Kratom is the more familiar name for the Mitragyna speciosa Korthals, a tropical plant found in the rainforests of Southeast Asia, mainly in the southern parts of Thailand, Northern Malay Peninsula and Borneo. The plant was first discovered by the Dutch botanist “Korthals”. Kratom belongs to the same plant family as coffea (coffee plant), namely the star leaf family. Locals chew, smoke, or add it to their food and drink. In the West, the leaves are often processed into powder, and capsules are filled with it. Liquid extracts of the Kratom leaves are also made.
Alkaloids are the active substances in Kratom. It contains more than 40 different alkaloids. These active substances are mainly found in plants, and they have an effect on the human nervous system. Each alkaloid has a special property, which in turn has a unique interaction on the human body.
Kratom Strains
Kratom varieties are generally divided into three different colors. Red Vein, White Vein or Green Vein. This subdivision depends on the color of the stem and leaf veins. If you look closely at a kratom leaf, you will see that the stem and veins have a certain color. This difference is not always clearly visible and much also depends on the location, age and conditions in which the kratom tree is located. When grinding kratom leaves, the stem and veins are generally removed.
Red Vein Kratom are leaves with red colored stem and veins. Red Kratom is by far the most sold and most available Kratom strain on the market. The red vein kratom plant grows abundantly in Southeast Asia and is slightly better to cultivate than other Mitragyna Speciosa strains. Some studies claim that the substances that lead to the red color of the veins also make the plant less sensitive to external factors.
Red vein leaves are great for beginners. Within the red veins, there are quite a few differences in properties. Some kratom strains like the Red Thai Premium or Borneo Red have a sedative effect while others like the Red Sumatra can produce an exuberant mood. It is also important here as with the other kratom varieties that effects depend on the dosage. Kratom can have a stimulating effect in small doses, and in large doses it has a calming / numbing effect. In general, the red Kratom varieties are used to experience calmness and tranquility.
White Vein Kratom is known as a stimulant and also contributes to a positive mood. The quality of each kratom variety naturally differs and depends on a number of factors such as, the quality of the product, your lifestyle and the tolerance level of the individual. White Vein Kratom is very popular for its energy boost. This kratom is therefore perfect in the absence of focus and energy. White kratom can also be very effective against depression-related complaints. A popular species is the White Sumatra.
Green Vein Kratom sits a bit in the middle of the red and white kratom strains. The Green Vein varieties are more subtle than the red or white Kratom varieties. Green vein kratom is therefore often mixed with red or white kratom to get a more rounded aroma. This therefore has a refined effect. Properly mixed prevents excessive anesthesia of the red veins and prevents overstimulation of the white veins. A well-known Green Vein strain is the Green Malay.
How does Kratom work?
Kratom therefore contains alkaloids, of which mitragynine is thought to cause the most important effects. Mitragynine is an opiate agonist, which means it has an effect on your opiate receptors in your brain. These receptors affect your mood and anxiety. Mitragynine binds to these receptors, making you feel euphoric. It also improves your mood! The effects are noticeable within half an hour, and last for about 2 to 4 hours.
How do you use kratom?
You can take Kratom in a number of different ways. You can chew, smoke or make tea from the leaves. The easiest way to use kratom is probably to just make tea from it. Users report that a dose of 3-5 grams of kratom powder works well.
Kratom dosage
The desired effect depends mainly on the amount of kratom you use. Because kratom works differently for everyone, you will have to work yourself to your personal, perfect dose.
1-2 grams: A very mild effect
2-4 grams: A reasonable effect
4-6 grams: A normal dose for the average user
6-9 grams: A strong effect
9+ grams: A very strong effect
- Pour 375ml of water into the pan (you can add the juice of a whole lemon, this protects the alkaloids).
- Simmer the water and now add your weighed amount of kratom powder.
- Stir it together and let the water simmer for another 15 minutes.
- Remove your pan from the heat.
- Place the strainer over your cup and carefully pour your tea through it. With this you should collect all powders so that your tea is clear and free from sediment.
- Add seasonings if necessary.
