The “Kratom”, or Mitragyna speciosa, tree is native to the tropical regions of Southeast Asia, and is related to the coffee plant. Derivatives of kratom leaves have been used in traditional herbal medicine in Southeast Asia and Oceana.
The primary effects of kratom come from the presence of the alkaloids mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-HMG). 7-HMG and mitragynine partially bind to human opioid receptors. This can act as a stimulant at low concentrations, and a painkiller at higher levels. Mitragynine also acts on adrenergic receptors, inhibiting the release of adrenaline, which creates an anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) effect. The relative presence of 7-HMG and mitragynine differentiate kratom strains.
Kratom is categorized by color and region, and sometimes by the variant or subspecies of the tree. A regional variant can be grown in other regions – for example, due to strict Malayasian laws, most Malay kratom is grown in Thailand.
Color is determined by the color of the “veins” of the leaf. Generally the more white the color, the younger and/or less processed the leaf is. Redder veins indicate more mature leaves, which generally possess higher alkaloid content and are therefore stronger.
Kratom Color Chart
The mix of color, region, and variant or ’strain’ can make understanding kratom a challenge to outsiders. However, color is consistent across regions and is a good place to start:
White Vein Kratom has lower 7-HMG concentrations and are better for energy boosting
Green Vein Kratom is in between white and red, providing a balanced effect
Red Vein Kratom has high levels of 7-HMG for a strong painkilling effects
Yellow or “Golden” Kratom is created through a complex, traditional drying process that concentrate alkaloids, making this the strongest kratom strain
Where Kratom Is Grown
Bali – the famous Indonesian vacation destination boasts a rainforest climate and relatively well-developed tourist infrastructure that produces some of the highest-quality kratom available to overseas consumers.
Malaysia – this strict country outlaws kratom, but Malay Kratom has been imported to neighbors like Thailand
Thailand – a fast-developing country with a long history of kratom use, Thailand produces many varieties of kratom. Thai Kratom is often processed into capsules or extracts for local and Western markets.
Indonesia (non-Bali) – Indonesia is the largest country on this list, and the largest exporter of kratom, though quality varies. Indonesian kratom is often referred to as “Indo”.
Kratom color, region, and strain interplay in unique ways. The following Kratom Effects Chart identifies the expected effects of different strains of kratom at the same dosage.
Kratom Effects Chart
Bali Gold Kratom
Gold Maeng Da Kratom
Green Bali Kratom
Green Indo Kratom
Green Thai Kratom
Green Borneo Kratom
Green Maeng Da Kratom
Green Malay Kratom
Red Indo Kratom
Red Bali Kratom
Red Thai Kratom
Red Ketapang Kratom
Red Maeng Da Kratom
White Indo Kratom
White Maeng Da Kratom
Please note: Kratom is known to have a potential for overdose, and kratom is not legal in some parts of the world. All the information in this article is for entertainment purposes only. Consult with a physician before taking kratom. If you have any questions, please reach out to us – hello@the-unwinder.com.
