific issues they hope to address, and different people use kratom for a wide variety of different reasons.

The American Kratom Association has estimated that perhaps 10-15 million people in the United States use kratom every week!

The History of Kratom

Kratom has been used in the areas where it is native for hundreds of years, if not longer. The tree has many traditional and medicinal uses in the areas where it is native, and the local cultures have found ways to incorporate it into their belief systems and rituals for a long time.

Most commonly, Southeast Asian cultures have used kratom leaves in the following ways:

  • • Brewed as a tea
  • • Chewed on the leaves

Today, the kratom leaves are still used in these ways, but it’s more common to see the international populations that are using kratom to grind it into a fine powder before consuming the leaves instead of using the more traditional consumption methods.

Consuming Kratom Today

How do people use the kratom once it is ground into a fine powder? There are a lot of different ways that the kratom can then be consumed, but we’ll briefly introduce the most common methods.

Some people create Kratom tea from the powder; others put the powder into capsules and take it directly. You can even make a tincture with the powder to try a different intake method. Ultimately, the best method for you is going to depend on your taste and your needs, so you will want to try out a few different methods to get it right for you and your body.

The Legal Issue of Kratom

We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention one big aspect of kratom: its pending legal status. At the time of writing, kratom is still fully legal in most states, though there are some states that are considering restrictions on its use. If you search kratom online, you might even find some articles about the supposed dangers of kratom.

At the same time, you may also know that some states have passed a law that protects both kratom consumers and the kratom industry, requiring reasonable regulation on all kratom products. Look for more states to pass the Kratom Consumer Protection Act in the upcoming legislative session.

Unfortunately, there hasn’t been enough research done about kratom yet, so there are a lot of incorrect or misrepresented stories about kratom out there. Most of the situations covered in these stories were caused by misuse of kratom or by vendors that were selling impure kratom. 

Our Stance on Kratom

Here at Phytoextractum, we ensure that all of the products we sell are of the highest quality. We believe it is very important that vendors are held responsible for the quality of their products, and that is why we support the ongoing efforts by the American Kratom Association to encourage all vendors to follow Good Manufacturing Procedures.

We believe that Kratom can be a completely safe and productive botanical as long as it is used, managed, and created responsibly. It is our hope to be able to provide only high-quality and lab tested products to you!

Is It Time To Try?

Now that you know a little bit more about kratom, are you interested in giving it a try?

If so, we welcome you to take a look at the different strains, colors, and consumption styles of kratom we have available here at Phytoextractum! If you have any additional questions or concerns about kratom, check out our resources or message us to get more information. We hope that we can help you explore the world of kratom with ease!

The Trouble With Kratom: What We Can’t Tell You

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There are many who enjoy kratom on a regular basis but don’t know much about how it actually works. There are others who are curious about trying kratom for the first time, but they can’t find enough reliable information online to really feel confident using it. Why is it that this uncertainty exists around the subject of kratom?

Unfortunately, legality is a big part of why sellers like us cannot say more about kratom when we are marketing our products. While we know a lot about this botanical, how it works, and what it could do for you, we could be breaking the law if we weren’t careful about how we describe and market our product.

Understanding why things are set up like this can be confusing, but the situation doesn’t have to stay like this forever! That’s right; it is possible for this situation to change if the right types of time, money, and effort are put into the world.

Today, we’ll be sharing what we know about the rules that prevent kratom companies like us from discussing certain topics with consumers. Then, we’ll let you know what YOU can do to help this problem improve in the future of the kratom industry.

How The FDA Regulates “Claims” Marketing

There are tons of different rules and regulations that the Food and Drug Administration uses to help protect consumers in America from mislabeled or otherwise dangerous products. Like any other seller on the market, we are liable to follow these regulations. 

Generally speaking, the FDA recognizes two types of claims:

  • • Health claims
  • • Structure/function claims

What Are Health Claims?

Health claims are a type of claim that specifically links a substance to a disease or health-related condition. Health claims can only be used for drugs that have been approved by the FDA to treat diseases. 

In this type of claim, the product is marketed as a specific solution to a problem. For example, allergy eye drops are specifically formulated to contain some ingredients which soothe itchy eyes and are marketed as such. This would fall into the category of a health claim, and the claim would need to be pre-approved by the FDA before any marketing begins.

Saying that eating carrots helps maintain your sense of sight, however, would not be considered a health claim because it is not targeting a specific health condition. This is considered a structure/function claim.

What Are Structure/Function Claims?

The other type of claims that the FDA deals with frequently are the structure/function claims. These claims are more general and talk about how nutrients and ingredients can change or affects the body’s functions.

For example, saying that vitamin A helps improve vision is a structure/function claim.

These types of claims can be added to supplements in the US without any FDA pre-approval, but the information must be passed to the FDA within 30 days. Additionally, you must have substantial evidence to support your claim. Finally, disclaimers must be added to all packaging to let customers know that the FDA did not review the claims.

The Trouble With Kratom

Now that you have a little bit of background knowledge about how the FDA deals with drug and supplement related approvals, let’s talk about the trouble with kratom.

Kratom is not an FDA-approved drug, therefore it cannot use any health claims. What’s tricky is that the FDA also does not consider kratom to be a supplement, therefore structure/function claims are off limits too.

Vendors typically sell kratom as a dietary ingredient, a supplement, or a food, though the specific classification has changed over time and will likely continue to change into the future.

Health & Structure/Function Claims Do Not Apply

While you can use health claims or structure/function claims to market some drugs and supplements, the same cannot be said about kratom.

In the case of health claims, there is no FDA-supported evidence that kratom has any positive effects at this time. For that reason, the FDA will not pre-approve any statements about kratom to be used as health claims. 

In the case of kratom, structure/function claims are also prohibited. While the base compound found in kratom (mitragynine) has been shown to have effects on the body, there is not yet a solid baseline measurement for the body’s natural level. This means that comparing the function of kratom to the body’s normal function is impossible.

And for that reason, we as vendors become severely limited in what we can and cannot say about kratom!

Why We Think This Needs To Be Changed

Ideally, the day will come when we can legally describe the effects that kratom may have, like many other botanicals currently marketed as supplements. Unfortunately, there are a lot of barriers to making this happen.

Many vendors have lied, sold dangerous product, or otherwise caused problems within the kratom community over the years. Due to their irresponsibility, reliable vendors like us have to suffer from the negative perception that both members of the general public and the FDA have about kratom.

If the perception of kratom never changes, the bad vendors will never be held accountable, and consumers will be continually put at risk of buying a poorly made, unregulated product.

You Can Be The Change

While there are vendors like us and organizations like the American Kratom Association fighting for our rights to use kratom safely and freely, we can’t do it alone. To truly have an impact on how the kratom industry grows and changes in the future, we need all kratom lovers to join us in pushing back against negative perception.

There are a number of things that we would love for you to do to help us save the future of Kratom from becoming even messier than it already is:

With your help, we can ensure that kratom remains a safe and legal botanical to use as the years go by!