It’s a fun way to add variety to your wellness regimen so you don’t get bored with taking the same things every day.

WHAT IS A POTENTIATOR?

A potentiator is a substance that is added to your tea which can help boost the effects so that you get a better kick, so to speak. Or, to put it another way, more bang for your buck. If that sounds like a great idea to you, then read on for instructions on what to use and how to use it.

Basically, it’s an amplifier that gives you double the effects!

TURMERIC

One of the best spices used in Ayurvedic medicine is Turmeric. “Known for its medicinal qualities, this super herb has many uses. Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is extensively used as a spice, food preservative and colouring material in India, China and Southeast Asia.

It has been used in traditional medicine as a household remedy for various diseases, including biliary disorders, anorexia, cough, diabetic wounds, hepatic disorders, rheumatism and sinusitis.

For the last few decades, extensive work has been done to establish the biological activities and pharmacological actions of turmeric and its extracts.

Curcumin, the main yellow bioactive component of turmeric has been shown to have a wide spectrum of biological actions. These include its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticarcinogenic, antimutagenic, anticoagulant, antifertility, antidiabetic, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and antiulcer activities. Its anti-cancer effect is mainly mediated through induction of apoptosis.

Clinically, curcumin has already been used to reduce post-operative inflammation. Safety evaluation studies indicate that both turmeric and curcumin are well tolerated at a very high dose without any toxic effects. Thus, both turmeric and curcumin have the potential for the development of modern medicine for the treatment of various diseases,” says Ranajit K. Banerjee, the lead author of a research paper on Turmeric.

According to Everyday Health:

Like many spices, turmeric (Curcuma longa) has a long history of use in traditional medicine. This flavor-filled spice is primarily cultivated from the rhizomes, or roots, of a flowering plant in India and other parts of Southeast Asia, and aside from giving curry its vibrant yellow color, turmeric is also known for having potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, according to a past review.

The primary active component of turmeric — and the one that gives the spice its characteristic yellow color — is curcumin. In fact, you can credit curcumin as the compound responsible for most of turmeric’s potential health benefits.

So, what makes Turmeric go hand in hand with speciosa tea?

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Turmeric slows down the absorption of the alkaloids in your favorite cup of Asian tea. This enables it to have “longer legs” meaning it sticks around longer in your system.

In addition to Turmeric, people also use grapefruit juice or orange juice.

What’s your favorite way to potentiate? Let us know in the comments below!

We work closely with our supplier in Indonesia who ensures that we are always getting fresh access to their most recent harvest. If you have any questions, or just want to get connected, you can email us at store@InSenseBotanicals.com or call us at 530-644-0456.

Wholesale and wholesale bulk inquiries welcomed.


“These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.”

What Is Akuamma?

Akuamma is a shrub or tree found throughout the tropical regions of West Africa. You may also hear it referred to as vincamajordine or Picralima nitida. Seeds from the Akuamma tree have already been popular for many years in folk medicine in Cameroon, Congo, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, and Zaire. It wasn’t until much more recently that the plant also started to become popular on a global scale. 

The Akuamma plant grows naturally in rainforests, especially along river banks. Like kratom, the Akuamma tree can grow to heights of 100 feet, though it normally doesn’t get that tall in most environments. Akuamma produces flowers in addition to fruits that are filled with seeds all throughout the year. People are interested in the tree’s fruits, flowers, barks, and roots, all of which are regularly harvested by locals in West Africa.

Why Do People Buy Akuamma Extract?

People in West Africa use Akuamma for a wide variety of purposes. The wood is often crafted into different tools, but most people in the United States are interested in this tree because of its association with folk medicine. Akuamma extract is normally created using seeds from the fruit this tree produces.

Once the Akuamma tree produces ripe fruits, people harvest them, normally by hand. The fruits can be cut open to access the seeds, which are either chewed whole or ground into a powder. Like kratom, people are mostly interested in Akuamma extract because of the alkaloids it contains. The major Akuamma alkaloids are pericine and akuammine. Natives of West Africa often associate these seeds with bursts of energy as well as relief.

There are several other alkaloids in this plant, but pericine and akuammine are believed to be the most important. The rest of the Akuamma plant also contains some alkaloids, though not nearly as many as you can expect to find in the seeds. For that reason, Akuamma powder is typically nothing more than ground seeds. If you visit West Africa, you may also find that people use the bark, roots, and leaves for various applications.

What Is Kratom?

