Kratom, formally known mitragyna speciosa, is a member of the Rubiaceae family. Some of it's relatives include the coffee plant as well as other members of the madder family. It is native to Southeast Asia and commonly produced in countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand.
Many people in SE Asia have consumed kratom for hundreds of years, it was popular to chew the raw leaves of the plant to help aid their muscle and joint discomfort.
Kratom isn't generally chewed as a leaf anymore, but is still frequently used today.
What is Kratom?
Kratom is commonly grown in Southeast Asia still, farmers grow and harvest the leaves, dry them out, and will grind and pulverize them in to a very fine tea-like powder. That leaf powder is then tested by independent 3rd-party labs to ensure quality and then sent to distributors to be packaged and ready for you.
How Does Kratom Work?
Mitragyna Speciosa is used for its discomfort relieving properties. Traditionally, it has been claimed to help with musculoskeletal pain, soreness, low energy, and much more!
People who consume kratom will generally brew it into a tea, mix the leaf powder with juice, or "toss and wash" the powder itself. It is common for kratom users to take it as they say it helps with muscle and joint discomfort.
The American Kratom Association, the largest non-profit organization behind education and advocacy with the supplement, defines kratom as "A naturally occurring herbal supplement that behaves as a partial mu-opioid receptor antagonist and is used for pain management, energy, [and] even depression and anxiety"
"Kratom contains no opiates, but it does bind to the same receptor sites in the brain. Chocolate, coffee, exercise, and even human breast milk hit these receptor sites in a similar fashion."
Kratom Types and Strains
When shopping for kratom, it is common for you to see similar names on a lot of the products. (ex. Green Malay; Red Bali; White Borneo)
Traditionally, these names do actually represent information about the product that you are buying.
The color name, usually Red, Green, White, and Yellow, often represent at what life stage the original leaf was harvested from the plant.
White Vein is the youngest stage, and typically contains the fewest alkaloids for relief. However it is said to provide users with the most energy.
Green and Yellow Vein are more towards the middle to later stages (respectively) in the harvesting process. They contain a higher alkaloid content, but become somewhat less 'energizing.'
Red Vein is the latest stage is the harvesting process, these leaves are very mature and have a high alkaloid profile content. Reds are said to be the most popular with aiding discomfort, but they are also very relaxing.
The other part in your kratom name traditionally is going to be where in Southeast Asia your plant was grown in. Malay, Bali, Indo, Borneo, etc.
Keep in mind that while this is the traditional way names are given to strains, many distributors and stores will often name their product by means of popularity, and naming their items according to what will be most popular among their customers.