Mitragyna speciosa, commonly known as kratom, is a tropical tree related to the coffee plant that comes from deep within the rainforests of Southeast Asia. Locals have been using kratom’s alkaloid rich leaves for centuries for their therapeutic and energizing qualities.

Maeng Da Kratom is one of the most popular strains of kratom on the market. This strain has become increasingly popular due to its potency and efficacy in providing energy, pain relief, relaxation, and many other benefits. Maeng Da Kratom comes from a specific leaf that grows on certain strains of trees in Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia, among other countries. Maeng Da Kratom has higher alkaloid content than many other Kratom strains. Alkaloids are the compounds primarily responsible for the way Kratom interacts with the body. 

The colors of Kratom refer to the color of the veins in the kratom leaf at the time of harvest. The vein colors change with age due to changing alkaloid levels, determining kratom’s effects once it’s processed. Red strains have the highest alkaloid concentrations and are best for relaxation and pain relief. White-vein strains are more stimulating, and green strains fall somewhere in between, offering a blend of stimulation and sedation.

Alkaloids are “any of a class of nitrogenous organic compounds of plant origin which have pronounced physiological actions on humans,” according to the Oxford Dictionary. 

Kratom has over 30 different alkaloids. Scientific studies are still being conducted on how these alkaloids work and interact with the human body. The most commonly known alkaloids in kratom are mitragynine and 7-Hydroxymitragynine (7-OH).