Kratom Guide for Beginners: 12 Kratom FAQs

When you’re new to kratom, it can feel a little complicated. There are dozens of product types, strains, product certifications, preparation methods, vendor choices, and varying state laws…

So we’ve created a kratom guide for beginners to make kratom (and in particular, kratom tea) much easier to understand.

Below, we’ll answer frequently asked questions about kratom—everything from where kratom comes from to how to choose between different kratom strains. It’s a one-stop shop for learning the basics of kratom.

Follow the “Learn More” links at the end of some sections to get more in-depth info about the topics we cover.

Kratom FAQs: Table of Contents

1. What Is Kratom?
2. Where Does Kratom Come From?
3. How Was Kratom Traditionally Used?
4. What Are Vein Colors and Strains?
5. What Does Kratom Tea Feel Like? How Much Should I Take?
6. What Is Kratom Tea?
7. Which Tea Is Right for You?
8. What Is the Best Time to Have Kratom?
9. When Should You Avoid Having Kratom?
10. How to Spot High-Quality vs. Low-Quality Kratom
11. Is Kratom Legal?
12. Is 7OH the same as kratom?

1. What Is Kratom?

Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is an evergreen tree native to Southeast Asia.

The trees grow wild in countries like Indonesia and Thailand. In the past few decades, farmers have also planted them for larger-scale commercial use.

Kratom is also the name people use for the wide range of products made with Mitragyna speciosa‘s leaves.

2. Where Does American Kratom Come From?

In the United States, the large majority of kratom companies source their kratom from Indonesia. There are also some companies that source their kratom from Thailand, but this isn’t very common yet, as it was illegal to export kratom from Thailand until 2021.

Additionally, there are a few companies (and university research groups) that grow kratom in warm regions of the U.S., like Hawaii and Florida. These are fledgling farms, though, and they don’t produce a significant amount of kratom.

3. How Was Kratom Originally Used?

Based on historical records, we know that people have consumed kratom leaves for at least a few hundred years. Traditionally, they’ve either chewed leaves or brewed them into a tea.

(In Thailand, people etched the recommended use of kratom on the walls of historic Buddhist temples and shadow puppet shows praise the benefits of the leaf.)

And now, kratom’s cultural importance has become global.

4. What Are Kratom Vein Colors and Strains?

The kratom industry has adopted a couple different methods for naming batches of kratom. The main two are:

1. Vein Colors:

   Typically, there are four colors used on kratom product labels: red, green, white, and yellow. Generally speaking, red vein kratom is often associated with a more calming effect, white vein is usually labeled as more energizing or focusing, and green vein tends to be somewhere in the middle.

   But, while any quality kratom product will likely have a noticeable impact on your mood and energy levels, that is usually related to the alkaloid content, not the vein color. The felt differences between products with different vein colors may largely be a placebo effect, promoted by the industry for marketing purposes.

   → Learn more about where vein colors originated.

2. Kratom Strains:

   Most kratom powder in the U.S. is sold with a strain name. These colorful names are often used like cannabis strains, with each promising a different origin or effect. Companies will tell you their “Super Green Malay” strain comes from Malaysia, “White Thai” comes from Thailand, and the “Trainwreck” strain is a blend of five very strong strains.

   But the truth is, for the most part, kratom strains are actually a fairy tale. Nearly all kratom in America is imported from a single region in Indonesia. Many kratom companies will take one large container of kratom powder, split it up into several different batches, and put a different strain label on each segment.

   A handful of companies are more scientific about their strain names. They’ll test each batch for potency, and every strong batch will be given the name “Maeng Da” while weaker batches will be called “Thai” or “Borneo.” But logical strain naming like this is the exception in the kratom industry, not the rule.

   → Learn more about strain names and how to pick the right one (despite all the BS)

Keep in mind: the effects you get from kratom depend primarily on how the kratom was processed, where it was grown, how much kratom you consume, and your own body chemistry.

That’s why we focus less on veins and strains and more on factors like serving size when discussing how different products will affect you.

→ Learn More: The inside scoop on why Top Tree stopped using strain names years ago.

