Phytochemical Stability
Trapped within the cellular walls of Kratom leaves, there are over 20 unique, identifiable plant alkaloids, also called phytochemicals. The two most important of these—the alkaloids that are principally responsible for Kratom’s positive benefits—are Mitragynine and 7-Hydroxymitragynine.
No matter how a specific Kratom strain is harvested and processed, its alkaloid profile is always the most potent the moment the plant leaves are removed from the Kratom tree. From that point forward, the alkaloids begin the slow process of breaking down.
Unfortunately, phytochemicals like Mitragynine and 7-Hydroxymitragynine don’t last forever. The natural process of entropy will cause molecular bonds to break, and given enough time, even the best-protected and most carefully packed Kratom powder will lose its efficacy.
There are a few ways Kratom powder potency can be unnecessarily weakened. These include:
- Exposure to moisture
- Exposure to prolonged UV radiation (i.e., direct sunlight)
- Infiltration of mold, mildew, or fungi
Since Kratom powder is so susceptible to its environment, we take extra steps to use airtight, stay-fresh packaging that is zipper-resealable for freshness. Furthermore, we also process our Kratom capsules and powders in clean rooms with advanced filtration systems.
Extending Kratom Shelf Life
The good news is that there are a number of other measures that can be taken to help preserve Kratom potency and purity. These measures are meant to combat environmental conditions that can infiltrate Kratom powder and compromise its quality.
To get the longest shelf life from your Kratom powder or capsules, follow these steps:
- Store your Kratom in a cool, dry, dark place.
- Keep your Kratom in its original packaging.
- Use a clean, dry measuring spoon or cup when preparing your serving.
- Regularly inspect your Kratom and look for mold, mildew, or inclusions. Kratom powder should be fine, consistent, and uniformly colored.
- If your Kratom has a musty, offensive odor, do not use it, and discard it immediately. Fresh Kratom should smell earthy and natural.
Beware of Low-Quality Kratom
Kratom is sadly, an unregulated substance. This means, there is no quality control, no guidelines, laws, or measures to assure its safety when manufactured and sold. Some suppliers of Kratom do not test it for quality and safety. Your health and safety are reason enough to make sure you obtain Kratom from a reputable, professional, trustworthy source.
By analyzing our Kratom thoroughly, we make sure that it is free from E. coli, Salmonella, and numerous other pathogens and contaminants. We even go beyond this by ensuring our Kratom is free from chemical properties and heavy metals.
If you understand the potential benefits of Kratom, and you live where its use is permitted, the next step is to find a safe supplier of Kratom. There are many ways for the educated and cautious buyer to acquire Kratom.
If you follow the steps above, your favorite Red Vein, Green Vein, or White Vein Kratom strains and Kratom blends should last for at least 8-12 weeks before they begin losing their potency.
Make Sure The Kratom You’re Buying is FRESH
You’ll want to makes sure that the product you receive is actually good-quality, especially if you’re not a very long-term user. You can always taste it, but there are some clear reasons why you wouldn’t want to do this, especially if you’re concerned about another chemical or recreational drug being mixed in. There are some ways to check, though: it just takes some time.
The texture makes it quite clear. The higher the quality, the finer the particles will be, and the less ‘gritty’ it will feel. This indicates that the kratom has been ground up using proper machinery, and wasn’t just turned into powder with a hand-held mortar and pestle.
The color can also make it clear. The closer a powdered kratom’s color is to the original leaf, the more fresh and pure it is. If it’s dark brown or tan, it’s probably solder and stale, fresh kratom will ALWAYS be green.
Many larger companies will gladly order in bulk, allowing a portion of their kratom to sit in a warehouse for many weeks, sometimes just before the point of kratom losing it’s potency, then sell it off to customers.
With GLAKratom, you know you’re getting kratom that’s fresh, as we order every 2 weeks. Only run a singular small store in Blue Springs, Missouri and have no large warehouse to store thousands of kilo’s in!
Have a Kratom-related question of your own? Get in touch with us! We’re always happy to help spread the word about tips and tricks you can use to get the most out of every Kratom serving.