Should I try Kratom?
Making the move when contemplating trying out a new product as in the case of Kratom, many people are filled with numerous questions about its source, legality, safety, and impacts of its use. The existing body of knowledge has little information on Kratom, which makes it hard for potential users trying to learn about Kratom themselves. Today, we will try to answer all your frequently asked questions on what Kratom is and what it does to the best of our knowledge.
Origin and Uses of Kratom
The Southwest Asian ranges are home to Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa). From the Rubiaceae family of trees, a cousin to the coffee tree. This ethnobotanical is native to this region characterized by misty wet tropical forests and rich volcanic soils composited over centuries of volcanic activity and a host of natural phenomena. Kratom can be found growing wildly in the dense forests across the islands and archipelagos. The soil fertility combined with favorable climatic conditions provide the optimal environment for growth and maturity of high grade, potent Kratom.
This region is less known, and mostly the indigenous peoples live here. The area is marked by small, localized villages that have been aware of the Kratom plant for many generations. The incorporation of Kratom into aspects of their culture has helped shape their lives through time as they lived, farmed, and obtained their livelihood from the jungle.
This region lags in terms of economic and technological advancement compared to the fast-growing regions of Thailand, Myanmar, and Malaysia. These indigenous settlement zones are home to people whose lives constitute mainly farming and subsistence activities. Due to little outside contact, the natives have resorted to using Kratom as an effective remedy for their needs. They have been observed to chew, smoke, and brew Kratom leaves for its benefits in relaxation, increasing alertness, poultice for wounds, and aphrodisiac.
Identifying your Kratom
To distinctively group Kratom products, they are broadly classified based on the products color, country/region of origin, and the form of the product. The details of what each category of classification means are the first step in choosing the right product to consume.
- Form: Kratom can be formulated and sold in different forms. The common forms are Kratom powder, Kratom capsule, Kratom tea, and Kratom extracts. The choice to consume a different form of Kratom is solely dependent on the user’s preferences and taste. It should be noted that every form achieves the same effectiveness desired. The forms are more of convenience-based choices.
- Origin: While all Kratom have their roots in the mitragyna species, different Kratom products can be sourced from all over. The difference in origin accounts for different tastes and concentration levels of alkaloids, depending on the soil, moisture, and plant environment. This unnoticeable difference usually plays a role in Kratom popularity and preference among consumers.
- Vein color: as the Kratom leaves move through growth up to maturity, the color of their veins changes as well. The younger leaves are white-veined and are said to have a higher concentration of Mitragynine. Towards the middle, the leaves are green-veined and have equal concentration. Matured plants are red-veined and are said to have a much higher concentration of the alkaloid 7-hydroxymitragynine. The vein color is used to accurately distinguish the leaves from each other based on the maturity needs and concentration levels required. The vein color does not, however, determine the powder color, although traces of it may be observed. Varying levels of color have more to do with how the powder is dried more than anything else.
Which form of Kratom is Better?
All over the Kratom market, consumers can purchase Kratom as either Kratom powder, Kratom capsule, Kratom tea, and Kratom extracts. While other forms of Kratom, including teas and smoothie recipes exist, those forms are mostly sold in kratom and kava cafes where refreshing drinks are sold to patrons.
- Kratom powder: Preferred for its near-natural to slightly bitter taste with rapid onset, Kratom powder is obtained by grinding the dried Kratom leaves into a very fine powder. This quick preparation method ensures that the product retains most of its original potency and concentration by having a large surface area. It also allows the manufactures to prepare, ship and sell it quickly.
- Kratom Extract:This form of Kratom offers the user the highest levels of concentration and purity. This soluble form of the product contains all of the main active ingredients. When added to any consumables, it is the most effective form of the product. The most preferred extracts use food-grade solvents and materials to extract the alkaloids.
- Kratom capsules: Kratom capsules are obtained by filling gelatin capsules with Kratom powder. This form of Kratom helps the user to monitor their intake levels effectively. It is also the easiest consumable form and eliminates the bitter distinct Kratom taste for some—a cleaner, controllable Kratom intake.
What the Law Says About Kratom
The food and Drug Administration (FDA) have taken a firm stance against the production, supply, and use of Kratom. Kratom has not been officially classified as either a food, a drug or supplement, and the undefined classification has blocked any major information releases about Kratom. Being the governing authority on all consumables in the country, vendors, suppliers, and providers try as much as they can to not provide any information on Kratom uses, benefits, and effects since they are not sanctioned by the FDA. Further research on the part of the FDA and the Kratom advocacy institutions is needed in order to determine the true characteristics and impacts of the kratom plant, mitragyna speciosa.
Your Takeaway
Even with the little existing information on Kratom, advocacy institutions, in particular, the American Kratom Association (AKA), has made efforts to provide reliable information to people all over the country. They have coordinated efforts to mobilize people into testifying to the positive impacts of Kratom in a bid to leverage the fight for Kratom legalization in their favor.
All members of the Kratom community must join together and make their voices heard. One user can only achieve so much, but a multitude of people championing for Kratom will achieve more. Contact your local representatives and take part in pushing for the provision of safe and legal Kratom.
As you do so, consider transforming your Kratom consumption by buying the best quality Kratom from us at www.krabot.com. We guarantee our products are legal, natural, tested, and safe. A Kratom vendor you can trust!