Kratom is an amazing plant that has benefited humans for hundreds of years. It is a tropical plant that is resilient, adaptable, and chock full of alkaloids, the naturally occurring compounds that make this tree so unique.
At times, the sheer amount of information about the different strains of the Kratom leaf can be overwhelming to a consumer. There are different Kratom strains, and for beginners, and even some enthusiasts, understanding where they come from and what makes them unique can be challenging to learn at first.
It’s essential to understand each strain before you adopt Kratom into your health and wellness routine. There are a lot of reasons why particular suppliers use different names for the same strains.
One supplier names a “red” strain to specify which farm the strain is from; another supplier may mix two strains and then call this new strain “red.” It can be confusing, especially when you’re new to the Kratom world.
To help alleviate some of the confusion, here are the Kratom strains and what makes them different from one another.
What Is Kratom?
This tropical evergreen tree is native to Southeast Asia in countries like Borneo, Malaysia, and Thailand. It has been used in a variety of ways in traditional cultures for centuries. At times, it was included in cultural rites or to motivate laborers.
Westerners have recently adopted Kratom as a health and wellness supplement. Depending on the strain, it is used to support optimism, motivation, and focus. You can buy the crushed leaf of Kratom powder, blend it into food and beverages, or make capsules.
It is critical to understand the different strains of Kratom and how to discern a reputable seller from a disreputable one if you’re considering adding Kratom to your wellness routine.
Vein Color
The strains get the colors from the drying and the fermentation process. Most strains start as red vein Kratom leaves, and then the amount of time they spend outside, in UV light, or fermenting in bags determines what color they become.
For example, green vein Kratom is dried in an air-conditioned room in the dark, then brought outside for exposure to UV rays for one hour. White vein Kratom is also dried indoors in a cooled room, and not exposed to UV rays, so it keeps its light hue. Red vein Kratom gets the most light and is fermented in bags, which enhances its red hue. The more light red vein gets, the darker the hue.
Green and white strains are a red vein Kratom leaf that has been dried in a particular way. White and green vein Kratom trees do exist in nature, but they are very rare.
Yellow Kratom and Stem-and-Vein Kratom
The yellow strain is usually a blend of two or more different colored strains, or it has gone through a particular fermentation process. Kats Botanicals sells two of the most popular yellow blends, Yellow Maeng Da and Yellow Sunda.
You can also buy stem-and-vein Kratom, which is not made up of the crushed leaf of the tree but, as the name implies, the stems and veins. Stem-and-vein Kratom is cheaper than pure Kratom leaf. Many consider the stems and leaves to be a waste product of harvesting Kratom, although the fiber in the stems and veins may prove beneficial to some.
Red Vein Kratom
This strain of Kratom is by far the most popular and best-selling on the market and with good reason.
These amazing tropical trees, related to the coffee plant, boggle botanists with their ability to thrive in almost any condition. They grow in floodplains or arid deserts, and when they are subjected to a lot of heat and light close to harvest, they grow exponentially.
Along with the trees’ amazing growing capabilities, red vein Kratom powder is pretty special as well. Red vein Kratom can promote peace and a sense of calm.
Dark Elephant, Red Malay, Red Bali, and Dark Red Borneo are incredibly popular types of red vein Kratom. If you’re looking for a way to instill more equilibrium in your day-to-day life or to promote calm before bed, red vein Kratom may be just the botanical solution for you.
Green Vein Kratom
This strain sits in between red vein and white vein in terms of potency and efficacy. It is dried both inside, in an air-conditioned room, and outside to acquire its green hue.
Green Kratom inspires a cheerful mindset and focus. It is excellent if you need a boost to get through your days. It promotes motivation and alertness and is a perfect addition to your busy lifestyle.
Green Bali, Green Maeng Da, and Green Malay are some of the more popular types of green Kratom. Some Kratom connoisseurs find it beneficial to mix their green strains to create a perfect balance of qualities.
White Vein Kratom
This type of Kratom has seen the least amount of light, which accounts for its lighter hue. White Kratom is the strain that helps you seize your day and boosts your well-being.
Many knowledgeable Kratom users mix white with green or red to mellow its outcome. If you’re new to Kratom or switching from red or green, you may want to consider easing into white Kratom as it is more robust than the other two. Some of the most popular white Kratom types are White Bali, White Elephant, and White JongKong.
