Kratom Extracts: What They Are and How to Make Them

There are many methods of consuming kratom, which include taking capsules, making tea, infusing kratom powders into your cooking, or using a kratom extract. Kratom extracts are forms of kratom that have been concentrated through various types of extraction methods. 

There is no standardized method of extraction for kratom, but it is typically done in one of the following ways. The ingredients you may need for the following extraction methods vary, but typically include:

• Kratom leaves or kratom powder
• Water
• Ethanol, ethyl alcohol, or 80-100 proof concentrated alcohol. Do not use rubbing alcohol as it produces toxic fumes and may be harmful if consumed
• Citric acid, lemon or lime juice, or vinegar
• A digital scale
• Measuring utensils
• Cheesecloth or a strainer
• Tinted bottles or mason jars for storage

Water-Based Kratom Extraction

Water-based extraction is typically both more labor-intensive than making tea and usually produces a more potent kratom product. The method of water-based extraction typically involves dissolving raw kratom leaves in water, or a mixture of ethanol and then leaving the mixture to sit in the dark for one or two weeks. After the mixture has sat for an appropriate length of time, it is strained and roughly half of the water is allowed to evaporate. 

Some methods of water-based extraction include utilizing citric acid as a preservative before the mixture sits to guard against the product sourcing, or by including glycerin in the end product to balance the acidity.

Kratom Tea 

Steeping kratom in water is the least potent form of extraction, but it is also the simplest to do. Kratom steeped in water is typically drunk as a botanical kratom tea. Longer steeping times typically result in higher potency. The tea can also be concentrated to increase potency by simmering the liquid until some of the liquid has evaporated. It is important not to boil the leaves, tea, or concentrate, as high levels of heat may cause the alkaloids that make kratom effective break down.

Kratom Tincture

The process of creating a kratom tincture is similar to that of water-based extraction but utilizes 80-100 proof concentrated alcohol or ethyl alcohol. To make a kratom tincture, add the desired amount of kratom powder to a mason jar, and add the alcohol of your choice. A standard measurement is 4 ounces of kratom to 1 liter of alcohol. Stir the mixture to ensure that the powder is fully saturated, and add citric acid to the mixture until it reaches a pH level of four, or slightly lower. 

Seal the jar and allow it to sit in the dark for one to two weeks. Once the mixture has sat, shake the jar and then strain the mixture by pouring it through a tea cloth or strainer. Pour the strained mixture into a clean mason jar, and cover the jar with cheesecloth to allow evaporation to take place until your tincture has reached your desired potency. 

Once the mixture has evaporated to your desire, strain and pour the remaining mixture into tincture bottles. The typical measurement should produce one tincture bottle per one ounce of kratom used. 

Kratom Resin

Kratom resin is typically semi-solid and requires a more intensive extraction process, but usually produces a higher-potency end product. Kratom resin is made by adding water and an acidic component such as lemon or lime juice, or vinegar. The mixture should be allowed to steep overnight, and then frozen solid. Once the kratom mixture has completely frozen, it is added to boiling water with the additional acidic component of your choice. The water should simmer until a quarter of the liquid has evaporated. The mixture should then be cooled and strained, and then allowed to sit and evaporate half of the water again. 

The remaining mixture of wet powder should be simmered again with additional measures of your choice acidic component. You may choose to simmer and filter the product a third time to further refine the end product. 

Once the water has fully saturated, pour it into a shallow oven-safe dish and bake the mixture at 150-200 degrees until the water has evaporated and you are left with a thick resin substance. 

Kratom Extract Dosage

Kratom dosage may depend on many things: the potency of the product, your personal tolerance, the desired effects, and the type of kratom leaf that was used. It is important to remember that kratom extracts are usually concentrated and should be used with caution and care. Kratom extracts may be purchased and stored in capsules, bulk, or bottled depending on the extraction method. Purchased kratom products and extracts often include a potency indicator or multiplier, such as 15x, 25x, or 50x. The potency indicators can typically be evaluated as such:

• 15x is equal to 15 times the potency of one gram of kratom powder.
• 25x is equal to 25 times the potency of one gram of kratom powder.
• 50x is equal to 50 times the potency of one gram of kratom powder.

It is important to check the label and brand to ensure the accuracy of their measurements and their label instructions on dosage. This will help you to determine how many capsules or drops from a dropper bottle you should take to meet your preferred dosage.

If you are utilizing a home-made kratom extract, it is often best to take a small dose at first, and then increase the dosage until you reach your desired effect. This should be done for every batch of an extract made, as each end product may have a different level of potency.

Storing Kratom Extracts

Kratom extracts should be stored in dark-colored containers away from light. It is best to keep kratom extracts in a cool environment that does not experience temperature fluctuation. The container should be airtight to keep the extract as fresh as possible. If you are making kratom extracts, it is also valuable to label the bottle, indicating the batch it was made with, as well as its potency.

Kratom extracts can be a good option for those that regularly use kratom. Extracts tend to have a higher potency contained in liquid form, powder, resin, or in capsules that make transporting easy and convenient. There are also many DIY methods of kratom extraction that allow you to create, manage, and control your dose. It is important for those who consume kratom extracts to remember that extracts tend to be much more potent, so careful dosage is recommended for the best kratom experience.