History & Benefits of Kratom

Kratom is an herb generally found in the Southeast part of Asia that has been used increasingly in the western world for its aromatic and potential therapeutic uses. Its unique chemical makeup and controversial history have sparked a buzz in the scientific community and made headlines across the world. Kratomystic is proud to be a trusted seller of premium Kratom products and aims to help educate customers on the important history of this plant and its potential benefits.

What is Kratom?

Kratom, or Mitragyna Speciosa, is a natural product derived from an evergreen tree that is native to Borneo, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Papua New Guinea. This product has been around for centuries and technically comes from the same family as coffee. A variety of powders, capsules, and products and extracted from the leaves of this tree and put to use for their abundantly soothing and therapeutic properties. Kratom is considered to be one of the most sacred herbs of the Southeast Asian region.

What Chemical Compounds are Found in Kratom?

Kratom leaves contain rhynchophylline, an alkaloid that acts as a calcium channel block and reduces NMDA-induced current. Mitragynine content in the leaves may differ based on various factors including where the tree was grown. According to one recent analysis, the levels of Mitragynine range between 1 to 2% and 7-hydroxymitragynine at 0.01 to 0.04%.

Mitragynine has a chemical structure that is responsible for the molecules observed in adrenergic systems and it can be very soluble in conventional organic solvents including acetic acid, acetone, alcohols, diethyl ether, and chloroform.

Another well-known chemical compound found in the leaves of Kratom is the 7-hydroxymitragynine, which has a potency level of 30-fold higher than that of Mitragynine, making it the most active substance found in the plant. Researchers typically prefer to use Mitragynine as a chemical precursor as the chemical synthesis of many Kratom alkaloids can be too complex for economic production.

History of Kratom

Kratom dates back thousands of years in Asia and was first discovered by Europeans in 1831. The Dutch botanist, Pieter Korthals studies the plant and named it Mitragyna Speciosa, which was later finalized and classified by the British surgeon, George Haviland.

Kratom historically been tied to traditional use and folk medicine for workers and peasants dealing with hard labor conditions in Southeast Asia. While this plant dates back millennia and researchers have passed down knowledge regarding the value of Kratom, it is still pending more quality modern research and long term studies.

Conventional medical research started in 1907 when L. Wray sent samples to the University of Edinburgh to be researched. In 1921 the Mitragyna Speciosa alkaloids were named and isolated, and in 1930 a study was done regarding the psychoactive effects of Kratom and its potential use in medicine. This specific study noted the use of the herb in the treatment of diarrhea and fever. This study was confirmed by Dr. Sangun later on who also discovered three additional alkaloids.

In 1943, the government of Thailand passed the Kratom Act 2486 which declared the possession and sale of Kratom as illegal and demanded that remaining trees be cut down. In 1993, the Ministry of Health declared Mitragyna Speciosa as a controlled narcotic drug and Malaysia followed suit in 2003.

Despite promising research emerging, Kratom was banned in various countries all over the world, but recent revelations may lead to a reversal in these laws that allows for the herb to be studied more thoroughly and incorporated into medicinal treatments.

Strains of Kratom

Kratom comes in a variety of strains based on the conditions the tree has grown in. The grading and potency of Kratom are determined by the mode of planting, nurturing, and harvesting, as well as the post-harvesting process. All of this comes together to provide a number of unique strains that can be used for different purposes and potencies. Some of the more popular Kratom strains sold around the world include Borneo, Bali, Maeng Da, Bentuangie, Sumatra, Malaysian, and Ultra Enhanced Indo.

Borneo Kratom

The rainforests of Borneo produce many of the island’s Kratom crops because of its conducive climate to the growth of the trees. A remote town called Kapuas Hulu sits far from the nearest town and contributes greatly to crop growth. Different regions of Borneo have varying climates and growing conditions which results in different strains of Kratom that bring in unique benefits. Borneo Kratom is known to have higher levels of alkaloids like 7-hydroxymitragynine. Borneo strains can either be soothing and or relaxing depending on their aroma and freshness.

Bali Kratom

Bali Kratom is an incredibly popular strain and is typically considered an industry standard for its “do-it-all” properties. It is also cultivated and imported fresh from the Borneo region, but this strain is distinguishable by its dark leaves and high alkaloid content. Bali Kratom is said to have some of the strongest aromas with an ideal balance of over two dozen different alkaloids.

Maeng Da Kratom

Maeng Da Kratom is also a very popular strain with a high alkaloid content, dark green leaves, and a strong aroma. Red and Green Maeng Da are very popular and can more commonly be found from retailers. Shamanistic research and studies point to a unique alkaloid distribution of Maeng Da that offers a paradox of aromatic effects.