Kratom is another name to describe leaves from the mitragyna speciosa tree, which is also a tropical plant and has some relation to the coffee tree. Mitragyna speciosa grows naturally in Southeast Asia, and people in that part of the world have a long history of harvesting these leaves. The first documented stories of people enjoying kratom come from the 1800s, but many historians believe people have appreciated kratom since ancient times.

Farmers and laborers in Southeast Asia may enjoy the leaves by chewing on them raw, but kratom can also be dried and powdered. Here in the United States, it’s relatively difficult to find fresh kratom leaves simply because we have to get them from so far away. Instead, most of our kratom as sold as powder, which may also be portioned out into capsules for maximum convenience. You may see various blends including gold kratom, but there are actually only three true strains of this plant:

• Red Vein Kratom
• White Vein Kratom
• Green Vein Kratom

Why Do People Buy Kratom Powder?

Like with Akuamma, people normally buy kratom online because they’re interested in the alkaloids contained within these leaves. Alkaloids from kratom have been shown to interact with the human body similarly to anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs like ibuprofen, oxycodone, anesthesia drugs, tramadol, and fentanyl. Some of our customers say they support legal kratom because natural products are more interesting to them than pharmaceutical drugs made in a lab.

The primary kratom alkaloids are mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, which the Journal of the American Osteopathic Association says interacts with opioid receptors in the human body. Pharmacological researchers have said these alkaloids can interact with delta, kappa, and mu-opioid receptors alike. Mitragynine was the first kratom alkaloid to become well known, but we’re starting to believe that 7-hydroxymitragynine is even more important.

Featured Image: Shutterstock/ Tammarat

Kava Vs. Kratom

Kava, also known as kava-kava and Piper methyscticum, is a native plant of islands in the South Pacific like Polynesia, Micronesia, Fiji. People in those parts of the world have traditionally treated it like both an herbal remedy and a recreational drink. It’s normally said that people seek kava when they want to feel relaxed, relieved, and excited about life.

Kratom is the leaf of the mitragyna speciosa plant, which is in the same family as the coffee tree. It grows naturally in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and other parts of Southeast Asia. People in those parts of the world have chewed, smoked, or brewed kratom leaves for the natural alkaloids in the plant. The effects of kratom alkaloids have been said to include euphoria, relaxation, and relief. Even though some people claim that these two plants are similar, it’s important to recognize the differences between kratom and kava.

Preparation

Kava is often sold as tincture, powder, or capsules, and the type chosen will affect the best way to prepare kava. Kratom is also sold in a few different formats, but the most popular by far is kratom powder. Traditionally, people have chewed kratom leaves, brewed them like a tea, or smoked them. When you buy kratom powder in the United States, you’re looking at dried and ground leaves from the mitragyna speciosa tree. 

One of the reasons many people confuse kava and kratom is because both have frequently been prepared as drinks. Brewing ground kava root with water results in a murky drink and kratom tea looks very similar. Both of these plants have strong tastes, which is why these drinks are often mixed with other liquids to balance the bitter flavor.

Legal Status

While the legality of kava seems fairly stable, there are many advocates working hard to keep kratom legal in the United States. The DEA announced that it planned to ban kratom in 2016, but never proceeded with that because they were met with such resistance from doctors, lawyers, kratom consumers, and other citizens. The FDA has taken a stance against kratom, but organizations like the American Kratom Organization are calling on the FDA to follow the science and revise their opinion of the plant. The best kratom companies in the United States are staying up to date with our ongoing political battle to keep sales legal.

The United States has been more progressive when it comes to legislation surrounding kava. This may be because some residents of Hawaii, like people from other Pacific Islands, have considered kava to be part of their culture for many years already. The United States recognizes kava as a legal herbal supplement. You may even find kava at your local smoothie store, while most people buy kratom online.

Reported Effects of Kratom and Kava

One of the biggest reasons people buy kratom is because of the way alkaloids interact with opioid receptors in the human body. Prestigious organizations like Johns Hopkins Medicine have published information about the potential benefits and side effects of kratom. A survey of nearly 3,000 people found that most people report buying kratom for the following reasons:

• 91% of people surveyed buy kratom for physical discomfort.
• 67% of people buy kratom to improve their mood.
• 41% of people buy kratom as a plant-based alternative to prescription pills.