Dosage and Method
As with any new addition to your regimen, start with a small dose, and work your way up. A low dose will also help you figure out which strain is best for you. The serving for Kratom is 2.4 grams, and you should not exceed two doses in 24 hours.
There are several ways to take Kratom. Traditionally, the Kratom leaves were plucked from the tree, chewed, or brewed into tea. Western Kratom users often find the leaves’ taste to be overly bitter. Many use the powders in foods, smoothies, or make capsules to avoid Kratom’s strong taste.
Capsules are an excellent, modern way to introduce Kratom into your regimen. They are discreet, and you can easily bring them with you or adjust the dosage as needed. Best of all, capsules completely eradicate the strong taste.
Reputable Suppliers
Along with finding the strain and method that’s right for you, make sure you are getting your Kratom from a reputable, trustworthy supplier
Some of the risks of buying Kratom from a supplier that’s not reputable could be that the product you’re getting isn’t 100% pure Kratom leaf. It could also have other detrimental substances in it, like heavy metals, pesticides, or bacteria.
There are a few details that make it easy to tell whether a particular seller is reputable.
Strong Rapport with Growers
To pick Kratom at the perfect time, you have to know about the plant and the process. The Kratom harvesters and cultivators in Southeast Asia are incredibly well-versed and know when to pluck the Kratom leaves precisely.
There is a moment when the alkaloids in the Kratom leaves, which are the compounds that make them unique, are at their very highest quantity. Experienced Kratom growers know when to pick the leaves so they can contain the most alkaloids.
If the Kratom seller does not seem to have a strong rapport with the sellers and manufacturers in Southeast Asia, you may not be buying the best Kratom on the market.
Third-Party Testing
Another way to ensure your Kratom is 100% Kratom and nothing else is to only deal with suppliers that have their products tested at an outside laboratory and offer their customers the lab results on request.
An outside lab tests the product for label transparency, which means that the label accurately describes the product. It should be only Kratom leaf and nothing else.
Outside labs also test for other detrimental substances in the product. Sometimes, Kratom powder can include harmful bacteria, pesticides, herbicides, and heavy metals from the water or soil. These substances all show up in a lab report.
Outside testing offers an unbiased, professional look at the Kratom product. If a supplier does not test in a third-party, impartial laboratory or does not provide you with the lab results from these tests, you may want to look elsewhere for your Kratom.
Customer Support
The final way to ensure your Kratom supplier is reputable and trustworthy is to assess the quality of their customer service.
If you’re new to the Kratom world, you probably have a lot of questions. You want a seller that eagerly and quickly responds to any questions or concerns you may have about your new purchase.
If your Kratom supplier is responsive to comments and questions and attempts to create a strong bond with their customers, then you know their hearts are in their business.
Last Word
In your Kratom journey, it’s important to have initiative. If you’re adopting this fantastic supplement into your health and wellness routine, it’s crucial to have the facts. There’s a lot of information out there, and it can get confusing to sift through it all.
Once you are ready to begin your Kratom journey or switch up your current routine, Kats Botanicals can help you decide which Kratom strain is the right one for your daily needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are several different types of kratom strains, including Maeng Da, Bali, Malay, Borneo, Indo, Thai, and Sumatra.
The best kratom strain is subjective and depends on individual preferences and desired effects. Some popular strains include Maeng Da, Bali, and Malay.
Kratom is known to offer a variety of effects, including pain relief, relaxation, enhanced mood, increased energy, and improved focus.
Maeng Da is a popular and potent kratom strain known for its energizing and stimulating effects.
Kratom is available for purchase online from various vendors. It is important to ensure you are buying from a reputable and high-quality source.
Kratom can be consumed in various ways, including brewing it into a tea, mixing it into food or beverages, or taking it in capsule form.
While kratom is generally considered safe when consumed responsibly, it may cause side effects such as nausea, dizziness, constipation, or headaches.
The American Kratom Association is a non-profit organization that advocates for the safe and legal use of kratom in the United States.
Yes, kratom is often used for its analgesic properties and may provide relief from various types of pain.
The legal status of kratom varies by country and region. In some places, it is fully legal, while in others, it may be restricted or banned. It is important to research and understand the laws in your specific location.
