With kratom’s long history, it is no surprise that it has made its way to the West.
But what is Kratom?
In many respects, it is a lot like many other traditional plant-based traditions.
The following are just some of what is known about Kratom, its different forms, and its qualities.
What Is Kratom?
Kratom, or Mitragyna speciosa, is a plant found throughout Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Vietnam. The green, leafy plant grows anywhere from four to 16 meters high — one of the largest families in the plant kingdom with some 6,500 species related to it. Kratom grows mostly in tropical or subtropical climates.
The chemical makeup of Kratom is considered some of the most unique in the plant kingdom.
Kratom has a few different aliases, including:
- Thom
- Biak
- Ketum
- Ithang
- Kakuam
What Are the Qualities of Kratom?
Studies are ongoing about the qualities and potential of Kratom.
Kratom in the United States is legal to possess and sell but it is not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and, therefore, Kratom designated for sale is labeled “Not for Human Consumption.”
What Forms Do Kratom Come In?
Kratom is packaged and dispensed in a number of ways.
However, Kratom is available as an extract, dried and/or powdered leaves.
How Is Kratom Extract Made?
To make Kratom extract, farmers in Southeast Asia harvest the mature leaves of the tree.
The leaves are gathered and placed to dry in the sun on drying racks. Once the curing process is completed, the Kratom farmers crush and powder the dried leaves. Then the process begins.
By boiling the crushed or powdered Kratom leaves, evaporation occurs. This process creates a concentrated extract that can be sold as a powder or other form.
Another popular form of Kratom extract is resin.
The Kratom resin is made by mixing the powder with water and lemon or lime. The mixture is then frozen and then boiled again.
Alkaloids naturally exist in our bodies and help fight off a host of maladies like bacteria, pain, and some illnesses.
How Is Kratom Graded?
When people consider a Kratom product they’ll see on the label “25X” or “50X”. The meanings of these ratings are easy to confuse. The 25X and 50X do not denote the products power. Rather, the denominations signify how many grams the product weighed before the Kratom was made into an extract or other product.
In this regard, it is also important to check if your Kratom product has been lab-tested. This is a necessary gauge for determining if the product you buy is pure and contains only the elements you desire.
Testing will also determine the products alkaloids, the Kratom variety, any heavy metals or contaminants, and if any substance was used to “cut” or adulterate the Kratom product.
Find Out More
The best way to answer the questions “What is Kratom?”, “Is Kratom right for me?” or “Should I sell Kratom in my store?” is to do your research.
Luckily, you have started your Kratom journey in the right place. To learn even more, contact us here today.