For anyone new to Kratom it’s always a good idea to have a few of the basics under your belt, like what Kratom is, where it comes from, and how is it processed.
Although this article concentrates primarily on Green Malay, all Kratom starts off life in the same way – as a humble leaf on a tropical tree. So it makes sense for us to start this article in the same place.
Native to Southeast Asia, the Kratom tree (for it is a tree and not a bush) is related to the coffee plant, but while the latter has enjoyed popularity in almost every home for centuries, Kratom has only recently come under the mainstream spotlight.
Grown for centuries (just like its caffeine-giving cousin), Kratom has been enjoyed by those in its native countries for about as long, and thankfully now it has made its way into the Western World, and with it, its host of benefits.
Because it is relatively new, however, it can be highly confusing for anyone new to the product to know how to use it, how to dose it, and what to expect – indeed, it can be confusing to even know which type to get in the first place, which is exactly why we have written this and many other articles.
Kratom
As we’ve already stated, Kratom is a tree that grows in Southeast Asia. Perfectly suited to the rich, moist soil, Kratom can grow to heights of around 100ft, although it is more usual to find trees that are around half that size – still an impressive height. With a spread of over 15ft, its green leaves are egg-shaped and come to a point at the tip. Evergreen – so they grow all year round – Kratom trees shed and grow their leaves constantly, providing an abundant harvest for farmers.
Traditionally used by manual laborers to keep them going on long days, it eventually made its way west as a natural product that could induce calmness and increase motivation, among other things, thanks to its naturally-occurring alkaloids.
Kratom is categorized by its vein color and the place it originated from, so Green Malay originated in Malaysia and is made from leaves which have been harvested while the veins are green. (It’s important to note that although a strain might originate from one place, it might actually grow in another.)
The Strains
We’ve mentioned the green vein of the Kratom leaf, but there are actually three main color classifications – red, green, and white. The interesting, and perhaps surprising thing to note is that all three can come from the same tree; the veins change color the longer they are left to mature, with white being the youngest leaves, red being the oldest, and green falling somewhere in-between.
While red vein Kratom increases positivity, peace, and calm, green vein Kratom has properties similar to what Indonesians used it for centuries ago – motivation, focus, and energy. The white, generally, is known for an all-over good feeling and optimism.
Of course, there are also mixes (also known as hybrids) which combine two strains to create a combination of the properties of both.
Green Malay
Green Malay is probably the hardiest of all strains as it can survive in even the most inhospitable of conditions. High in alkaloids – in particular mitragynine and 7 hydroxymitragynine – it is a great pick-me-up to keep you going when the going gets tough, and with longer-lasting benefits than many other strains, Green Malay is also one of the most cost-effective.
Getting the Dosage Right
Green Malay is a highly potent strain, which means that you must start small and build up gradually until you find the optimum aroma for you. As with any Kratom, there is no one size fits all amount, so it is imperative to gradually up incense amounts.
A suggested starting point is just one gram, increasing in half gram increments while keeping notes – even a Kratom journal – in which to keep track of weight and vibes.
Effects
Kratom is a contradictory little plant. With Green Malay, for instance, at amounts it will instil a sense of calm and tranquillity. So it would be feasible to expect that sense of Zen to increase as the amount grows. But actually, burning higher amounts will strengthen and enhance focus and drive. It won’t take you long to find your perfect level though, so as we’ve already said – start low and slow.
Storage
While Kratom started out life in the beautiful tropical sunshine of Southeast Asia, it much prefers the dark and cold when processed. That’s not to say it needs to be kept in sub-zero temperatures, but a cool, dark place is best, and it must be dry. Any hint of moisture will cause your supply to grow mold, and then it is only fit for binning.
Choose an airtight container and find a place where it’s not going to be exposed to fluctuating temperatures or sunlight. The fridge is a good idea, but a cellar or dark cupboard will work equally well.
Quality
Throughout our website you will find us laboring the point about quality control and testing. We are proud of our products and we adhere to a stringent testing regime that ensures that the Kratom you receive is of the best possible quality, and more importantly, safe.
Eliminating the risk of contaminants, including heavy metals, mold, and potentially dangerous pathogens should be high on any vendor’s list, but as with any industry there are sellers who want to make money at any cost without a thought for the end user. We use independent labs to regularly test our products, and every part of the process, from the farmer to the end result must pass our – and more importantly the lab’s – seal of approval before we will pass it on to you, the buyer.
Is It For Me?
Green Malay is the perfect first product if you are new to Kratom, and yet it is also a favorite among seasoned Kratom experts. With a long storage life and high levels of alkaloids, many people will stick to using Green Malay, although it is also the perfect first strain to try before moving on to try others.
So whether you are new to the scene or an old hand, give Green Malay a go if you haven’t already – you won’t regret it.