Kratom 101: A Beginner's Guide

Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is a tree native to Southeast Asia, and its leaves have been used there for generations. In the U.S. it's sold as a plant-based product in a few different forms. If you're new to it, here's a straightforward overview of what's out there and what the terminology means.

Forms you'll see on the shelf

• Powder — dried, ground leaf. The most common and typically most affordable form.
• Capsules — pre-measured powder in a capsule, mainly for convenience.
• Extracts — concentrated liquid or resin forms, generally more potent by volume than powder.

What the strain colors mean

You'll see kratom labeled by vein color — red, green, white, and sometimes yellow. The color refers to the color of the leaf's vein at harvest, which relates to the plant's maturity and how it was processed afterward, not a flavor or a brand. Different color/region combinations (like "Red Bali" or "Green Maeng Da") are how vendors distinguish batches, similar to how coffee is labeled by origin and roast.

What to look for when buying

• Lab testing — reputable vendors test for contaminants like heavy metals and microbials, and can show you results.
• Clear labeling — batch information and sourcing should be easy to find, not hidden.
• Reasonable claims — be skeptical of any product making specific health or medical claims; kratom is sold as a botanical product, not a drug, and no legitimate seller should be telling you otherwise.
• Proper storage — kratom should be kept cool, dry, and out of direct sunlight to hold up over time; that's true for you at home as well as for how a shop stores it.

A note on legality

Kratom's legal status varies by state and even by city, and it changes — some places restrict it, a few ban it outright. If you're not sure about your area, ask our team; we keep current on where we're allowed to sell and to whom.

Getting started

If you're trying kratom for the first time, starting with a small amount of powder and taking note of how it affects you before considering more is the approach most experienced users recommend. Everyone's different, so there's no universal "right" amount.