Bentuangie Kratom

This strain of Kratom is a relatively new option imported from Indonesia and may be available for retail soon. Typical Kratom strains go through a traditional drying process, but Bentuangie Kratom is fermented in a bag to provide a unique flavor and an enhanced alkaloid percentage. This is one of the most well-rounded strains because of its natural tendency towards a higher amount of 7-hydroxymitragynine. This strain is increasing in popularity and is highly sought after on the market.

Sumatra Kratom

Sumatra Kratom, usually known as Green Sumatra, is a newer strain that can be found from certain retailers that is known to have the longest-lasting aroma and a well-distributed spectrum of alkaloids. This strain is grown in the northwestern part of the Sumatra Indonesian island. The lightly-colored leaf appears light green when dried and grounded. Green Sumatra Kratom is commonly considered to be one of the more balanced options available.

Malaysian Kratom

Malaysian Kratom generally comes as Super Green Malay and acts as a hybrid of every strain to provide an energizing aroma. This train is harvested from mature trees in the Malaysian jungle to offer high alkaloid content and a long-lasting aroma.

Ultra Enhanced Indo (UEI) Kratom

Ultra Enhanced Indo contains a fair amount of alkaloid extract and is often labeled as the king of all powders. Experienced Kratom professionals can systematically pick out all leaf particles to leave behind the active ingredients in the leaves, which are used to enhance this powder.

What do the Different Kratom Colors Mean?

While there are several Kratom strains available from different sources, there are also a number of colors available within each. The leaves of Kratom are green and shiny, but the veins and stems of those leaves differ in color and typically come in hues of red, green, or white. These colored veins are what informs about the properties of a specific strain of Kratom and bring in different effectiveness. Research has shown that red veined Kratom leaves offer higher concentrations of certain alkaloids that bring in gentle and soothing aromatic properties. White strains of Kratom is known to feature more mitragynine than other colored strains. Green Kratom is typically classified with white Kratom as they share similar properties, but it does offer its own spectrum of effects.

Yellow or Gold Kratom is not accepted as an official strain but it is available on the market. The yellowing occurs during the drying process from very old handpicked leaves. Yellow Kratom may offer a higher mitragynine content than most white strains.

What are the Potential Benefits & Uses of Kratom?

As its popularity grows, kratom is being used more and more in botanical research as well as potential therapeutic and medical uses. Each type of strain can offer a myriad of applications based on the different aromas and alkaloid content. It is important that researchers and other buyers do plenty of research prior to making a decision about what type of Kratom to purchase.

While a number of studies have ruled out the medicinal potential of this natural herb, its properties are still not fully understood. More research should be done on its protein binding ability, metabolism, and elimination properties.

While some studies have pointed to the potential of Kratom for certain effects, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has strictly prohibited the internal use of the herb until further research has been done.

Legality of Kratom

Even though it is legal to buy Kratom and Kratom powder from retailers like Kratomystic, the FDA and other governing bodies have not classified it as safe and therefore recommend that the internal use be completely avoided. Some countries have outlawed either the production or use of Kratom. This plant is widely misunderstood as many ‘alternatives’ are and has become quite a controversial product.

In the United States, Kratom is largely legal, but some states have introduced their own laws surrounding the products. It is illegal to use, grow, possess, or sell Kratom in Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin. Kratom is legal for users over the age of 18 in most of Illinois and all of New Hampshire. San Diego is the only city in California that has banned Kratom, and the same goes for Sarasota County of Florida and Union County of Mississippi. With the exception of Denver, Colorado is largely open to Kratom. In 2017, Tennessee lifted its ban on the plant for anyone over the age of 21. Alaska, Wyoming, and elsewhere in the US allows for the purchasing, selling, and using of Kratom.

Other countries also have different laws surrounding Kratom. It is not widely known in Africa but is legal in South Africa. Kratom is illegal in Israel, Japan, Myanmar, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, and Vietnam. It has been legalized in Hong Kong and the laws are more ambiguous throughout the rest of China. Thailand is currently making a push towards legalizing its use.

Australia and New Zealand have both outlawed Kratom although New Zealand allows for prescription purchase.

Many countries in Europe have banned the use of Kratom with the exception of the UK. All imports to the UK are banned and while it is legalized for use, it is not legal to buy with the intent to supply.

Canada has some interesting laws surrounding the use of Kratom, but it is is legal.

Latin America seemingly allows the use of Kratom in the Northern and Central countries.

As with all alternative products, it is important for buyers and users to check the laws of the specific area in which they reside and do thorough research to ensure they remain within the law of their governing country.

