Finding high-quality kratom products can be a serious undertaking, especially if you’re new to this powerful medicinal herb.

Nearly every kratom brand you’ll stumble into is eager to pitch its supplements as ‘best-in-class.’ However, you must proceed cautiously to differentiate between genuine claims and empty marketing gimmicks.

Fortunately for you, we’ve prepared a rundown of the ten critical questions to ask a kratom vendor before ordering their products. Each response will clue you in on the quality and safety of a kratom supplement.

1. Is it truly kratom?

Even before assessing kratom’s quality, you want to establish whether the product is truly kratom.

Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is a medicinal tree native to Southeast Asia. The plant possesses immense therapeutic properties, which are widely attributed to its abundance in alkaloids.

While shopping for kratom for sale, check the packaging material for the active compounds in the product. A supplement should at least highlight mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine – the two most dominant alkaloids in kratom.

Other relatively common alkaloids in kratom products include paynantheine, speciociliatine, and corynantheidine.

2. What does it look like?

Kratom comes in many formulations, and the specific appearance will depend on your choice preparation.

That said, raw kratom powder is typically green. You may also observe hints of white or red, depending on the strain.

If properly ground, kratom power should feel fine to the touch.

Also, look out for an earthy aroma similar to that of fresh herbs like green tea.

3. What conditions might it treat?

Most people consume kratom for pain relief. The plant’s alkaloids may alleviate pain by binding to certain opioid receptors in the brain.

Kratom exerts its therapeutic effects similarly to conventional opioids, such as morphine. The difference is that it produces minimal adverse effects.

Besides pain, kratom may also help with anxiety, fatigue, sleeplessness, and inflammation.

Beware of suspicious claims with no solid scientific backing.

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4. What strain is it?

While kratom is a distinct plant species, it occurs in different strains. These strains may be alternatively known as cultivars, varieties, or subspecies.

The three dominant kratom strains include green vein, white vein, and red vein.

The colors denote the appearance of the leaf veins. More importantly, each kratom strain delivers specific effects.

White veins are predominantly invigorating, red veins are calming, while green veins offer the best of both worlds.

5. Where does the strain come from?

Besides the three primary strains, you’ll also come across kratom supplements named after various regions in Southeast Asia.

Examples include red Malay (a Malaysia-originated red vein), white Indo (a white vein from Indonesia), and green Borneo (a green vein from Borneo Island).

These region-specific cultivars provide even more distinctive effects, which are due to the local climates in their respective native ranges.

6. Is it organically grown?

Organically grown kratom is essentially kratom cultivated using organic fertilizer and pest control methods. Such products contain fewer toxins, making them remarkably safe and potent.

Research a brand’s supply chain to establish where they source their kratom from. Ideally, consider kratom obtained from small family-owned plantations.

Note that kratom is a major bioaccumulator. Therefore, it’s prudent to also study the ingredients list for significant concentrations of potentially harmful compounds like heavy metals.

7. Is it lab-tested?

Checking for proof of laboratory testing is perhaps the most reliable way to validate kratom’s safety and quality.

That evidence would typically come in the form of a certificate of analysis (CoA) published on each product’s description page. If you’re buying kratom from a brick-and-mortar store, check out the packaging material for the CoA.

The analytical report details the active alkaloids in each tested batch, along with any additives.

Image by md saidul Islam from Pixabay

8. Is the product purely kratom-based?

Most kratom supplements contain Mitragyna speciosa extracts as the principal bioactive ingredients. However, some may be fortified with other therapeutic herbs.

Understanding the diversity of the medicinal compounds in a kratom product can help you manage your expectations.

Assume that you’re suffering from chronic fatigue and need to supercharge your energy levels.

In that case, you may choose a product formulated with white vein kratom alongside other stimulating compounds like tetrahydrocannabinol.

9. Should I expect side effects?

A reputable kratom vendor must issue relevant warnings, including the risks of overdosing on their products.

Shun brands that market their products as 100% safe.

You can also predict kratom’s effects by studying the ingredients. As mentioned, a higher concentration of toxic compounds might trigger unpleasant reactions.

But even for products that appear visibly safe, remember to moderate your doses.

10. Is it legal?

We shouldn’t even be discussing kratom’s quality and safety if the herb is restricted in your jurisdiction.

Kratom laws vary considerably from one jurisdiction to another.

In the United States, the herb is legal in some states, restricted in others, and outright banned in some.

Canada maintains more permissive kratom laws. You can access kratom throughout the country, with restrictions only requiring vendors to avoid misleading marketing.

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**The Bottom Line **

Not only are cheap kratom supplements ineffective. They can also pose serious safety concerns.

While kratom presents lower risks of adverse effects than many therapeutic herbs, taking products laced with harmful ingredients can trigger a host of health issues. That underscores the significance of due diligence while shopping for kratom products.

By relying on this guide, you can effectively validate kratom’s quality before purchasing it.

Remember to also follow your instincts while shopping for kratom supplements. If a claim sounds too good to be true, it probably is.