5. What Does Kratom Feel Like? How Much Should I Take?

Kratom leaves contain a range of active compounds called alkaloids which are responsible for the majority of the leaves’ effects.

The amount of alkaloids in each kratom batch varies, just like the amount of caffeine in a particular batch of coffee beans varies. So the effects of each batch aren’t exactly the same, though overall they’re very similar.

• Smaller Amounts:

  Most people report that smaller amounts of kratom feel energizing and motivating. Smaller amounts can support focus for work, similar to a cup of coffee. (But unlike coffee, kratom usually doesn’t make you feel jittery or on edge in the way caffeine might.)

• Larger Amounts:

  Many people find that larger amounts of kratom can support physical comfort and relaxation. It may also provide a buzz similar to that of alcohol, but with less cloudiness.

• Too-Large Amounts:

  Moderation is key with kratom. Just like with coffee and caffeine, if you consume more than your body is used to, the effects can quickly go from beneficial to unpleasant. At the extremes, people report feeling hot, nauseous, or dizzy. These effects may be referred to as “the wobbles.”

Keep in mind that a “small” or “moderate” amount of kratom isn’t the same for every person. This depends on factors like your weight, metabolism, experience level, and the other supplements and medications you consume.

→ Learn More: Kratom Serving Size & Effect Guide

→ Learn More: Research Survey On Kratom Use and Effects

6. What Is Kratom Tea?

Kratom tea is made by steeping kratom leaves in very hot water, much like you would with any herbal tea.

It might sound straightforward, but people throw around the term in all kinds of ways—and we’ve got some feelings about that.

We’re probably the only ones losing sleep over the semantics, but in our view, what most people in the U.S. call “kratom tea” doesn’t really measure up to our version of kratom tea.

In Southeast Asia, brewing tea is one of the oldest and most traditional ways to prepare kratom. But when kratom first caught on in the U.S., most people didn’t have access to fresh or dried leaves. Instead, they got powdered kratom, usually imported in bulk from Indonesia, and either tossed it back with water (called “toss and wash”), or they stirred the powder into hot liquids and called it tea. The result? A “tea” that’s gritty, bitter, and overall not very pleasant.

When our team talks about kratom tea, we’re referring to steeped and filtered preparations made with fresh leaves or crushed leaves (in tea bags or loose leaf form), as opposed to the powder-and-water mixtures that many people make. Making a steeped tea has a lot of perks, not the least of which is how much better it tastes compared to powder.

→ Learn More: The Drink We Call Kratom Tea ≠ the Drink They Call Kratom Tea

→ Learn More: How to Make Kratom Tea: Simple & Comprehensive Guide

7. Which Type of Kratom Is Right for You?

For starters, don’t worry too much about strains! As we mentioned above, brands mostly fabricate strain names for marketing purposes. They aren’t consistent between brands, so a strain name usually won’t tell you much about a particular product’s effects.

Your ideal kratom type will depend on your body, your goals, and your routine.

For example, if you’re always on the run, you may want to get capsules or other pre-measured products instead of loose powder. If you want to use your kratom more slowly and intentionally, tea bags or loose leaf tea might be right for you.

8. When Is the Best Time to Have Kratom?

There are many times throughout a day where kratom tea or other kratom products might be appropriate. It’s a pretty flexible brew, good for different purposes in different amounts.

Here are popular times people have kratom:

• Before work as an alternative to coffee
• During the classic post-lunch midday slump to re-focus or reset
• In the evening to decompress after a very long day or a lot of physical activity
• Before a workout to support motivation and energy during exercise (be careful when having kratom before physical activity though, because it could mask some discomfort from overuse or injury)
• As an alcohol alternative on nights out
• Before bed* (*Some people like to have kratom to sleep, but others find that kratom keeps them awake, so you may not want to have kratom within 5-6 hours of your bedtime, at least when you’re new to it and are still figuring out exactly how different amounts affect you.)

→ Learn More: What Is Kratom Tea Good For?

