Updated: October 20, 2023
When you shop for kratom online, you will likely hear about the color of its stems and veins. As we discuss these colors, the primary types of kratom are:
- Red Vein Kratom
- Green Vein Kratom
- White Vein Kratom
These are the true strains of kratom. All other types of kratom are simply custom blends or specific types of one of the three types of kratom powder. For example, gold kratom isn’t its own strain of kratom powder, but it’s normally created by blending red and white vein kratom powder.
Of all of these different types of kratom, red vein kratom is generally considered the most desirable. Leaves with red stems and veins are known for having the highest levels of kratom alkaloids. The same key alkaloids are found in some amounts in all of the different types of kratom, but the color of the stems and veins can give you some idea about the more specific chemical makeup of a given leaf.
Where Does Red Vein Kratom Come From?
Red vein kratom grows anywhere the other types of kratom grow. The Mitragyna Speciosa tree, the leaves of which are dried and ground into kratom powder, grows naturally throughout much of Southeast Asia. You can find this plant growing in Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, and many surrounding countries.
Most of the kratom in the United States comes from Borneo, especially the South Kalamantarian region. The environment in that part of the world is an excellent fit for the Mitragyna Speciosa tree because the soil is so rich, there’s so much sunlight, and it rains frequently. As a result, Mitragyna Speciosa trees flourish in these rainforests and can grow up to 100 feet tall. Since the trees are so healthy, their leaves also contain excellent alkaloid profiles.
Understanding the Alkaloids in Red Vein Kratom
People become so interested in kratom, especially red vein kratom, because of the alkaloids in the plant that interact with receptors similarly to some pharmaceuticals. Primarily, kratom alkaloids bind to some of the same receptors as anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs like ibuprofen, oxycodone, fentanyl, Tramadol, and anesthesia drugs. Since kratom is a natural product, many people are interested to know if it might help prevent people from turning toward those other pharmaceutical drugs, which are developing a bad reputation here in the United States.
But what are alkaloids, exactly? An alkaloid is a natural organic compound that contains nitrogen and produces a physiological effect on human beings or other animals. Alkaloids can be found in many different plants, including the Mitragyna Speciosa plants from which we gather kratom. Kratom enthusiasts are very interested in the physiological effects of kratom alkaloids.
The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association has even suggested that kratom’s alkaloids can interact with opioid receptors in the human body. Pharmacological researchers published by the Journal of the American Osteopathic Association have suggested that kratom alkaloids act on the mu, delta, and kappa opioid receptors. This is one of the biggest reasons kratom has become so popular in the United States and worldwide. Many scientific researchers and medical professionals are continuing to work hard to study all of the potential effects of kratom.
One thing that’s already been observed is that red kratom seems to have the highest levels of some of the most important alkaloids. Compared to other kratom types, the red vein powder typically has the most intense and interesting alkaloid profiles. This is why so many people say red vein kratom powder is appealing and that it offers them what they’re most looking for when it comes to buying kratom.
Types of Red Vein Kratom
All types of red vein kratom, in general, are highly sought after because of their high levels of alkaloids. Still, there are a few different options within the larger category of red vein kratom, and some customers find that they might prefer a very specific type of red vein kratom. However, the truth is that most of the red kratom in the United States is extremely similar. Since it’s all grown in very similar environments, it ends up with very consistent chemical properties.
Even though these differences are very small, some people say they can pick up on the subtle nuances between different types of red kratom. Some of our customers like to buy several different types at once to sample different powders and see if they find one more appealing than the others. These small differences might occur because of the specific place kratom grew, when it was harvested, and how it was handled. Some people also like to try a different kratom powder after a while because they’ve gotten too used to their old one. Even switching to a slightly different type of kratom can be different enough to refresh your enjoyment of kratom.
Here at Blue Diamond Herbs, we have six favorite types of red vein kratom.
Red Borneo Kratom
As most kratom comes from Borneo anyway, this is a logical place to start your search. Don’t be alarmed because the name of this kratom doesn’t include lots of buzzwords or marketing lingo. It’s exactly what it sounds like: fresh, premium red kratom from Borneo.
Red Sulawesi Kratom
Red Sulawesi Kratom originally comes from the island of Sulawesi in Indonesia. Like Borneo kratom, it’s known for offering high quality and consistent alkaloid levels.
Red Horn Sulawesi Kratom
This kratom powder is made from Red Sulawesi kratom leaves with certain characteristics. Specifically, some leaves appear to have small horns. There isn’t a significant difference in the alkaloid levels of these leaves, but some people still love this type.
Red Maeng Da Kratom
Red Maeng Da is likely the most popular kratom globally, largely thanks to its high alkaloid levels. Those who are sensitive enough to notice the slight differences between various types of kratom often say that they feel especially invigorated when they find a good type of Red Maeng Da. Even though “maeng da” has become something of a buzzword in the kratom community, it’s still important to remember that this is largely similar to every other type of red kratom.
The Godfather
This is from our line of custom kratom extracts here at Blue Diamond Herbs. It’s something we come up with ourselves, and we’re extremely proud of it.
Original Bali
This is another very popular type of kratom. It’s said that harvesters choosing plants for a Red Bali harvest only choose especially healthy plants with large leaves. Like the rest of the kratom in the United States, this largely comes from Borneo, but it may have traditionally been shipped through a port in Bali, where it gets its name.
Buy Red Kratom from Blue Diamond Herbs
At Blue Diamond herbs, we pride ourselves on offering a large selection of fresh, consistent, and reliable red vein kratom. Place your order today to find your favorite!