Kratom Extracts

As kratom consumption grew globally, an array of kratom products were created, like powders, capsules, and tablets. All of these methods of consumption are utilizing the raw form of the kratom plant with minimal processing. 

Although the raw leaf is quite effective and kratom capsules, powders, and teas account for most kratom usage, some kratom users sought something stronger and more potent, so kratom extracts were created. 

What is Kratom?

Kratom is a tropical evergreen tree formally named Mitragyna speciosa. This member of the coffee family offers both opioid and stimulant-like effects thanks to its active ingredient: Mitragynine. Native to Southeast Asia, where it grows wild, it has been used in herbal medicine since at least the nineteenth century.

Kratom is consumed in many different ways. Traditionally, in locales such as Thailand, Vietnam, Borneo, and Indonesia, kratom leaves are chewed or made into tea.

Street names for kratom include kakuam, biak, ketum, thang, and thom.

What Are Kratom Strains?

All kratom in the US market is grown in Indonesia today, despite kratom strain names, which can be a reach. Although Indo kratom and Borneo kratom may roughly be in the right neighborhood, if it’s all from the same region, is it all really the same? And what about vein color?

Although kratom is often sold similarly to cannabis, like “strains,” the variability in the current kratom market is more like different “batches.” At Super Speciosa, we still use the “strain” terminology to accommodate the public, but we also refer to varieties, each one representing a distinct batch of kratom.

We grade each batch of kratom by mitragynine content and color, and name them based on these two factors. The Super Speciosa signature products are Kratom Powder and Kratom Tea (made from crushed leaf). We rarely sell kratom containing less than 1.0% mitragynine, and if we do, there will be a disclaimer on the product. 

Green vein kratom varieties are the lightest green in color and red is the darkest. White vein is usually in between, but may be just as dark as red vein varieties.

Are Kratom and Extracts Legal?

It depends on where you are. If you’re in Denver, you’re in great shape! If you live in Wisconsin, watch out, there’s a ban in place. And if you’re in San Diego, you have to wait and see what happens. Check the map for legal developments.

History of Plant Extracts

Kratom is just one of the hundreds of plants that are created into extracts. The use of extractions on botanicals and herbs have been part of human history for centuries. Even today, various modern medicines utilize plant extracts as a key ingredient.

Coffee, Tea, and Cacao

Herbal tea and coffee, which use the simplest extraction method of using hot or boiling water, have been a part of numerous indigenous cultures around the world. Tea was made and consumed in Ancient China for its various health properties, and commercial cultivation of coffee began in Ethiopia and Yemen in the 9th century. The Aztec nobility even created their own concentrated form of beverages out of cocoa beans and other various herbs. All of the ancient cultures have used methods to extract stimulants like caffeine, theophylline, and theobromine which are the active compounds in tea, coffee, and cocoa.

Intoxicants

Making intoxicants such as beer and wine also employs an extracting process. These drinks have been a part of human culture for thousands of years. One of the first reports of beer and wine-making have been shown in ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, nearly 7,000 years ago. 

As historical evidence shows, botanical extraction is an ancient practice. Now with modern technology, this process has expanded, paving the way for kratom extracts.

Source

What is Kratom Extract?

Kratom contains phytochemicals called alkaloids. These alkaloids are responsible for kratom’s effects. Kratom extracts concentrate these alkaloids, creating a potent kratom product. There are multiple different extraction methods. Usually, large amounts of powder are concentrated and reduced. For example, 25 grams of powder can be concentrated into 1 gram of extract, creating a powerful and strong product.

Some methods isolate specific alkaloids, like pure mitragynine, which is the most abundant alkaloid in kratom. More popular methods extract all alkaloids, creating a full-spectrum kratom extract.

Extracts come in many different forms:

• Kratom powder products can themselves be more concentrated extracts
• Tinctures are a liquid form of kratom that use either alcohol-based or water-based extraction methods
• Resin is a thick kratom paste made from kratom extract powder
• Tea is a simple extraction method utilizing kratom powder or crushed leaf and steeping in boiling water
• Gummies in delicious flavors infused with kratom extracts mask the taste

Some people use synthetic alkaloids, but they should be avoided. Super Speciosa never uses synthetics in any of its products.

Kratom Extraction Methods

There are multiple ways to make kratom extracts. First, the kratom leaves must be harvested and dried. Once the drying process is complete, the leaves are ground into a fine powder. Then, the extracts are created using large amounts of kratom powder. 

The most common extraction method is boiling down water with kratom until a thick paste is left. This paste is dried and then turned into kratom powder. 

The following are other methods of kratom extraction:

High Pressure/Cold Water Extraction

The main components of this extraction are distilled water, ice, and agitation. This method requires specific machinery to execute but is essentially the “cleanest” way to extract kratom alkaloids without using any solvents like alcohol or CO². 

Water and Alcohol-Based Extraction

In a water-based extraction, raw kratom powder is mixed in ethanol alcohol and water solution, or simply just water. Citric acid is also added to preserve the extract. 

Once thoroughly mixed, the powder is stored in a cool dark place to steep. This is where the extraction process begins. The powder is left to steep for 1-2 weeks. Then, it is strained, then the liquid is evaporated and reduced by half of the original amount. The end product is a thick liquid mixture, known as a kratom tincture.

The kratom tincture is stored in dark or amber glass bottles to preserve the extract. Glycerin may also be added to stabilize the acidity.

