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Like most other plants, kratom has developed slightly different characteristics over the centuries depending on its growing location. There are even a few gardeners who are now purposefully crossbreeding kratom varieties to produce novel strains. While all this development is certainly exciting for kratom connoisseurs, it’s also understandably confusing for kratom newbies.
Since different kratom strains can have different effects, it’s well worth your while to read through this simple kratom strain guide. Don’t worry, we won’t get all super scientific on you. In this post, you’ll learn all the important strain names and the main reasons why you would want to use them.
Before we go through specific strains, it’s important for new users to know the general distinctions between red, white, and green-vein kratom. All kratom strains fall into one of these families, and each “kingdom” has its own unique attributes.
As you might have already guessed, these different families get their names from the colors that appear on mature kratom leaves. Over the years, herbalists have noticed that each of these differently colored leaves tends to have distinct and predictable effects on users.
Although there’s sometimes overlap in the effects of red, white, and green kratom, cultivators usually make the following distinctions.
Again, these distinctions are rather broad and miss the nuances of each specific strain. That being said, it’s good to keep these categories in mind, especially if you come across a strain you’re unfamiliar with.
Now that you know the basics of red, white, and green-vein kratom, let’s take a deeper dive into a few specific strain names. You should have no issues finding any of the strains listed below at a reputable kratom vendor.
“Maeng Da” is a term that could refer to either a pimp or a large edible beetle depending on where you are in Asia. In the kratom world, however, Maeng Da refers to only one thing: a potent red-vein kratom strain.
It’s believed a group of farmers in Indonesia cross-pollinated indigenous kratom plants until they stabilized the Maeng Da genetics. So, unlike other naturally occurring kratom strains, Maeng Da has been specifically bred to have strong effects.
The two areas where Maeng Da really shines include pain relief and increased energy. Indeed, the most interesting thing about this herb is its ability to combine the energizing effects of a typical white with the analgesic properties hailed in reds.
This unique mix of pain relief with energy boost makes Maeng Da a perfect option for people who are suffering from chronic fatigue or pain syndromes like fibromyalgia. Conversely, this red isn’t a good choice if you want a soothing strain to help you relax after a hard day’s night.
Also, due to Maeng Da’s high potency, it’s usually only recommended to people who have a bit of kratom experience. People who use Maeng Da must schedule a few kratom free days because it’s extremely easy to build a tolerance.
Confusingly, Bali wasn’t developed in Bali. It’s more likely this mild red-vein kratom strain has its origins on other Indonesian islands like Kalimantan before it made its way to everyone’s dream vacation destination. Despite its factual inauthenticity, it’s unlikely this strain name will change anytime soon, so let’s all just learn to live with it!
A major reason for Red Bali’s wide appeal has to do with its potent analgesic effects. Indeed, this strain is widely used by people who need help with managing chronic pain in conditions such as fibromyalgia or arthritis. Unlike most reds, which cause strong sedation, Red Bali provides mild relaxing effects that work ideally for daytime use.
Red Bali is a great kratom strain for beginners and for people who are looking for enhanced relaxation. Those who are in the market for potent sedation or energizing effects, however, should look elsewhere.
Note: some people who take Bali have reported experiencing involuntary shaking, so be sure to take a low dose at first and closely monitor how your body responds.
If it’s energy you’re after, then you can’t do much better than White Thai. Originating from Thailand, this strain is known for providing an intense, euphoric high with no caffeine-like jitters, which makes it perfect for morning use and staying productive at work all day. It’s pretty safe to say you won’t need that mug of coffee after downing a few grams of White Thai kratom powder.
On the downside, White Thai doesn’t have strong analgesic properties. You might experience temporary pain relief due to White Thai’s euphoric effects, but it’s unlikely you’ll get any kind of sustained relief from chronic pain.
In short, White Thai is intended for people struggling with fatigue-related disorders or depression, or those just wanting an active, present day of work or night out.
Green Indo is a relatively new kratom strain that’s making big waves in the space. Heck, it’s not uncommon to find this strain named “Super Green Indo” on many authoritative websites.
So, what makes Super Green Indo so, well, super? The keyword is “balance.” People who take Green Indo say this mild strain has the incredible ability to offer the best of both the red and white strains—it is a decent pain reliever, which provides both an energy boost and a relaxing sedation. People struggling with racing thoughts, OCD, or ADD are particularly good candidates for Green Indo.
Green Indo is also well-liked because it has a very low risk of side effects. Indeed, the only commonly reported side effect from taking too much Green Indo is a headache.
People new to kratom might want to start with the perfectly balanced, safe, mild, and soothing Green Indo strain. Those looking for stronger effects, however, should look into other kratom varieties.
Malaysia is yet another subtropical country with a rich history of kratom cultivation. Of the many varieties that have been developed in this Southeast Asian nation, the most popular remains the Green Malay.
The major selling point for Green Malay is that it has ridiculously long-lasting effects. It’s not uncommon for users to feel the effects of Green Malay for up to eight hours after taking the herb.
Green Malay is a kratom strain rich in alkaloid content, making its effects strong and diverse. However, unlike many other potent kratom strains, the Green Malay is reportedly quite balanced and not overwhelming or numbing.
This strain is traditionally used as a pain reliever, but it also excels as an anxiolytic, a mood, focus, and energy booster, and there are even reports claiming that it can improve hormonal balance.
All these effects come without the energy burst characteristic for some whites or fatigue typical for some reds. Their onset, as well as the comedown, are gradual and gentle, making this strain a well-rounded, great value-for-money kratom variety.
Although not as famous as Green Malay, you could also find red and white varieties of the Malay strain. Red Malay has stronger sedating properties while White Malay works as a stronger stimulant.
Borneo kratom, which (unsurprisingly) originates from the Borneo island, encompasses some of the most sedating kratom strains you could get your hands on. Thanks to especially high concentrations of the alkaloid 7-hydroxymitragynine, Borneo kratom is only recommended to people who need serious pain relief.
You could order Borneo in any of the three vein colors, but Red Borneo is quite famous for its opiate-like effects. Even at small doses, chronic pain patients notice extreme benefits shortly after swallowing Red Borneo powder. This analgesia is typically accompanied by a pleasurable relaxation and a boost in mood. Some kratom experts consider Red Borneo to be a medical-grade substance, which means you should only be using it if you have a medically-recognized chronic pain condition.
Unfortunately, since Borneo is such a potent kratom strain, it’s one of the most frequently associated with adverse side effects. It’s not uncommon for people who take too much Borneo in a single serving to experience nausea, vomiting, and / or migraines. Even if you have experience taking other kratom strains, make sure to start with less than 2 grams of Borneo to see how your body reacts to this strain.
As you could see, there’s a lot more to a kratom strain than just a fancy Asian name. If you’re not getting the results you’d hoped from your current batch of kratom, then it might have to do with the strain you’re using. Many kratom users have to experiment with a bunch of different strains before they find the one that works for them.
No matter which strain you use, developing a tolerance is an ever-present concern. To avoid tolerance building, daily use of kratom is never recommended. Instead, schedule at least two kratom-free days per week to help the herb maintain its potency.
