mitragyna speciosa

Kratom Products Labels: What They Mean And Why They Matter

by

Have you ever taken the time to read the product label on the last batch of kratom that you bought? Do you know what type of information you should see on that type of label? Or are you completely unsure about what it says on the package other than the company and product name?

If you’ve ever taken the time to look at a kratom label, the chances are pretty high that you haven’t found much information there. Due to a lack of regulation in the industry, there isn’t a lot of incentive for companies to include a lot of information.

Here at Phytoextractum, we find that to be incredibly frustrating. What is a consumer supposed to do if they can’t get any information from the label? Are people expected to know everything about a product before they buy it?

Let’s take a look at the complicated world of kratom product labels and what we hope to see happen in the future.

Creating a Brand

The first reason that we’re used to seeing labels on products is to let you know who made it. Brands are eager to put their names and logos on everything that they put into the world because they know that indirect marketing like this can bring them more business in the long run.

Consumers who have used their products before are more likely to recognize their name and logo if they saw it on the packaging, and that recognition can lead them to buy again. That’s why companies put so much time and money into choosing the right imagery, colors, and words for their logos.

Branding is incredibly important in all industries, and the kratom industry is no exception.

Generalized Label Expectations

At this time, not all states require specific information to be included on kratom labels. We believe that this doesn’t mean that general label expectations should not be followed. In fact, we think that the lack of regulation makes it even more important.

Usage

The first thing that needs to be included is some type of instructions about how to use the product. Any relevant information and suggestions from the manufacturer to the consumer can be included here so that the customer sees it.

Warnings

Other things that you can (and should) see on a label are warnings. If there are any cautions, warnings, or other precautionary information that would benefit the consumer to know, it is a company’s obligation to warn the customer about these things.

Many products have warnings that are regulated and must be put on every product, such as cigarettes. For unregulated products such as kratom, however, no such requirements exist.

Stats

Another important thing to include on the label is any specific information about what is in the product. Ingredients, nutritional information, serving size, and more are all examples of stats that you might find on a product label.

As kratom is not under FDA regulation, product labels should not include any type of nutritional information unless otherwise advised by a regulatory agency.

The Complicated Kratom Label Situation

If you know anything about kratom’s legal status, you know that the status is always at risk. While some states have legalized kratom and made moves to protect consumers from unregulated dangers, not every state is as open to the idea of legal kratom.

Because of this, there are no official regulations that kratom vendors need to follow when they sell their products. There are some things that vendors are not allowed to say per FDA rules, but that doesn’t mean they have to say other things instead.

Vendors can put whatever they want on the labels, and we don’t believe that is enough. Though official classification of kratom at levels is still underway, it is possible to label kratom properly.

AKA’s GMP Label Program

For own labeling purposes, we follow the labeling protocol that is outlined within the American Kratom Association’s GMP Standards Program. The AKA is working tirelessly to help protect kratom consumers in America, and we believe that this is a program fully worth supporting.

With the standards laid out through AKA’s research, we (and other kratom vendors) can be sure to protect our consumers to the best of our abilities.

AKA’s Label Requirements

To be part of the GMP program with AKA, you have to follow their guidelines. Many of the guidelines have to do with labels, as you can see in the program guidelines:

  • • The labels, labeling, or advertising of any kratom product should not bear any disease claims (i.e., claims regarding the treatment, cure, prevention, or mitigation of disease) or unauthorized health claims.
  • • The labels, labeling, or advertising of any kratom product should not bear any structure/function claims.
  • • The labels, labeling, or advertising of any kratom product should not reference any research or clinical data.
  • • Each finished product label must include a batch or lot number.
  • • Each finished product should be labeled to disclose the mitragynine and 7-OH alkaloid content of the product.
  • • Each finished product label must advise consumers to consult with a physician for dosing information relative to alkaloid values.
  • • No kratom products may be sold to individuals under the age of 18.
  • • The label should bear a statement that pregnant women should not use kratom products during pregnancy.
  • • All labels, labeling, or advertising should include the following statement: “This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or condition.”

As you can see, those labeling requirements can be quite complicated, but that’s not a problem because AKA resources to help clarify things for vendors and consumers alike. The requirements don’t exist just to be complicated. They exist to ensure that vendors and consumers both are protected from the risks and dangers of the industry.

When you’re buying kratom online or in stores, take the time to look at the label on each product. Does the label give you good information? Do you feel like you have a good idea of the product by the time you read through it? If you answered yes to those questions, you should feel confident that you’re making a good choice.

