One of the most popular natural herbal supplements today, kratom is well-known in the Western community for its wide range of benefits. Mitragyna speciosa is a tree in the Rubiaceae family, the same family with coffee. Native to southeast Asia, kratom has been traditionally used by the local community for gatherings, traditional ceremonies, and for various ailments such as insomnia, pain, anxiety and more. As its popularity grew exponentially, there are now more kratom products available which can add to the confusion for kratom beginners. This article discusses the pros and cons between kratom powder and kratom leaf.
Kratom Powder
Kratom powder is the bread and butter of the kratom industry. It was initially created as importers and exporters were looking for a way to introduce kratom to other parts of the world. This could not be done through fresh kratom leaves as it can be challenging to keep it fresh making it more expensive. For this reason, fresh kratom leaves are harvested, dried, and crushed into fine powder. This helps to prolong the shelf life and freshness of the product. This powder can also be used to fill capsules or to make kratom tea. The drying process helps to concentrate the alkaloid levels in the kratom powder.
Advantages of Kratom Powder
There are many advantages of kratom powder. Easily acquired through various kratom vendors, it is also very affordable compared to other kratom products. Users can easily find a wide variety of different kratom strains in powder form. As previously mentioned, kratom powder also has a long shelf life and can be stored without special care. Already dehydrated, kratom powder is travel friendly as it is light.
Compared to other kratom products, it is the most cost-effective form of kratom. Other perks include its ability to be digested easily, allowing the effects of kratom to kick in fast. It is vegan friendly. Although all kratom products should be vegan friendly, some capsules are made from gelatin, a bovine source.
Disadvantages of Kratom Powder
Kratom powder is not without its disadvantages. One of its main cons is the taste and smell of kratom. Taken in powder form, many users find kratom to be unpalatable due to its strong aroma and taste. This is especially true for users who are more sensitive to strong flavors. Another disadvantage would be the need to use a digital scale to measure out each kratom dose before consumption.
Taking Kratom Powder
There are many ways to take kratom powder. Most kratom veterans prefer the toss-and-wash method where kratom powder is placed on the tongue and washed down with a drink. This is the most cost-effective and convenient way of taking kratom for long-term. Kratom powder can also be added into food and drinks to help hide or mask its strong taste and smell. Some users prefer to blend it into their smoothies while others like kratom shots. Kratom powder is very versatile and can also be used to make kratom tea. This can be done by adding hot water to kratom powder and letting it steep for 5 to 10 minutes before straining it. Once strained, kratom tea can be consumed plain or with added flavors such as honey, lemon, and ginger.
Kratom Leaf
Kratom leaf often refers to dried kratom leaves that are crushed into pieces that are slightly larger than normal tea leaves. Kratom leaf is perfect for making kratom tea. However, this form of kratom is less commonly found in the United States compared to kratom powder. Kratom tea is preferred by some users as it is gentler on the body and faster acting. Kratom leaf generally only has a limited number of strains as it does not go through the different processes of drying and fermentation that results in different strains. This is why crushed leaf is considered to be a full spectrum kratom.
Advantages of Kratom Leaf
Crushed kratom leaf is the closest form to fresh kratom leaves and contains alkaloids in natural proportions. Taking kratom leaf also avoids the consumption of extra plant matter which can cause digestive issues especially in beginners. Kratom leaf is much gentler for those with digestive issues. Users have reported that kratom tea is less likely to cause nausea and produces a more rapid and euphoric effect.
Disadvantages of Kratom Leaf
Besides being harder to find, crushed kratom lead is also more expensive and lacks the different varieties available in kratom powder. Since it is mostly made into tea, it is not as travel friendly and convenient compared to kratom powder.
How to Take Kratom Leaf
Crushed kratom leaves come in flakes. These are best for making kratom tea. To make kratom tea, add hot water to the leaves and allow it to steep for 5 to 10 minutes before straining. It can be consumed plain or with added flavors such as honey, ginger, and lemon. Besides straining, kratom tea can be made by filling tea bags with kratom leaves or using a French press.
Some users have shared that they can steep the same kratom leaf multiple times to cut down on cost. The crushed leaves can be effective for at least three to six steeps. Adding a dash of vinegar with the tea also increases the absorption of alkaloids making it more potent.
Which One is Better?
Both kratom powder and kratom leaf has its own pros and cons that caters to different audiences. There is no right or wrong when it comes to choosing between kratom powder and kratom leaf. It simply depends on what the user is looking for. Instead of choosing one or the other, users can also alternate between both options. The table below shows a summary of the differences between kratom powder and kratom leaf:
| Kratom Powder | Kratom Leaf | |
| Taste | Stronger | Milder |
| Price | Cheaper than kratom leaf | More expensive |
| Consumption methods | Toss and wash, mixed into food and drinks, tea, shots | Tea |
| Variety | Wide range | Limited |
| Time to Take Effect | Fast | Faster |
| Digestibility | Good | Better |
Where to Buy Kratom Products
When buying kratom products, choose a reputable kratom vendor as this guarantees the quality of the kratom product along with the safety of the user. One of the best kratom vendors on the market is Nova that skyrocketed in popularity due to their high quality kratom products and lowest prices on the market, setting a high bar for other kratom vendors. Many of Nova’s customers are loyal to the brand as they are impressed by what the company has to offer.
With a wide variety of kratom strains available, Nova has attracted many kratomites from all over the United States. Nova offers a 20% off all orders along with free shipping for all orders above $40. Backed by a 30-day money back guarantee, they also have a great customer support team that is efficient. Nova’s products are all tested for purity and contaminants as part of their pledge to offer the best quality kratom.
General Kratom FAQs
- What Are The Benefits of Kratom?
In the local communities, kratom has been traditionally used to boost energy and to help with a wide range of ailments such as fever and pain. Kratom contains alkaloids such as mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine that acts on opioid receptors to mimic the effects of opioids. Kratom can offer effects such as pain relief, relaxation, mood elevation, energy boost, mental clarity, and more. Some users who have opioid withdrawal symptoms have reported that kratom helps offer relief as well.
- Can Kratom Cause Side Effects?
Yes, kratom can cause side effects. However, it is rare if used accordingly. Side effects of kratom are most commonly seen among beginners or those who use larger than recommended doses of kratom. Some of the side effects that may occur in kratom are nausea, vomiting, headaches, irritability, blurry vision, abdominal pain, and more.
- Is Kratom Legal?
Yes, kratom is legal at the federal level in the United States. It is legal in most states as well. However, there are some states where the local counties declare kratom to be illegal. Examples include San Diego, California and Sarasota County, Florida.
- What Dosage of Kratom is Recommended?
The dosage of kratom for each individual varies as every person has unique variables such as age, health status, metabolic rate, and more. There is no one set dosage. Instead, beginners are encouraged to start with a dose of 1 to 2 grams. After 60 to 90 minutes later, the effects of kratom peaks. If it hasn’t reached the desired effects, the user can take an additional dose of 1 to 2 grams. This is the optimal dose for the user. Beginners are encouraged to keep a journal that details the doses and effects. Users are encouraged to repeat this process for a new strain. As a general guide, an average user takes about 3 to 5 grams while a heavy user takes 6 to 8 grams.
Conclusion: Kratom Powder vs Kratom Leaf
After understanding the differences between kratom powder and kratom leaf, users can make a better choice that is suitable for their lifestyle. Beginners may do better with kratom leaf as it is gentler. With progress, kratom powder may be more versatile as it can be made into kratom tea as well. Whatever the choice, users should remember to always source their kratom products from a reputable kratom vendor to guarantee the best user experience and safety.
