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Though kratom has been popular in Southeast Asia for centuries, it’s still fairly new to the U.S. If you’ve been thinking of giving it a try, you’re probably perplexed as to where to start. After all, there are hundreds of kratom varieties on the market, spanning different product types, vein colors, strains, and cultivars.
The good news is that you don’t have to sift through dozens of strains to find one that suits you. There are a few universally beloved varieties that work well for beginners and can serve as an excellent introduction to the world of kratom.
Kratom 101
Before we get into the specific types of kratom, there are a couple of other deciding factors you have to understand. The first is vein color and the second is product type.
Vein Color
Kratom products are typically divided among white, green, and red varieties. As kratom leaves reach different stages of maturity, the leaves take on different colors. Young, immature leaves have a whitish hue, while the most mature leaves have a reddish hue and green falls in the middle. All three varieties are suitable for beginners; it just depends on what you’re hoping to achieve.
- White-vein kratom is known for its energizing aroma. Many users report that it helps with motivation, productivity, and focus. For this reason, it’s sometimes recommended for daytime use.
- Red-vein kratom is known for being relaxing. Some people use it to unwind at the end of the day or to soothe their body.
- Green-vein kratom offers balanced effects and is sometimes recommended for all-day use. It’s not overly energizing or calming, but it may inspire a heightened sense of well-being.
Whether you buy kratom online or at your local retail store, it’s best to choose your vein color based on the effects you hope to achieve.
Product Type
Once you have your desired color in mind, you’ll also have to choose a product type. Kratom products are commonly available in powder form, capsule form, and leaf (tea) form. Some manufacturers also offer specialty products like gummies and extracts.
Capsules work well for beginners because you don’t have to measure how much you use. It’s already done for you. The same goes for gummies and similar products. Powders can also work well because they’re extremely versatile.
Almost any type of kratom product can work well for beginners except for extracts. Extracts are highly concentrated, meaning that most of the plant matter has been removed so that you just get a potent blast of pure alkaloids. For this reason, extracts are only recommended for experienced kratom connoisseurs.
The Best Kratom Strains for Beginners
The next thing you’ll need to decide on is the strain. Most kratom strains are named for their geographic location of origin—for instance, Bali kratom, Borneo kratom, Sumatra kratom, Indo (for Indonesia), Malay (for Malaysia), etc. There are some exceptions to this rule, most notably Maeng Da kratom. Maeng Da is actually a Thai variety, the name of which loosely translates to “pimp-grade.”
If you’re looking for a great beginner strain, consider the following.
1. Green-Vein Kratom (All Varieties)
There are a lot of excellent green-vein kratom strains: Green Malay, Green Thai, Green-Vein Sumatra. The one thing they all have in common is a balanced profile of effects that are more diverse and milder than their red- and white-veined counterparts. They’re slightly energizing but also relaxing. They can soothe your body and also help you focus. This is why green strains are commonly recommended as starter strains.
2. Red Bali
Red Bali kratom is one of the most popular strains available. If you’re looking for relaxing effects, Red Bali is a good choice because it typically offers these benefits but on a milder scale than other red varieties like Red Malay and Red Kali. Red Maeng Da is another good pick if you’re seeking stronger effects from kratom, though Red Bali is the recommended place to start.
3. White Borneo
If you want something for energy and focus that won’t have you climbing the walls, White Borneo is a good pick. Borneo and Bali strains are known for producing effects that are less intense but longer-lasting than your average strain, making them ideal for beginners.
Kratom Tips for Beginners
If you’re new to kratom, choosing the right strain is only part of the equation. You also have to consider how much you use. Requirements can vary based on your unique biological factors, but for the typical beginner, it’s recommended that you start with no more than 2 to 6 grams.
In addition, kratom can negatively interact with certain drugs like antidepressants, opiates, alpha-blockers, and ACE inhibitors, so it’s important to talk to your doctor if you’re on any existing medications.
If you’re new to kratom and you want to achieve the best possible experience, just remember to consider the effects you’re looking for, choose your strains accordingly, and start low and slow. As long as you do that, you should be pleasantly surprised by what this unique botanical can do.