Mitragyna speciosa, commonly known as kratom, is a tropical evergreen tree in the coffee family native to the Southeast Asian countries of Thailand, Malaysia, Myanmar, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea. The tree contains opioid-like properties and mild-stimulating effects, making it an excellent remedy for pain and fatigue.
In the Southeast Asian countries where kratom grows indigenously, extracts from this herb have been used in folk medicine from at least the mid-19th century to treat numerous ailments. Existing scientific research and ongoing studies seem to corroborate kratom’s traditional therapeutic claims. That explains the growing popularity of the herb among alternative medicine enthusiasts.
But like any herbal extract, finding high-quality kratom products and strains can be a painstaking process. Fortunately, you can implement specific tips to ensure you get premium-quality kratom goods at industry-competitive prices.
Below are invaluable tips to follow when shopping for kratom products.
Why Is Kratom Quality Such A Big Deal?
Quality is a significant consideration while shopping for therapeutic goods. It’s an even more substantial concern if shopping for alternative medicine products like kratom. Choosing poor-quality kratom can result in unforeseen consequences.
Substandard kratom products are not only ineffective. They could also contain potentially toxic compounds that might predispose you to serious health complications.
Another reason to exercise caution while shopping for kratom products is that the herb remains illegal in numerous countries and jurisdictions worldwide. That’s despite the many studies supporting its therapeutic claims. Therefore, it’s essential to insist on the best kratom vendors.
Lastly, the kratom industry still lacks efficient quality control and standardization. The apparent absence of standardization means there’s no uniformity. It also means that manufacturers and retailers cannot purport to prescribe kratom dosages as the actual serving amounts differ from one user to another.
How to Find the Best Kratom Strains and Products
Know Your Vendor
We’ve just indicated that the kratom industry is largely unregulated, and most kratom products lack standardization. That makes it necessary to deal with reputable vendors. There are two ways to vouch for the reputation of a kratom supplier. First, consider retailers who’ve been around for a reasonably long duration. Although not always a thumb rule, insist on kratom manufacturers and vendors with a history spanning at least five years.
Another best practice when choosing a reputable kratom vendor is to check online reviews. Trusted suppliers are likely to enjoy more positive than negative feedback. Ensure that the reviews appear on legitimate websites and not platforms associated with the seller. It’s not unusual for some unscrupulous dealers to sponsor reviews to hoodwink unsuspecting customers.
Understand What Kratom Strains Are
Kratom exists in numerous strains. There are two naming conventions used in assigning kratom strains their respective names. They include the coloration of the tree’s leaf veins and the herb’s country of origin.
There are three main kratom strains based on the coloration of the tree’s leaf veins. They include White Vein Kratom, Green Vein Kratom, and Red Vein Kratom.
Note that all these strains can exist in the same tree. The difference is in the period they occur during a tree’s growth stage. The leaves of kratom trees start white before turning green and eventually red.
Another essential thing to remember is that these three strains differ significantly in their therapeutic properties and overall effects on the body. White Vein Kratom stands out for its stimulating and uplifting properties, which makes it an excellent option for treating fatigue and improving mental concentration. On the other hand, Red Vein Kratom is most noted for its pain-relieving and sedating properties. Lastly, Green Vein Kratom offers the best of both worlds. Kratom products formulated with Green Vein strains are perfect if looking to enjoy the herb’s therapeutic properties without becoming too intoxicated.
Regarding the country of origin, we have kratom cultivars indigenous to specific countries and regions in Southeast Asia. For instance, Maeng Da, Red Borneo, and White Malay are native to Thailand, Borneo Island, and Malaysia.
Go For Lab-tested Products
The reputation of a kratom vendor and the types of strains they deal in shouldn’t be the only consideration when shopping for kratom goods. It’s also best to insist on lab-tested products.
Lab testing is a necessary procedure that investigates and verifies the potency of kratom in a product. It also checks for any additives and impurities. Some of these impurities include toxic heavy metals like lead and mercury that may result from the soil or infectious microorganisms.
The best way to determine that a kratom product has been duly lab-tested is to check for testing reports. These reports should be readily published on a product’s online page. But if buying kratom offline, then be sure to ask for a copy of lab testing.
Most importantly, establish that the testing was conducted by an independent laboratory, not those affiliated with a kratom vendor.
Check the Labeling
Kratom goods should have proper nutrition labeling. The label should specify all the ingredients in the product, along with their respective concentrations. Even if everything else looks good so far, never purchase any kratom product that doesn’t have a proper nutrition label.
And while you’re at it, check that the labeling information doesn’t contain misprints and typos. Such mistakes cannot escape the eyes of a reputable vendor.
And as we mentioned at the beginning, beware of product labels bearing dosage recommendations. That’s because kratom has no ideal dosage. A manufacturer or vendor can only advise you to follow your physician’s prescription.
Beware Of Misleading Marketing Clichés
Kratom may offer plenty of health benefits. However, the herb has not been officially approved for medical use by many drug agencies, including the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Therefore, it’s essential to beware of manufacturers or retailers using misleading marketing clichés.
Kratom products shouldn’t be touted as being able to ‘cure’ any disease. The more accurate terms would be ‘treat,’ ‘mitigate,’ or ‘remedy.’
Instead of pitching their products as the magic pill for various diseases, kratom vendors should focus on providing more helpful information. Examples include administering kratom products, the herb’s onset time and duration of effects, side effects, etc.
In the same breath, avoid sellers who base their marketing entirely around price. Remember that when it comes to therapeutic commodities, price usually represents quality.
Summary
Kratom may be effective against numerous diseases. However, the kratom industry still lacks proper standardization. That underscores the importance of conducting your due diligence while shopping for kratom supplements. We hope you can implement the tips mentioned above the next time you shop for kratom-infused products.
