Kratom, a plant native to Southeast Asia, has been used for centuries due to its unique properties. The leaves of the kratom plant contain alkaloids that produce a wide range of effects, from energizing and mood-boosting to relaxing and calming. The different types of kratom provide different experiences, making it important to choose the right strain for your needs.
What Determines Kratom’s Effects?
Several factors combine to create each kratom strain's unique effects. These include vein color, regional origin, and processing methods.
Vein Color
Kratom leaves are categorized by vein color: red, green, and white. Yellow kratom, though not naturally occurring, is a blend of these colors. The vein color helps determine the effects of the strain, with each color providing a different experience.
Regional Origins
Kratom grows throughout Southeast Asia, and the unique growing conditions in different countries influence the alkaloid profiles of the strains. Popular strains include Maeng Da, Bali, Borneo, Malay, and Thai kratom.
Processing Methods
Kratom leaves are dried before being processed into extracts, gummies, capsules, and other products. The method of drying can affect the final product, with indoor drying preserving the alkaloids and outdoor drying leading to more relaxing effects.
The Four Main Types of Kratom Based on Vein Color
Although several factors influence kratom’s effects, the four main types are broken down by vein color. Vein color is one of the main ways to tell what type of experience you’ll have with a particular strain of kratom.
Red Vein Kratom
When kratom leaves fully mature, they develop red veins. These mature leaves have the highest alkaloid content, and they’re especially high in 7-hydroxymitragynine — the primary body-soothing alkaloid in kratom.
Red vein kratom is the most relaxing type. It’s ideal for quieting your mind after a long day, supporting healthy sleep, and achieving a general sense of calm. Because of their calming properties, strains like Red Bali and Red Maeng Da are popular for nighttime use.
Green Vein Kratom
When they first begin to mature, kratom leaves develop green veins. At this point in the maturity cycle, kratom has relatively equal amounts of relaxing and energizing alkaloids, leading to balanced, versatile effects suitable for any time of day.
When you use green vein strains, such as Green Malay, you’ll feel a nice blend of physical energy and a clear, calm mind. You can take it in the morning before work or in the afternoon for calm focus during errands.
Because of its balanced effects, green vein kratom is often an excellent strain for beginners.
White Vein Kratom
If you want to use kratom to replace your morning cup of coffee, opt for white vein kratom. Kratom leaves have white veins before they begin to mature and when they have the highest content of mitragynine — a stimulating alkaloid.
White vein kratom strains boost your energy and enhance your focus. Most people take white vein kratom in the morning for a quick energy boost or in the early afternoon to keep them productive throughout the day.
How to Select the Best Kratom for Your Needs
Whether you’re looking to improve your focus and energy during the day or relax at night before you go to sleep, there’s a kratom strain that’s perfect for you.
For Energy and Focus
If you want a quick, jitter-free energy boost and better focus, we recommend white vein kratom. White vein kratom is the most energizing variety, but it can be overstimulating for some people.
If you’re looking for a nice combination of physical energy and mental clarity, try green vein kratom instead.
For Relaxation and Calmness
Red vein kratom is the best variety for general relaxation. It also has some body-soothing properties, making it an ideal choice for improved sleep.
For Balanced Effects
Green vein kratom offers a nice balance of relaxation and focus enhancement.
If you want more uplifting effects than relaxing effects, choose a yellow vein kratom with some white vein content. If you’re looking for relaxation without too much energy, select a yellow vein kratom that isn’t made with any white vein species.
Tips for Using Kratom
After you select your kratom strain, you’ll need to decide how you want to use it. From suggested servings to unique, custom blends, we’ll highlight our best tips for a positive kratom experience.
Serving Guidelines
Whatever strain of kratom you choose, the golden rule is to start with a small dose. Beginners should start with a 1g serving, then increase as necessary to get the desired effects.
Starting low and gradually increasing your serving will help you understand more about how your body responds to kratom, giving you the best, most beneficial experience possible.
Consumption Methods
There are many ways to consume kratom. Kratom tablets and capsules are popular among beginners — you can take one with your daily multivitamin and get a consistent serving each time.
If you prefer fruity flavors over kratom’s natural flavor, try one of our Kratom Gummies (available in three tasty flavors) or Liquid Kratom Shots — available in your choice of lemon or zen berry.
For strain-specific kratom, try Koi’s Kratom Capsules in White Maeng Da, Red Bali and Green Malay.
FAQs: Types of Kratom
Still have a couple of questions about the different types of kratom? Here are some of the most common queries and their answers.
What is the Best Type of Kratom for Beginners?
Green vein kratom is often a great choice for beginners. These strains offer a good balance of effects that allow you to find the experience that works best for you.
Conclusion
Kratom offers a range of effects depending on the strain you choose. Red kratom is great for relaxation, white for energy, and green and yellow for a balanced experience. If you're looking for high-quality kratom products, Koi Kratom offers a range of premium options to suit your needs. Always stick to the recommended serving size and explore the different strains to find the best fit for your lifestyle.