Both plants have been reported to have similar effects. Throughout history, people have claimed that kava and kratom may lead to experiences of euphoria, relaxation, and relief. We still want to see more research on both plants before making definitive claims about the benefits of kratom or kava. To understand the differences more completely, it’s important to learn about the chemical differences between kratom and kava.

Pharmacological Differences Between Kratom and Kava

To truly understand why people buy kratom, you need to know what an alkaloid is. Alkaloids are defined as natural organic compounds that contain nitrogen and produce physiological effects on either humans or animals. Many researchers have concluded that kratom alkaloids interact with the human body similarly to anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs. Examples of those drugs include oxycodone, fentanyl, ibuprofen, and even anesthesia drugs.

According to The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association, kratom alkaloids (mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine) interact with the delta, kappa, and mu-opioid receptors in humans. The organization even published research stating that 7-hydroxymitragynine in kratom has a “13- and 46-fold higher potency than morphine and mitragynine, respectively.” That statement implies that the mitragyna speciosa leaf has a lot of potentials, which is why we look forward to additional studies.

The most known natural ingredients in kava are called kavalactones. While kavalactones from kava may interact with the limbic system, which is associated with emotion, motivation, and behavior, they’re not believed to bind with opioid receptors the way alkaloids in kratom do. The lack of interaction with opioid receptors may be another reason the FDA doesn’t speak out against kava the way it speaks out against natural kratom (despite the accessibility of prescription opiates in the United States).

Is Kratom Better Than Kava?

The decision to buy kratom or kava is a personal one. We’re not medical professionals, so we won’t claim that one is necessarily better than the other. That said, our staff at In Sense Botanicals is made up of people who regularly advocate on behalf of kratom. We do sell some other herbal products as well, including Incarvillea Sinesis powder, which some people buy instead of kava. 

For the most part, though, we’re in the business of providing fresh, authentic kratom. We want our customers to have access to pure mitragyna speciosa leaf powder without fillers or additives, so we form partnerships with some of the best suppliers in Indonesia. In Sense, Botanicals exists to improve the reputation of kratom by finding quality harvests and selling them legally.

Can I Combine Kava With Kratom?

Because there are some similarities between kava and kratom, many people buy both of them side by side. We’ve heard of some people combining the two plant materials, but that isn’t something we recommend. As pure kratom enthusiasts, we believe it’s best enjoyed by itself, which is how it comes from the ground. 

Choose Your Kratom Supplier Wisely

When you buy kratom from In Sense Botanicals, you’re choosing a product that has been evaluated for quality and purity. We use careful processes and use lab analysis to confirm the purity of our mitragyna speciosa leaf powder. Operating in Placerville, California, we deliver locally and ship the product throughout the United States as federal and local laws allow. Contact us if you have any questions before choosing a product, or shop for kratom online today.

What Does the FDA Say About Kratom?

The FDA has declared that kratom is an opiate and said that it would contribute to the opioid epidemic in the United States. This is at odds with what a lot of kratom advocates, including respected members of the medical community, have said. The FDA has been pressuring the DEA to create a prohibition on kratom for years. The DEA did announce their intent to do so back in 2016. At that time, there was such an outpouring of public support and advocacy for kratom that the DEA reversed their decision, keeping kratom legal in most of the United States.

What Is the American Kratom Association?

The American Kratom Association was founded in 2014, and the organization is committed to restoring and preserving the freedom of United States citizens to make their own choices about kratom. The organization receives support from kratom consumers, including doctors, lawyers, teachers, and law enforcement officers. Their five main goals are as follows:

1. The American Kratom Association wants to create change in the ways political and private entities prioritize the needs of consumers. 
2. The organization wants to educate Americans about kratom.
3. The organization wants to provide a platform for people who want to share their personal stories about their experiences with kratom. 
4. The American Kratom Association wants to set an example that other countries can look to when they consider kratom legalization.
5. The AKA wants to support and advocate for sustainable harvesting and reforestation to protect kratom as a natural resource.

American Kratom Association and the FDA

The American Kratom Association doesn’t mince words. “Follow the science” is a familiar rallying cry of kratom advocates, and the AKA doesn’t think the FDA has done that in regards to kratom. The American Kratom Organization released a fact sheet that seeks to contrast fact with fiction. The fact sheet begins with a harsh condemnation of the FDA and their approach to kratom:

“The FDA has repeatedly attempted to force kratom into Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act by misstating the science, ignoring kratom’s long history of safe use, and falsely claiming kratom has the same effects as classic opioids. The FDA’s distorted record on kratom is clearly a part of the FDA’s long-standing bias against some types of dietary supplements that are safely used by millions of Americans. They’d rather back chemical drug formulations that are subject to new drug applications that have their own potential and frequently serious adverse health impacts.”