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

by

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:

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.

Quality Tips: How To Choose The Right Kratom Vendor For You

by

One of the most appealing parts of modern technology is the options that it gives us. When we want to buy a new picture frame, we can check out dozens of prices and styles online before we choose a seller, buy it, and have it shipped our way. Never have there been more choices so easily accessed.

With so many more options, it can become difficult to decide which is the best because it becomes overwhelming.

Buying kratom is no different from buying anything else when shopping online. There are dozens of websites that sell various strains online, and your local CBD or herbal store might carry some as well. How do you decide where to buy something like kratom when it can be impossible to see the differences?

Choosing the right vendor is very important when purchasing kratom, especially if you will be buying it online. We’ll cover how to choose a vendor and why you should be careful in today’s tip roundup.

Tip #1: Ask Your Friends

Do you have friends that use kratom regularly? If so, those friends can be a great resource when choosing a vendor for your next kratom purchase. Everyone has different standards, but it is likely that everyone with kratom experience will be able to give you a good picture of what to expect from the vendors that they have tried.

If you don’t have a lot of friends that personally use kratom, reach out to an online kratom community and see what they have to say about vendors. Everyone who has purchased kratom a few times will have at least some information about their experiences with those particular vendors, and this information can help you to make more educated choices.

Tip #2: Consider Reviews Carefully

Reviews on the internet are a complicated topic. While they can be a great way to get an idea of how much people like a product, there is always the risk that the reviews found online are secretly commissioned or sponsored by the vendor themselves.

For that reason, it’s always important to consider reviews with balance. Take the things that are mentioned seriously, but don’t fall for reviews that seem too-good-to-be-true; they probably are. Think logically as you read through each review, and you’ll be able to get valuable information from them.

Tip #3: Shop For What You Enjoy

Another way that you can decide where to buy your kratom is to decide what strain, blend, or variety you want to purchase first. Even though there is considerable stock overlap between vendors, not all shops carry the same items. Kratom strains that are rarer or specially blended by a vendor will be harder to find, so you want to choose based on that.

If you’re not very particular about which specific products you want to buy, you can skip this tip and instead move to tip #4 to help you learn about vendor reliability while shopping.

Tip #4: Certifications, Reliability, and Policies

Let’s talk about what it means to be a reliable kratom vendor. Here at Phytoextractum, we think that it is incredibly important to keep an eye on our quality so that our customers don’t receive anything from us except the very best kratom.

Kratom safety has been a concern for the kratom community for a few years, and we fully support the efforts by groups like the American Kratom Association to ensure that safety is a reality in the community.

As such, we have spent time and money, ensuring that we follow their manufacturing guidelines and have all of the necessary certifications. When shopping around at various kratom vendors, these certifications can be a guide for you. After all, wouldn’t you feel more comfortable buying from a vendor that cares about that type of safety regulation?

Contaminated kratom has made it to the market in recent years, and we don’t want to see that happen ever again. We’ve implemented additional testing procedures, and we know that all reliable vendors would be proud to say that they have done the same.

Before you buy from a new vendor, check the following:

By checking into these items, you can quickly discover if the vendor takes safety as seriously as they should.

Tip #5: Seek a Partner

We always mention that we believe the process of using kratom is always changing. As new information, strains, and techniques come into the community, you are consistently going to need a way to become informed about these things.

For that reason, we think it’s really important to choose a regular vendor that also offers educational support. You don’t need to enroll in kratom school, but knowing that your favorite vendor has a blog with up-to-date and detailed information can help you to feel more secure when making choices in the future.

One of our favorite parts of our website is our blog! There, we take the time to write up detailed information full of tips, tricks, and research that you might not find otherwise. Any vendor that goes out of their way to ensure that you know what you’re dealing with is likely to be a good quality choice.

Keep Your Options Open!

If you haven’t already done so, we’d love it if you give our online store a try. We always source high-quality products, and we do our best to ensure that our customers are always able to have the most positive experience possible.

Of course, we don’t think that you should only consider us! There are a number of reliable kratom vendors out there. Trying out a few different vendors makes sense as long as you are sure that they are selling safe, reliable strains of kratom. Doing this, you’ll get a better idea of what best fits your wants and needs, and that’s essential!

AKA: The American Kratom Association And Why It Matters

by

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

by

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

by

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.