Kava and Kratom - What You Should Know

The supplement and herbal industry is growing in popularity every year. More and more people are looking for natural ways to get the wellness support they desire. But what are kava and kratom? These two names have been buzzing around a lot and people wonder if kava and kratom could offer them the support they seek.

Keep reading to find out more about these mysterious herbs.

What Are Kava And Kratom?

It would be good to get a background on each herb so that you can fully understand the support that they offer. Below we will go into more detail about each so you can decide if kava and kratom are herbs you want to try.

What Is Kratom?

Kratom comes from Southeast Asia and is part of the coffee family. Its scientific name is Mitragyna speciosa. It grows in many areas including Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Papua New Guinea.

Kratom is not well received in all parts of the world. This has led to kratom being banned in many areas. The leaf of the plant is where all the alkaloids live and it is the main alkaloids (Mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine) that tend to cause the issues.

Kratom comes in a large variety of vein colors and strains. The leaf has a vein that runs down the middle of it. This vein will start as white. As it ages, it begins to transform from white to green. Green vein kratom signifies the midpoint of the leaf’s life.

The most mature leaves will have a red vein. Red vein kratom is known to be very robust in the support that it offers.

There is another color, yellow vein kratom, but this vein color does not occur naturally. It is produced through a unique drying technique. Aside from vein colors, there are many different strains to choose from. Some of the most popular include Maeng Da, Borneo, Bali, Indo, Dragon, Horn, and Elephant.

The combinations are endless for kratom. This allows users to truly seek and find the support that they are looking for. Kratom is not regulated by the FDA, so it is imperative that you seek medical advice from your doctor before purchasing kratom.

There is not a lot of scientific research surrounding this herb. For this reason, a lot of anecdotal reporting exists. You should never look at this reporting as safe. Only a medical physician can advise you on strains and dosing.

However, this is not just true for kratom. You should never take herbs without first consulting your doctor. They could interact with medications you are on or medical issues you are being treated for.

What Is Kava?

Kava comes from the South Pacific Islands. It is part of the pepper family also known as Piper Mehysticum. Some vendors advertise kava as Kava-Kava. This herb is considered a shrub and it is the roots that contain the support so many are seeking.

The root of the kava plant will be created into a paste. Coconut milk or water will be mixed with the roots to make a paste. While more studies have been done on kava versus kratom, there is still a lot that we do not know about this herb. So, you must speak with your doctor before making a purchase.

While users have reported some benefits, there are also serious side effects associated with kava. There are reports that long-term use of kava can lead to severe liver damage. The FDA has gone as far as issuing a warning to users and some countries have banned kava because of these reports.

Kratom And Kava: How Are They Similar

Both of these herbs are found in Southeast Asia. Kratom comes from countries such as Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Papua New Guinea. Kava was first discovered in New Guinea or Vanuatu and spread to the South Pacific Islands.

So both herbs require tropical weather and rich soil to thrive. Both kava and kratom have known to have legal issues. However, kava tends to be more accessible in all parts of the world. Kratom is still getting a lot of issues from authorities.

It is the root of the kava plant that is used, while the alkaloids in kratom live in the leaves. So, that is vastly different. Both herbs can be created into a drink. In fact, in some larger cities, kava bars have become very popular.

Kava bars will typically also offer kratom. So, in this case, both herbs are being used in place of alcohol. Kava and kratom have also been known to create teas. This is just one of the many ways that these herbs can be enjoyed.

Both kava and kratom also come in pill form. This allows you to choose how you want to take your herbs and supplements.

Kratom comes from a tree, while kava comes from a shrub. So they look similar but different enough that they can easily be identified in the wild. This is really where the similarities stop for these two. In the next section, we will explore their differences.

Kava Vs Kratom: How Are They Different?

Kava vs kratom has both been utilized for centuries in religious and cultural ceremonies. Both also are no stranger to ridicule and laws that lead to both herbs being banned in specific areas around the world.

Kratom

Kratom contains several alkaloids that are said to work with the opioid system in the brain. However, kratom is not considered an opiate. The main alkaloids are Mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine. Kratom comes in various vein colors which include red, green, white, and yellow vein kratom. Plus, there are several strains to choose from including Maeng Da, Dragon, Horn, Thai, Bali, and much more. So, kratom has variety where kava does not.

KAVA

Kava is known to work with the limbic system. At this time, more scientific research has been conducted on the chemical makeup of kava versus kratom. This herb is known to contain kavalactones. These kavalactones are very different from the alkaloids that live in kratom.

Is Kava Kratom?

No, kava and kratom are two very different herbs. They have more differences than similarities. However, they do both offer the wellness support that users are seeking. Some have chosen one over the other because of the legalities within their areas. However, kava and kratom are two different herbs and should never be considered the same.

Kava And Kratom Tea

While these herbs are relatively new to the western world, They have been utilized for centuries in South Asian culture. You will find in larger cities many areas are now offering kava and kratom bars or tea rooms that feature these two herbs.

So, if you are a fan of these herbs you may want to try them in a social setting. It could change the way you partake in these herbs. Kava and kratom tea allow you to enjoy your drink while also reaping the wellness support you have been seeking.

Can You Take Kava And Kratom Together?

As a rule of thumb, it is never a great idea to mix two different herbs. Especially ones that have not been heavily studied or understood. There is a ton of anecdotal reporting on the internet that suggest that mixing kava and kratom is ok. However, we asked that you talk with your doctor before taking either herb, let alone mixing them.

Kava Kratom Drink

Both Kava and kratom come in drink form. Kratom comes in a powder that can be made into a drink. Kava is also available in powder form or you can get the roots and make them into a paste that can then be mixed with water.

Both kava and kratom are known to be made into teas. This allows the user to decide how they want to partake in these herbs. It all comes down to your personal preference and what is best for you.

As far as finding a kava kratom drink you may be out of luck. The two herbs are offered separately and not together. However, you would find them next to each other in a smoke shop or local herbal shop.

Kava Kava Vs Kratom: Which Should You Try?

When it comes to herbs you want to make sure you choose one that will provide you with all the support you are seeking. So, we ask that you make an appointment with your family physician to discuss your wellness goals.

They will be able to go over the benefits of each herb and determine which would be best for you! No one else is legally able to advise you on kratom and kava.

We offer both kava and kratom here on Oasis Kratom. This allows you to shop for your goodies all in one place. All of our products are lab tested to ensure purity and quality.

If you have any questions when shopping our website please do not hesitate to reach out to us. We strive to offer you the best in the industry. We are a part of the American Kratom Association, which shows our dedication to the industry.