How Can I Contribute to Kratom Advocacy?

Here at In Sense Botanicals, we care deeply about public health and safety. We’re also strong advocates for legal kratom. If you wish to join us in our effort to keep kratom accessible for Americans, we invite you to do so. Some of the best ways to do this include sharing your own personal story with kratom, responding (respectfully) to misinformed or dishonest claims about kratom, or donating to the American Kratom Association.

Image: Iryna Imago

What Is Bali Kratom?

Bali kratom became popular because it offers high levels of alkaloids. There’s something vital that you should know about Bali kratom, though: most of it isn’t actually from Bali. Most Bali kratom has been grown in Borneo, but it becomes known as Bali kratom because Bali is one of the leading shipping hubs for it. The good news is that this is still a particular type of kratom, so referring to it as Bali kratom, whether or not it’s geographically accurate, is still legitimate.

The bad news is that many companies like to claim a product is Bali kratom even when it’s nothing of the sort. Bali kratom doesn’t necessarily have an especially distinctive look, smell, or feel, so it can be hard to tell it apart from other types of kratom. Some unethical companies try to take advantage of this and market their substandard kratom using Bali kratom’s exceptional reputation. Unfortunately, since the kratom industry isn’t especially well regulated in that way, there isn’t very much that buyers can do except make sure that they buy kratom from a reliable company. This is why it’s essential to know where the vendors of Bali kratom are actually getting their stock from and if it’s appropriately tested. 

Why Do People Like Bali Kratom?

People like Bali kratom for a variety of reasons. As mentioned above, it’s known for having excellent levels of alkaloids, which is one of the first things people consider when they decide to buy kratom. The fact that people can also buy these premium kratom strains for fair prices certainly doesn’t hurt, either. Finally, people find Bali kratom appealing because there are a few different strains within this one particular type of kratom. That means kratom customers can get their red kratom, green kratom, and white kratom all from this one specific subset of Indo kratom. 

Types of Bali Kratom

No matter which vein color of kratom appeals to you, there’s a high chance you’ll be able to find some Bali kratom. Red Bali kratom has been considered one of the best kratom strains for many years. It’s extremely popular in the kratom community and is possibly the best selling type of Bali kratom throughout the world. 

Green Bali kratom is also a common choice, and it has a lot in common with the red vein kratom. Some have said that red Bali is too intense, but green Bali is just right. Finally, there is also White Bali kratom. It’s not nearly as popular as the red vein and green vein varieties, but it can still be a good fit if it’s grown correctly.

Where to Buy Bali Kratom

Here at In Sense Botanicals, we take great care to only supply the most premium kratom available. Our products have been carefully tested, and we stand behind everything we sell. Contact us today if you have any more questions about Bali kratom, or shop our selection online.

Image: Robert Arthur Designs

What Is Red Vein Kratom?

As the name implies, red vein kratom is a type of kratom leaf that has red veins running through the leaf. The different colors have each been associated with their own unique qualities, which is why so many people eventually come to prefer one color over the others. If you’re interested in purchasing a particular type of kratom, it’s essential to buy kratom from a reliable retailer. Many manufacturers include the stem and veins when kratom is processed, but we take pride in providing only the leaves in our products. 

After this point, it’s often more difficult to tell which color vein the kratom had just by looking at it. Some varieties of red vein kratom powder will still have a slightly reddish or brownish look about them, while others will simply appear green just like most other types of kratom. Those types of kratom powder that are green will often look alike regardless of which color the vein was in the original leaf. If you buy kratom online or from a store that doesn’t source their kratom carefully, there’s no way to be entirely sure you’re actually buying red vein kratom.

Why Do People Like Red Kratom?

Red vein kratom leaves are often associated with higher concentrations of 7-hydroxymitragynine. 7-hydroxymitragynine is one of the two identified active ingredients in kratom, alongside mitragynine. All types of kratom will likely have higher levels of mitragynine than 7-hydroxymitragynine, but red vein kratom is known for offering the highest levels of 7-hydroxymitragynine. The relative abundance of 7-hydroxymitragynine in red vein kratom is what makes this particular type of kratom so appealing to so many people.

What Is 7-Hydroxymitragynine?

