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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