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Natural botanicals have become more sought-after than ever as consumers try to manage their health and wellness without pharmaceuticals. One major botanical to emerge in the West in recent years is Kratom, which comes from the Mitragyna speciosa plant that grows in Southeast Asia. Kratom contains alkaloids, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, which may benefit your mind and overall sense of wellness as you go about your day. These alkaloids vary in their potency and overall benefits depending on how the Kratom leaves are processed. Because of this, there are major differences between varieties of Kratom. A variety that works for your friends or family might not be the optimal choice for you. However, trying a popular strain may be a good starting point if you’re trying to branch out.
Understanding the Colors
Kratom comes in three main color strains, each with its potential benefits. Red Kratom is usually known for its soothing and mellow benefits, but it can still help you stay focused while you unwind. It is popular with people who deal with a lot of stress and want to enjoy Kratom to unwind at the end of the day.
Green Kratom is more invigorating but is balanced and does not give you the jitters the way caffeine does (despite Kratom being a close relative of the coffee plant.) It is popular in the morning and afternoon, especially among busy professionals.
White Kratom is usually more potent than green Kratom and is popular among people who are experienced with Kratom and familiar with how Kratom makes them feel. It can be overwhelming for people new to Kratom use.
Some green, red and white varieties also contain small amounts of another color strain, but this will be clearly disclosed in the product description and is only added to help balance Kratom’s effects. There are also special blends like yellow Kratom, which is made up of a blend of either red and green or red and white Kratom. However, this is separate from the three main non-blended varieties.
It’s important to understand that some specific strains and blends are more popular than others because of their potency or overall balance. Here are the three most popular blends.
Green Maeng Da Kratom
Maeng Da Kratom is a potent strain sought-after by many Kratom enthusiasts thanks to its bold concentration of alkaloids. Maeng Da originally referred to a specific genetic strain grown in Thailand but now has grown to encompass a range of genetic varieties in multiple countries that pack the same potency. It’s available in red, white, and green strain versions.
Green Maeng Da Kratom is especially popular because it promotes a sense of optimism and wellness. It may help motivate you to tackle your workday, even if you’re pressured by deadlines and constant changes at work. User reviews talk about its potency and even mention taking less than they usually would with other green Kratom strains.
White Elephant Kratom
Serious Kratom enthusiasts appreciate the power of White Elephant Kratom. Most white Kratom products contain a small amount of this blend for maximum potency, making it popular with hard-working professionals with big career goals to meet.
Like with Green Maeng Da Kratom, White Elephant Kratom reviews mention needing to take less than usual. The potency of this blend has clear benefits to experienced Kratom users’ optimism and sense of clarity. It may be more intense than expected for newer Kratom fans, so take only 2 capsules or the lowest dose of powder if you’re not used to white Kratom in general.
Wild Red Bali Kratom
As its name implies, Wild Red Bali Kratom is produced from a wild variety of Mitragyna speciosa in Indonesia’s JongKong region. It’s a specialty of Kats Botanicals and comes from farmers specially instructed on how to harvest this plant without disrupting the environment that makes it possible.
Red Kratom usually emphasizes feelings of contentment and calm, but this strain also has a balance of motivation and optimism. It’s not as stimulating as a green or white strain, so it’s perfect for taking in the evening. User reviews say they can still focus on chores and other evening tasks even after taking this Kratom to start to unwind.
Where to Start
Beginners should start with a red or mild green strain, as their results are more subtle and easier to get used to. The benefits of white and strong green strains can be surprising, especially if you are not used to feeling invigorated at work.
You can also choose a strain similar to the most popular varieties but slightly toned down. Green Indo is less potent than Green Maeng Da, and White Sunda may be an excellent alternative to White Elephant because it’s 40% green vein Kratom.
Capsules or Powder?
Kratom in powder form is popular for use as tea in small cups. However, since this requires access to hot water, it’s not always practical for daytime use. Fortunately, all three of the varieties available above are available in pre-made capsule form.
Capsules tend to be more popular with people who are constantly busy and don’t have time to make tea at the optimal time for taking Kratom. They might carry a capsule with them and take it right after a lunch meeting or while on their way to pick up the kids from school.
Capsules are also popular with people who prefer to avoid Kratom’s slightly bitter taste. Although you can reduce the bitterness by adding grapefruit or other citrus juice, some people still enjoy capsules instead. As long as each capsule is protected from excessive heat and humidity, it’s a great option for anyone.
Trying Popular Varieties
It’s important to remember that popular varieties aren’t for everyone, especially since they are usually more potent than less popular varieties. Once you’ve tried some popular varieties, take notes on what you did and didn’t like about them. By checking the product descriptions and user reviews for similar strains, you might find one that’s a closer match for you.
Also, keep in mind that capsules are always an option if you don’t like a flavor of a variety. With a little experimentation, you’ll find a strain that helps you meet your wellness goals.