This particular alkaloid has been reported to interact primarily with mu-opioid receptors. Above all else, 7-hydroxymitragynine is associated with feelings of relief and relaxation. The reason for this may be explained further in a study about “an orally active opioid analgesic from the Thai medicinal herb mitragyna speciosa.” The herb referenced, mitragyna speciosa, is the plant from which we get kratom leaves. This study was conducted on mice and concluded that the effect of 7-hydroxymitragynine was more potent than that of morphine.

Types of Red Vein Kratom

There are many types of red vein kratom. For that reason, many people like to buy sampler packs of kratom even after they have narrowed their search down to one particular variety. Those who choose red vein kratom may still wish to purchase sample packs so they can refine their search even further and find a specific strain. Some of the most popular strains of red vein kratom include:

• Red Maeng Da
• Chocolate Borneo
• Red Bali
• Red Thai

Where to Buy Red Kratom

Here at In Sense Botanicals, we only stock the finest, purest varieties of red vein kratom. We get a thorough lab analysis for each of our products from an independent lab. You can shop our entire red vein kratom selection online, or contact us if you have any additional questions.

Image: Hilalabdullah

Types of Kratom

Kratom, in its simplest form, is simply a reference to the leaves from the mitragyna speciosa tree. As more and more people started to appreciate this plant, though, a whole industry grew up around it. That led to more processing of kratom, more kratom-derived products, and ultimately more choices. Some companies seem like they’re genuinely interested in making this natural plant more accessible to people, while others are only concerned with making money for themselves. Consider the source carefully as you weigh the following options.

Kratom Extract

Kratom extract is a concentrated product that contains higher levels of alkaloids from kratom. Extracts are not trustworthy and it’s not certain, but some of the 40+ alkaloids might be lost in the extraction process and change its properties. It’s made by using heat to separate the alkaloids from the plant material itself. As a result, there are much more significant levels in kratom extract than there are in natural kratom. Since alkaloids are the biggest reason most people buy kratom online, this seems like a good thing.

Unfortunately, though, many extraction processes can also introduce impurities and contaminants that aren’t found in raw kratom. The unbelievably high levels of alkaloids also might make it harder for people to identify an appropriate serving size, especially when the concentrates aren’t rigorously tested and carefully labeled. We strongly recommend staying away from Kratom Extracts.

Kratom Powder

In our experience, the powder is the best type of kratom. It’s easy to adjust your serving size, and it’s nothing more or less than the actual kratom leaf from the mitragyna speciosa tree. The leaves are simply dried and ground into a powder. There are also many ways to appreciate kratom powder.

Buy Kratom Powder Online

When you want to find pure kratom powder online, you can trust In Sense Botanicals. We’re entirely focused on making this plant accessible to people in its most natural form and at the most reasonable price. Contact us today if you have any questions, or start looking into your options in our online kratom store.

The statements made regarding these products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The efficacy of these products has not been confirmed by FDA-approved research. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Image: Shutterstock By Creativan

Kratom Alkaloids: Mitragynine and 7-Hydroxymitragynine

Alkaloids are natural organic bases that contain nitrogen, and they’re found in many plants including kratom. To be considered an alkaloid, by definition, something must produce some sort of physiological effect on human beings or other animals.

There are many different types of alkaloids in the world, but two of them are especially important to the relevance of kratom: mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine. The are 40+ alkaloids, two of which are Mitragynine and 7-Hydroxymitragynine.

Types of Kratom

The researchers state that kratom may prove to be useful in applications like managing discomfort, and other cases. That said, they also made it very clear that further kratom research is required before we can fully understand it.

Since there isn’t much research yet, it’s hard for many people to decide which type of kratom is most appealing to them. Most of our customers say that they normally buy red or green kratom powder if they’re interested in the potential of this plant.

Since it can be hard to choose between all of the different types, some people like to start with a variety or a kratom sampler pack until they decide which appeals to them the most. The most important thing is to get kratom that has been grown and harvested responsibly to keep it free from contaminants.

Buy Kratom Online

Here at In Sense Botanicals, we take great pride in connecting our customers with pure, natural kratom. We were disgusted by how many online kratom stores sell unreliable products, which is exactly why we got into the industry ourselves. If you have any other questions, please contact us so our staff can assist you. Otherwise, we invite you to explore our online kratom store.

Image Credit: Shutterstock By Rattiya Thongdumhyu

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The statements made regarding these products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The efficacy of these products has not been confirmed by FDA-approved research. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.