Due to its numerous beneficial properties, kratom is a staple in the lives of about 5 million Americans, and this number only keeps growing. If you have decided that you, too, would like to benefit from this herb, you may be confused about the best way to take kratom.
After all, neither packaging nor kratom websites have instructions on it. And what’s the deal with “burning kratom”? Should you really burn it?
Sadly, institutions such as the FDA have an issue with kratom. Therefore, it is not regulated and vendors can’t state certain things such as how to take kratom
But that’s why we are here. Our mission is to make sure that more people know about the benefits of kratom and can make smart and informed buying (and consuming) decisions.
So, let’s look into different methods and which of them is the best way to take kratom.
7 Best Ways to Take Kratom
1. Kratom Tea
One of the most popular ways of taking kratom is brewing kratom tea. If prepared correctly, kratom tea can potentiate the effects of kratom. Heat and lemon both have the capacity to boost kratom effects. Moreover, you can add raw honey to sweeten it, which also has numerous beneficial health benefits, or try different kratom tea recipes.
Lemon and honey or another kratom sweetener of your choice can also help mask its bitter taste. So, it will be more enjoyable to consume it.
You can take kratom tea both hot and cold, and you can also take it with you if you have a flask or travel mug.
The key to making high-quality kratom tea is making sure that you simmer it rather than boil. This will help to activate kratom alkaloids rather than destroy them.
The downside of kratom tea is that it requires time to prepare it. You will need roughly 30 minutes to prepare everything and brew the tea. So, if you are in a hurry, this may not be the best method for you.
2. Toss and Wash
Toss and wash is one of the simplest ways of taking kratom. All you need to do is measure your dose, scoop that into your mouth, and wash it down with a drink of your choice to remove the aftertaste. This could be water or juice.
Kratom powder can stick and clump to the sides of your mouth and your tongue. To get rid of that, swoosh your drink of choice around your mouth as you would mouthwash before you swallow it down.
The advantage of the toss and wash method is that it is straightforward and quick. It also takes effect rather fast. Unfortunately, it can be rather unpleasant to taste and trigger a gag reflex.
3. Kratom with Juice
This method is simple as well and can help you mask the taste of kratom. All you need to do is mix your kratom dose with some juice. Orange juice is one of the most popular kratom user choices. However, others prefer grapefruit juice instead.
Keep in mind that grapefruit can interact with certain medications such as cholesterol drugs. So, if you are taking any, make sure to ask your doctor if it is OK with you to drink grapefruit juice.
In addition to that, opt for freshly squeezed juices whenever possible. Fresh juices have more vitamins, minerals, and other beneficial nutrients, whereas store-bought juices often have added sugar. Juice, in general, has a high glycemic index since it has fiber and pulp removed from it. So, you should be careful if you have diabetes.
4. Kratom with Yogurt
Kratom and yogurt is another beneficial combination. Since kratom constipation tends to be a common issue among kratom users, yogurt can be beneficial to get things going (and leaving your digestive tract.)
Yogurt contains probiotics which can boost gut microbiota. Yogurt is also rich in protein and calcium which is good for your bones.
It’s best that you opt for natural yogurt. Flavored yogurt usually contains lots of added sugars and other additives. If you’d like to improve the taste, try honey and fruit instead.
5. Kratom Smoothies
Another way of consuming kratom and getting additional nutrients is by mixing kratom into your smoothies. This can allow you to increase your intake of fruits and vegetables as well as make kratom more palatable.
Consider making kratom smoothies from fruits like bananas, apples, and pineapple as well as from greens. You can mix in cucumbers, celery, kale, and other greens and veggies. By adding peanut or almond butter, you can make your smoothies creamy and rich in protein.
Flax and chia seeds are another beneficial ingredient. They contain beneficial vitamins and minerals like calcium, potassium, magnesium, and Omega-3 fatty acids. Moreover, they are also rich in fiber and can help you ease kratom constipation.
6. Kratom Capsules
If you can’t tolerate the taste or consistency of kratom or would like to take kratom on the go, kratom capsules can be a good option for you. They are rather discreet and easier to transport and consume than any kratom drink.
You can both purchase as well as make kratom capsules at home. Since kratom capsules require more materials and manpower, they are more expensive than raw powder. Therefore, making kratom capsules by yourself can be a more economical option in the long term.
Keep in mind that kratom capsules take longer to take effect. The stomach needs to break down the casing of the capsule to reach the powder. This results in a more gradual release of the alkaloids into the system. Due to that, a number of people report feeling the effects of kratom not as strong as they would be after consuming kratom in drinks or doing toss and wash.
7. Cooking with Kratom
While not a popular method of consuming kratom, you can experiment with simple recipes such as energy balls or muffins.
If you choose to do so, you should carefully measure all ingredients to ensure that the dose you get is accurate. Otherwise, you may end up overdosing kratom or not experiencing the effects that you expect.
Ways of Taking Kratom You Should Avoid
Kratom Extracts
While in theory, kratom extracts or tinctures are a convenient form of taking kratom, the risk of taking an excessive dose or developing kratom tolerance is much higher than with kratom powder. That’s because measuring a dose accurately becomes a lot harder.
Therefore, it’s best to avoid or be extremely cautious with kratom extracts, especially if you are a beginner.
Kratom and Alcohol
While some people like taking kratom with alcohol, in most cases that’s a bad idea. There is no scientific evidence to justify that it is safe. Moreover, alcohol consumption, especially in high doses, can be harmful to one’s health and aggravate any health conditions you may experience.
Alcohol also distorts one’s perception which can lead to taking inappropriate kratom doses.
Smoking and Vaping Kratom
First of all, smoking and vaping aren’t the best thing you can do to your body and health. While vaping is a less harmful alternative, it isn’t necessarily healthy.
When it comes to kratom, smoking and vaping it is simply a waste of the beneficial herb. Most of the kratom will be burnt rather than produce any significant benefits. This is different with kratom alternatives like marijuana which requires heat to activate beneficial kratom.
Heat can indeed potentiate kratom, which is why simmering kratom tea is beneficial. However, the heat produced by smoking and vaping is too high. It will destroy kratom alkaloids and burn the product.
The Bottom Line
There is no right or wrong way to take kratom. Therefore, it’s best that you try a few methods to discover which one or ones suit your needs and lifestyle best.
And most importantly, always make sure to buy high-quality kratom from a trusted kratom vendor. Since it’s a raw botanical product, there is a risk of it being contaminated or adulterated, especially if it’s not properly handled or tested.
What do you think is the best way to take kratom? What do you like best about it? And what are you not that happy about?
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