How to Ensure You Have Authentic Kratom?
Kratom is a natural botanical with rich properties that make it a stellar part of your routine. You can use it for a pick-me-up in the middle of a hectic workday or unwind in the evenings without losing focus or motivation.
However, these benefits are hard to unlock if you don’t have an authentic Kratom product. Both powders and pre-filled capsules are great for Kratom enthusiasts, but they need to be free of contaminants and fillers.
Ensuring you have authentic Kratom can seem like a daunting task, especially if you’ve never tried it before. Simple steps like reading carefully through the manufacturer or distributor’s website can make a huge difference in your Kratom experience. You can look for key signs that the Kratom you’re buying is authentic and free of contaminants or fillers.
Reputable Vendor
Since Kratom has sharply increased in popularity, newer vendors and distributors have emerged. Although some of these new companies are legitimate and create excellent products, others are just trying to cash in on a trend.
An authentic vendor can tell you about the strengths and qualities of their product in detail. Instead of just relying on fancy or familiar Kratom blend names to sell their goods, vendors can tell you the specifics that make each one unique. These vendors also have established relationships with reputable farmers and processors in Southeast Asia, sourcing their Kratom products carefully.
If a website can’t provide much information about their product, that means they might not have tried it themselves, which is a serious red flag. Although detailed product descriptions and other pages aren’t a guarantee of authenticity, they’re an excellent first sign when visiting a new site.
Independent Testing
An even bigger indicator of authenticity is independent third-party testing. Any Kratom company can tell you that they tested their products, but that tells you nothing about the criteria they used when testing.
Powdered goods are particularly vulnerable to contamination or alteration because of how easily powders are mixed. Even a well-meaning vendor who uses a “safe” filler to cut the product ends up giving you less than your money’s worth. In a worst-case scenario, powders can even be contaminated with heavy metals that can make you sick.
Independent third-party laboratories test vendors’ products to ensure that they are exactly as advertised. In addition to testing for fillers and heavy metals, laboratories can test for mold that can grow when Kratom powder is stored in poor conditions.
Reputable companies will put as much information as possible about their testing and lab results on their website or provide the individual batch testing upon request. If the website doesn’t even mention testing, that’s a sign the vendor might not be legitimate.
Industry Certification
Look for a vendor like Kats Botanicals that’s certified by the American Kratom Association for current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP). As the national association committed to the promotion and advancement of Kratom, AKA uses this certification to encourage companies to engage in the best possible practices and testing.
Independent testing is just one part of this extensive certification process. Procedural protocol is also essential for maintaining the safety and quality of Kratom. Instead of just putting Kratom into packages and selling it, cGMP-certified companies often use lot numbers, pasteurization, and small-batch testing to ensure the final product is as safe as possible.
Like any consumable product, Kratom should be carefully distributed with tracking of lot and batch numbers. Although Kratom is incredibly safe, this gives customers further peace of mind if they need to contact the company with any concerns.
Inspecting In-Person
Naturally, you should take precautions to check a product for authenticity before buying it. Once the product has reached your home, you should take another opportunity to check it closely.
Look over the label and make sure the details match the online retailer you bought it from. If the product or company’s name doesn’t match the one you paid for, that’s a potential red flag.
Kratom is supposed to be slightly bitter, so any Kratom that successfully masks this taste may be cut with fillers or other contaminants. It has an earthy scent that can smell like green tea or fresh-cut grass, depending on the powder’s exact variety and age.
Why Does Authenticity Matter?
The biggest potential threat for fake or contaminated Kratom is the risk of harming your health. This is a potential risk for any food or drinks you consume, so the availability of transparent and clear lab testing for Kratom makes it very safe relative to other holistic health products.
Some products’ authenticity doesn’t matter much, as long as they are safe and give the desired benefit. However, the whole point of Kratom is that it provides a natural way to boost your wellbeing and motivation without having to rely on pharmaceuticals or caffeine.
Authentic Kratom is an experience that can help calm and center you, especially if you enjoy the routine of making tea. Having to second-guess your Kratom’s quality takes away your peace of mind and ability to focus on the day ahead.
Basic Steps to Get Authentic Kratom
Now that the American Kratom Association has taken on the role of certifying companies, it’s easier than ever to get authentic and lab-tested Kratom. Look through a Kratom company’s website closely to make sure it will give you what you need without compromising your peace of mind. Once the product is in your hands, a few quick checks will ensure that you’re ready to enjoy everything Kratom has to offer.
