(The below article is a summary of the different varieties of Kratom and what you should look for when making a purchase. If you’re interested in learning more specifics about how to use Kratom and the ways in which you can take full advantage of this amazing plant, check out our Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Kratom.)
When you first discover Kratom, it can get overwhelming…. FAST. The different types of strains, the varieties of colors and veins – I know. We were all confused at one point. The great news is that once you understand the basics – it’s simple! I’m here to help ease the learning curve.
Strains
Let’s start with the different types of strains. Each strain is essentially named after the specific area it is harvested from. That’s it! Some common areas include Borneo, Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam. Each strain will also have its own particular makeup and properties, and as a result – will slightly vary in the effects it produces.
Veins / Colors
When looking to purchase Kratom, you’ll usually see the various options grouped by vein colors and “types”. The vein color is simply the color of the veins in the Kratom leaves before they are harvested. The “types” are labeled by the words Fast, Moderate or Slow.
As a general rule, colors and types are directly related. Yes, there are always exceptions, but they’re almost always correlated.
In most cases:
- Red Vein Kratom is classified as “slow” (with more calming and soothing effects)
- White Vein Kratom is classified as “fast” (with more stimulating and empowering effects)
- Green Vein Kratom is classified as “moderate” (a fast and slow blend that can be comforting and relaxing in higher amounts, yet also invigorating and motivating in lower ones)
- Yellow Vein Kratom has a tendency to be somewhat slow, although not as much as most red strains
When beginning your Kratom journey, I suggest you start by first – picking out a vein color based on your personal preference (after reviewing the above information). Then test out different strains of your chosen color. You’ll start to form opinions on what particular strain deliver the most desired outcome.
It’s natural to think that the color and strain combination someone else prefers may also be ideal for you, but remember – what works for another person may not work for you. Your ideal color, strain and dose is determined by your body’s unique makeup. You’ll need to experiment to find the perfect combination.
Things to Look for When Buying Kratom
The first rule of buying Kratom is QUALITY MATTERS! When choosing which Kratom to purchase, it’s critical to stick to ORGANIC, HIGH-QUALITY powder. Ideally, you need to look for fresh, high-grade leaves that have been crushed down to a very fine powder and afterwards filtered for the greatest alkaloid content. (Alkaloids are what cause the effects of Kratom.)
Kratom quality can fluctuate considerably between sellers, so it’s best to find a reliable merchant up front to avoid wasting your time and money. As a general rule, neighborhood smoke shops and flea markets typically sell low quality powder (so I would try to avoid these). You may think you’re taking the wrong dose or that Kratom simply does not work for you, but in fact – you may just be buying crappy Kratom.
On the other hand, I would also stay away from Kratom extracts. Extracts can come in liquid or powder form and are basically a much more potent form of Kratom. They have much more (too much!) of the active ingredient than ordinary powder and can cause your tolerance level to excessively increase. (This is something you do not want to happen.)
Sure, purchasing extracts may seem like a no-brainer. On the surface, it may appear that these can save you money because you’re buying and consuming less product… BUT!! (Yes – there’s always a catch.)
Some are potentiated by 50 to 100 times! These super-elevated amounts of alkaloids can rapidly end up being counterproductive and detrimental to your well-being if used routinely. Simply stick to the ordinary Kratom powder and you will be fine.
But Where Do I Buy Kratom?
My favorite online vendor is Lively Mood Botanicals. They have a great selection and offer high-quality Kratom at reasonable prices. I’ve talked to the shop owner many times and he’s delightful. (I am lucky enough to have a local vendor nearby who stocks high quality Kratom, but she is a bit more expensive since she has to manage and fund a physical store. I try to buy online whenever possible.)
One drawback to buying Kratom online is that paying with a credit card can get frustrating at times. Pharmaceutical companies are always at war with the natural herb industry (as these cheaper, natural remedies threaten to hurt their profits) and so they pour money into lobbying against it. Because of this, major credit card processors are pressured into declining transactions related to these controversial supplements, including Kratom.
Because of this headache, online sellers often offer incentives to use different payment methods, such as eCheck or Bitcoin. I personally use eCheck for most of my purchases, as it’s an easy way to save some cash.
If you have any questions about the different payment methods and/or how to overcome these (sometimes intimidating) hurdles, feel free to leave a comment!
If you’re interested in learning more about this amazing plant, check out our Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Kratom. It contains everything you need to know to get started, including the benefits of Kratom, how to consume it and where to buy it.
