Forms and types of Mitragyna speciosa Kratom

The following common forms and preparations of “true” Mitragyna speciosa Kratom can be distinguished: Leaf form Kratom Traditional Kratom users of Thailand and Malaysia distinguish between different types of Kratom, the two main varieties being distinguished by the colour leaf’s veins – which are either red (red veined Kratom) or green/white (most often referred to simply as white veined Kratom). The green/white-veined variety of Kratom is supposed to have a stronger effect. One survey of...

The Internet fuelled a globalisation of Kratom’s availability, and has also lead to some mistakes or even abuse by vendors. Fake Kratom is said to have been widely sold in the past, notably under the name "mellow gold", which was one of the first imports of what was thought to be Mitragyna speciosa Kratom leaf, but found to be misidentified. The product was alleged to be Kratom imported from Myanmar (where Kratom is currently illegal), yet the leaves did not match common botanical...

With the development of Kratom trade, some Kratom “strains” or denominations have become common. These strain names were created or chosen according to a wide range of factors, such as actual geography / production area, physical appearance, or estimations of grade and potency for instance. Some Kratom denominations are more accepted than others are representing actual qualitative differences, whereas some are little more than commercial sales pitches. Here is a list of some of these...

The term Kratom refers to the Mitragyna speciosa tree, but also mainly to this tree’s leaves when used as a psychoactive or medicine, and their derived products such as crude extracts. The most common acceptance is that Kratom refers specifically to Mitragyna speciosa. Yet due to regional (nature of the area where Kratom is grown) and seasonal (time of the year when the leaves are picked) variations and preparations, different “types” of Mitragyna speciosa Kratom can be distinguished.