Buying Kratom from Kratomystic

Those looking to purchase Kratom will most likely want to buy from a trusted online supplier like Kratomystic that offers high-quality strains that have been third-party lab tested and come with a quality guarantee.

Unfortunately, many websites are not reputable and sell products that do not hold up to their claims. Buyers should never buy from a shady site just to get cheaper Kratom products. There are a number of things buyers should do to ensure they are getting quality products from a reputable seller.

While selecting a Kratom vendor, buyers should check for the following:

• A functional, credible website
• Transparent pricing
• A quality guarantee
• A guide for consumers
• Certificate of analysis
• Different payment options
• Listed delivery areas
• An explanation of local laws and regulations
• A return policy
• Customer support
• User reviews

Any trusted vendor of Kratom will gladly welcome any inquiries or concerns from potential customers about their products. The experts at Kratomystic are available and willing to answer any and all questions, helping customers choose the right powders, capsules, extracts, and enhanced products to suit their individual preferences.

The Importance of Properly Storing Kratom

After buying Kratom products, it becomes important for researchers and users alike to educate themselves on how to properly store it to keep it fresh. This keeps the alkaloids and other active ingredients from breaking down and rendering the Kratom useless. Kratom powders, capsules, and extracts should be kept somewhere cool and away from sunlight. Kratom should be stored in an airtight container or bag to keep it from becoming stale by being exposed to too much oxygen. Kratom should be kept dry at all times to ensure it remains in the optimum condition.

If Kratom is stored properly, it will keep for about a year. After a certain point, it may start to degrade in quality and effectiveness. Users should check with Kratomystic and the specific product instructions to ensure they are storing the products properly and using them within their recommended times.

The Importance of Choosing Accredited Lab Tested Products

A big reason that Kratom has been banned by certain states and countries is due to the belief that it is unregulated. However, there are a number of reputable sellers that strict manufacturing practices and regulate the entire process: labeling, storage, ingredients, and more. Kratomystic’s participation in third-party lab testing puts the well-being of our customers at the forefront to ensure a high-quality, safe product.

Testing can ensure that the two important alkaloids found in Kratom – mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine – are present in the products and can show what percentages they offer. In addition to testing for alkaloids, the third party laboratory can test for other nasties or harmful ingredients in products such as heavy metals or bacteria that might be harmful for users.

It is important that the lab doing the testing is accredited, meaning they have undergone a thorough inspection by certain organizations and commissions. This ensures that the lab in question meets certain standards of safety in every area of the business including equipment, staff, record keeping, expertise, and quality assurance.

Buyers can find information about lab testing on our website or make an inquiry directly with a representative to learn more about the testing practices we put in place.

Ethical Sourcing & Manufacturing Practices

Beyond utilizing third party laboratory testing, it is important that sellers ethically source their products. Products should be grown botanically and then harvested, processed, and packaged using top-notch technology that will maintain a high purity content and high-quality alkaloids. This becomes especially essential for the purpose of obtaining consistent results in research studies.

Kratom retailers should only use trusted, independent farmers as a source for top quality Kratom strains. This can help struggling economies in the Far East and provides those farmers with more incentive to continue adhering to best practices for the growth and cultivation of Kratom crops. To secure their place in a competitive market, farmers must stand at the forefront of quality and cleanliness to encourage companies in the West to do business with them.

There are certainly still companies in the West that use dangerous and less than desirable chemicals to process the Kratom, which works its way into the end product. Buyers should check to see that the seller has passed various quality assurance tests. Kratomystic works to cultivate a safe, ethical Kratom market that benefits farmers, sellers, and buyers.

Important Things to Remember About Kratom

While much is known about Kratom, there is still plenty to learn about this sacred herb found in the Southeast part of Asia. Continued research and widespread education is needed to ensure that this natural product sees its full potential.

Some important things to remember about Kratom include the following quick facts:

• This herb has been around for centuries and was used throughout Asia for a variety of different purposes
• The western world is increasingly recognizing the potential of Kratom
• Kratom contains a number of alkaloids that can products varying effects depending on the strain
• Popular Kratom strains include Borneo, Bali, Maeng Da, Bentuangie, Sumatra, Malaysian, and Indonesian
• The vein coloring will change the aroma of each product
• A number of powders, capsules, and extracts can be drawn from the leaves of the Kratom tree
• Differing aromas and alkaloid contents will encourage different applications
• Kratom is still awaiting more research and long term studies to confirm its potential
• It is legal to buy Kratom products from retailers in the US
• The FDA has not classified the herb as safe for internal use
• Some countries have outlawed Kratom use or production
• Kratom must be stored properly to ensure optimum effectiveness
• All products should be purchased from a trusted supplier that offers quality products, third-party lab testing, a quality guarantee, and ethical sourcing