→ Learn More: How to Use Kratom as a Pre-Workout

9. When Should You Avoid Having Kratom?

There are a few times you will want to avoid kratom or be very cautious when having it (unless you’ve cleared it with a health care professional first):

• Before driving or operating machinery, especially if you’re completely new to kratom, trying a new product, or using a larger amount than usual
• When you’re feeling nauseous, overheated, or dizzy; kratom can worsen that for some people
• Right before bed if you’ve noticed it keeps you alert
• On an empty stomach if you’re prone to stomach upset (many people prefer a light snack or meal first)
• When drinking alcohol or having other sedating substances (e.g., sleep aids); stacking supplements with certain drugs can be risky and lead to unexpected effects
• When having stimulants (high-caffeine drinks, certain ADHD medications, decongestants) if you’re sensitive to jitters, rapid heart rate, or anxiety
• If you’re taking medications that make you drowsy or affects alertness
• If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, it’s recommended to avoid all kratom and kratom-derived products, as safety data is limited
• If you have a history of dependency issues and you notice you’re “needing” it, if you’re escalating use, or are using it to avoid withdrawal from something else, it’s a good moment to reassess and get support
• During endurance exercise if you’re relying on pain signals to pace yourself; some people avoid it because it can make you less aware of overuse or dehydration cues

10. How to Spot High-Quality vs. Low-Quality Kratom

This section is important! Just like with coffee, cannabis, multivitamins, or other supplements, the quality of different kratom products varies widely.

Here are features to look out for that typically indicate a product is HIGH quality:

• Tested for potency, with product strength clearly marked on the package
• Tested for contaminants to ensure the product doesn’t have unsafe levels of microbes or heavy metals
• Food-safe packaging, properly sealed and protected from the elements
• Clear labeling with serving sizes, use recommendations, and safety disclaimers

Here are features to look out for that typically indicate a product is LOW quality:

• No testing for potency, or the company claims they do testing but don’t list the strength on the package
• No testing for contaminants — may have unsafe levels of microbes, lead, and other metals
• Cheap packaging that doesn’t fully seal, or that allows light and moisture to get in
• No serving size or use recommendations listed
• No caution statements

Avoid vendors who make overblown promises or don’t disclose what’s in the container. Good-quality kratom shouldn’t feel like a mystery purchase.

It might cost a bit more to find high-quality kratom. Thorough lab testing and good labeling are expensive, so the cost of making tested, well-labeled products is higher.

But it’s usually worth it, because low-quality kratom can have short-term and long-term health consequences. And high-quality kratom doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Many companies offer bulk discounts and subscription discounts.

→ Learn More: Guide to Kratom Quality: 5 Must-Haves of High-Quality Kratom

→ Learn More: Find more info on kratom legality in this guide to kratom legality in all 50 states. For more in-depth info, we also have a few more comprehensive articles on kratom news and laws in certain states.

12. Is 7OH the Same as Kratom?

No, 7OH is not equivalent to kratom.

7OH (also sometimes called 7-OH or just 7) is short for 7-hydroxymitragynine. In plain kratom leaf, 7-OH is present only in trace amounts.

But chemists have found a way to extract mitragynine from kratom leaves and convert it into 7OH, meaning they can produce products with relatively huge amounts of it—far more than you’d ever find in plain kratom leaves.

(Think of it like Δ9-THCP: it’s a cannabinoid that shows up in trace amounts in cannabis flower. But manufacturers can synthesize it to make highly potent vapes, which provide a very different experience than plain bud.)

→ Learn More: The Problems with 7OH (but Why We Still Shouldn’t Call it Legal Morphine)

→ Learn More: Guide to Kratom Alkaloids and Brewing Chemistry

Have More Questions? Give Us a Shout!

Learning about kratom for the first time can be more than you bargained for. It’s a culturally rich plant with a politically charged history; people frequently misunderstand it, and some praise it and use it without proper precautions.

If you’re ready to get started with kratom, that’s awesome, but if you still have questions after reading through the FAQs, that’s totally normal.

Our team is always available by phone or email to help you have a great experience with kratom, so please don’t hesitate to contact us with more Qs.

Until next time, cheers to better brewing.