Kratom Tea

Making kratom tea is one of the easiest, simplest ways of extracting alkaloids from kratom. However, the effects of kratom tea may not be as strong as other kratom extracts. To make kratom tea, simply add a tea packet or kratom powder to hot water and allow it to steep for at least 15 minutes. The longer the kratom steeps, the more concentrated the tea will be.

Kratom Extract Serving Size

Kratom extract is a highly concentrated product and a small serving will go a long way. When you buy kratom extracts, they are usually categorized by potency and by how concentrated the product is. Some brands may label their potency as “25x” and “50x.” This means that 1 gram of extract uses 25 or 50 grams of dried kratom leaf powder. Other brands may categorize the product based on mitragynine content.

If the kratom extract is 10% mitragynine, it has 10 times the amount of mitragynine that is found in raw kratom products. A typical serving size for regular kratom powder is 2.4 grams, which can range from 1.0-1.6% mitragynine levels. Therefore, when taking extracts, you will need only 0.25 grams to achieve similar effects. Tolerance levels, physiology, and ultimately personal preference will be factors in how much extract to take. 

Always check the label for instructions and follow the suggested serving size. Kratom extracts are much stronger than the average kratom powder, so approach your desired serving size carefully. Start with a small serving size and gradually increase it until you find your desired effect.

Storing Kratom Extract

The best kratom storage method generally is in a dark glass container, away from direct sunlight or heat, and this is true for kratom extract as well. You can store it in a cool, dark place or in the fridge for prolonged freshness. Make sure it is an air-tight container where no moisture can get in. Just like any other dietary supplement, kratom extract is a natural product and it can degrade.

Comparing Kratom Products

Kratom extracts are just one of the many forms of kratom that are available in the market. Let’s compare them to other similar offerings, whether well-known or new products, to help choose what may be the right one for you.

Kratom Extract vs Kratom Shots

Kratom extract shots are typically found in gas stations or convenience stores and are similar to caffeine energy shots. Ingredients vary from brand to brand, but liquid kratom shots are typically made by mixing an energy drink with kratom extract. The main difference between regular extract and shots of liquid kratom extract is the ingredients. Kratom extract is created using only a handful of ingredients, such as ethanol as a solvent, or water and an acid to steep and extract. Kratom shots, on the other hand, contain a long list of ingredients and additives such as:

• Caffeine
• L-theanine
• Passionflower powder
• Artificial stabilizers and flavors
• Other herbal extracts

Furthermore, kratom shots tend to only contain a concentration of mitragynine, while kratom extracts can contain a full spectrum of alkaloids. Therefore, the full benefits of kratom will not be experienced with kratom shots. 

It may also be risky to mix kratom extract with other substances that are often found in liquid kratom shots. Studies have shown that some shots contained over 8000 times the normal level of mitragynine found in kratom shots compared to natural raw kratom. This highly concentrated and unnatural level of alkaloids, mixed with caffeine and other synthetic ingredients can be hazardous and should be taken with extreme caution. It is always important to speak to your physician before starting a new substance. 

For a positive kratom experience, careful shopping is essential. Since kratom extract and kratom shots are not regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), it is very important to choose a trustworthy and reputable vendor. Especially with the long list of ingredients in liquid kratom shots, there may be hidden or harmful ingredients. Make sure to purchase from a reputable company that is certified by the American Kratom Association, so that there are quality control measures in place, as well as Good Manufacturing Practices. This assures that there are no synthetic alkaloids or illegal substances that may be used to “spike” the potency of the extract, as well as ensures the product is properly lab tested for contaminants and harmful bacteria. 

Kratom Extract vs. Kratom Powder

Kratom users can enjoy the effects of kratom with either extract or powder. The better way will ultimately come down to personal preference. 

Beginners, especially those who have never tried kratom before, should start off using powder to get familiar with kratom. As kratom use will build a tolerance over time, kratom consumers may resort to taking extract to get a boost in effects. Even so, kratom connoisseurs who have been taking kratom for years still prefer it in powder form. Kratom powder is available in numerous strains. Kratom powder is also less expensive than extract, plus it’s enjoying kratom in its natural form with minimal processing and only one ingredient: Mitragyna speciosa.

On the other hand, kratom extract is a lot stronger than kratom powder. It is fast-acting and easier to digest, as it filters out the excess plant material. While some people may need to take a large serving size with powder, they will only need a small serving with extract to get similar, if not stronger, effects. Kratom extract can be carried in a small bottle or package for easy on-the-go usage, while kratom powder can be messy to prepare and not ideal while on the road. 

The effects of kratom powder can vary from strain to strain and batch to batch since each has a unique alkaloid profile. Kratom extracts usually have the same alkaloid level for each product, so the effects are most likely consistent. Reputable companies will have a lab test to go with every batch that will indicate the alkaloid levels, so users can double-check to make sure. Consistent alkaloid levels mean the serving size should not vary as much as kratom powder products. 

Conclusion

Kratom extracts can be useful to the experienced kratom user. If you’re looking for a strong, potent kratom product, this may be the right one for you. 

Always be diligent when finding a trustworthy kratom extract vendor and do your research. 

Make sure the company has:

• Verified lab tests for every batch
• Proper labels, such as a clear indication of mitragynine content, a list of ingredients, and expiration date
• Proper certifications and standards to ensure quality products and safety