Differences in Kratom Strains
Some names such as Super Indo, Malay and Borneo correspond to different regions. They likely indicate the region the kratom was harvested from. It would make sense that there could be variations in alkaloid levels because of different growing conditions such as soil and weather conditions. However, there are no studies or analysis that I'm aware of that shows a consistent alkaloid profile within those strains, or that they differ significantly from other strains.
Most kratom strains are harvested from the Indonesian portion of the island of Borneo, which is also called Kalimantan. Most kratom could be called Borneo or Indo. From suppliers I've talked to, Bali, Thai, Malay, Vietnam etc. are made with leaves harvested from Borneo or Sumatra. Every supplier has their own recipe. Some Malay could be leaves harvested in the Indonesian portion of Borneo/Kalimantan near the border with the Malaysian portion.
Elephant kratom has been said to get its name because of the larger leaves. This is how it has gotten its name. Elephant leaves are NOT a different species or “strain”, they are simply large leaves.
Gold and yellow have been said to be red (gold) and green or white (yellow) vein leaves that have been dried in the sun. Depending on the supplier the drying time does vary from 2 to 3 days.There has been some indication that the differences between strains, and the different vein colors, is in the drying and processing, ie. drying outdoors vs indoors, in light or in darkness, etc. Depending how the process is done makes a difference.
There was one study that indicated that under the right conditions exposure to sunlight could convert a very small percentage of mitragynine to 7-OHM. However, recent papers on kratom have questioned whether 7-OHM actually plays a role in kratom's effects. Kratom contains just trace amounts of 7-OHM, and some doesn't contain any. The amounts are so low that to study 7-OHM they have to synthesize it, because they can't get enough from extracting it from kratom. One paper from last fall indicated that the amount of 7-OHM in an 8g dose of kratom was a fraction of the threshold dose for analgesia (the smallest dose where some effect on pain was measured). Every other opioid agonist that we know of, begins to produce analgesia at lower doses than it products psychoactive effects.
This isn't all bad though, because recent studies are showing that 7-OHM is very potent and while it doesn't appear to produce respiratory depression, it does appear to have a similar potential for addiction as morphine. In contrast, unadulterated kratom leaf, with it's trace levels of 7-OHM, shows very little potential for addiction, similar to mitragynine.
Vein color does seem to make a difference. One study from Thailand indicates that there are red vein and white vein leaves, and that the white have a stronger effect. Some Indonesian suppliers have indicated that there are red and green vein leaves, and that green are by far the most abundant. Some trees only get green vein leaves, and some also get red vein leaves. White may be a lighter variation of green, and there are plenty of pictures showing red, green and whitish veined leaves growing on the same tree. Some claim red vein are the oldest and white the youngest, but there are also plenty of pictures showing leaves budding out with red veins. The ratio of different vein colors on the tree seems to depend on soil, sunlight and other growing conditions.
We do know that all kratom contains mitragynine, and it makes up around 66% of the alkaloid content. One study found a big difference in mitragynine percentages between kratom from Thailand and Malaysia. However, that doesn't mean much since our kratom isn't coming from either of those places.
Each batch of kratom can vary from one person to another, and even day by day to the same person. Each batch is made up of different leaves and likely leaves from different trees, mostly harvested from wild trees in the forest, or trees left when the forest was cleared for other crops and on plantations it is different as well. The soil and the climate conditions do make a big difference. Also when the plant is harvested is a factor along with the drying process.
Everyone is different for which type is preferred. At MitraSpec we strive to carry the best quality kratom at affordable prices. We do what we do because we deeply care for all our customers. We have a long standing relationship with our supplier and know the process on how the kratom is harvested and take pride in providing the best quality kratom.
