Kratom 101: What You Need to Know
New to kratom? We break down the basics — what it is, the difference between red, green, and white vein strains, how people typically use it, and what to look for when buying.
Kratom is one of the categories we get the most questions about. It's also one where buying from the right shop genuinely matters. Here's a plain-English walkthrough of what kratom is, the different strain colors, and what to look for when you're buying.
Kratom comes from the leaves of the Mitragyna speciosa tree, native to Southeast Asia. The leaves are dried and processed into powders, capsules, and extracts. The plant has been used traditionally for centuries; in the US it's available as a botanical supplement.
Red vein strains are the most popular for evening use. Customers tell us they're the most relaxing.
Green vein sits in the middle — many people use green as an all-day strain.
White vein is the most stimulating of the three. Daytime / morning users gravitate here.
What to look for when buying: third-party lab testing (Certificates of Analysis), AKA-GMP qualified vendors, and a shop that can answer specific questions about the strain you're picking up. At Take Flight, every kratom product we carry comes with available COAs — ask at the counter and we'll show you the lab results before you buy.
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