The American Kratom Association suggests that are currently between 10 and 15 million
kratom users in the United States.
Kratom is a plant-derived product
that is most commonly taken in powder or capsule form but is also available in
tinctures, teas, and gum. It's purported uses range from treating opioid
addiction and mitigating withdrawal symptoms, to alleviating pain, anxiety, and
depression.
In this article, we'll give you a
crash course in kratom. We'll be discussing its origins, strains, how to buy
the best kratom products, and more.
What
Is Kratom and Where Does It Come From?
The Mitragyna speciosa tree,
commonly called the kratom tree, grows wild throughout Southeast Asia in the
tropical climates of countries like Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia. A
relative of coffee, kratom's leaves have been used for centuries among native
populations.
In the United States, interest in
kratom did not become widespread until recently. It gained further traction in
the early 2000s when the opioid epidemic began taking hold. Kratom advocates
continually fight for FDA approval and further research into its therapeutic
benefits.
Kratom
101: Strains and Recommended Usages
It is important to familiarize
yourself with the different types of kratom to choose a product that best suits
your needs. The leaves of kratom trees have different colored veins, which
yield different effects when extracted.
Here is our breakdown of the three
primary strains:
White
Vein Kratom
White vein kratom is harvested much
like white tea - from younger tree leaves. The drying takes place entirely
indoors, without any presence of light.
Considered the most intense and
potent kratom strain, the white vein is best reserved for experienced users.
Red
Vein Kratom
Red vein kratom comes from leaves
that have fully matured. The leaves are processed under direct sunlight or with
UV lamps. Sometimes it is even fermented to create a different variation.
The results are generally more
mellow; red vein kratom products are among the most popular.
Green
Vein Kratom
Green vein kratom is frequently
referred to as the 'middle of the road' because it's not too strong and not too
weak.
Green vein kratom leaves undergo a
two-step drying process. It begins indoors in an air-conditioned room, and are
later transferred outdoors to finish up.
Tips
for Buying Kratom Products
Although studies show Kratom to be relatively safe, it is not approved by the FDA.
With the kratom marketplace largely unregulated, extra care is necessary when
shopping for Kratom products.
Dishonest sellers may add things
like flour or starch to kratom to increase their profits. Others are simply
unaware of their product's purity in the first place, whether regarding
additives or natural contaminants like dirt and mold.
Read customer reviews and do your
research before making any purchases. Your biggest means of defense is buying
your kratom through only reputable sources like Cali Botanicals.
Always choose all organic and
lab-tested kratom products. Additionally, both a packaging date and expiration
date are necessary to ensure alkaloid concentration, freshness, and potency.
Is
Kratom Right for You?
Deciding to try kratom comes down to
your personal needs. We hope our guide has been beneficial in determining if
kratom products are worth incorporating into your life.
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browsing the health care section of our blog for more informative content like
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