Kratom Tea Guide: Brewing Methods, Preparation & Safety Tips

Jack Botanicals’ kratom products and offered by other vendors have become popular in recent years. Kratom is created using the leaves of the Mitragyna speciosa tree, which is a relative of the coffee plant. In Asia, the Mitragyna leaves have been used for centuries in both religious rituals and as a stimulant or stress reliever. Many new users are a little confused about how to take kratom, but one common and simple way to take Yellow Bali and other kratom strains is in a tea that is popular in the wider natural health community. Some people are wary about kratom tea and associated products as they have safety concerns about consuming it. So, in this article, we will take a closer look at kratom tea, how it can affect our bodies and the potential risks in greater detail. 

The Kratom Tea Basics

The farmers working in the fields in Bali would chew Mitragyna leaves to keep their energy levels up and increase endurance. Some people also believe that the kratom leaves can help create a higher tolerance to heat. So, Kratom leaves have been used as a herbal remedy for centuries to treat throat issues, diarrhea and provide relief from fatigue and pain. Over time, people refined how kratom leaves were consumed, beyond simply chewing them. Some started to crush the leaves to smoke them, while others ground the leaves into a powder to make a tea. 

What Happens When You Drink Kratom Tea?

Kratom leaves contain more than forty active chemical compounds including 7-Hydroxymitragynine and Mitragynine. These are powerful compounds that interact with receptors in the human brain acting as a stimulant and potentially providing pain relief. These effects are extremely variable depending on the quality of the kratom, the specific strain and the dosage levels. For example, you’re likely to feel different effects if you drink a Yellow Bali tea compared to one made with Green Maeng Da.

Users report that kratom acts like a mild stimulant and that drinking tea increases alertness, sociability and energy. In larger doses, there are reports of sedative-like effects which can lead to feelings of calm and mild euphoria. In a very high dose, you could experience formidable sedative effects which may lead to unconsciousness. 

High doses of kratom can also cause detrimental side effects such as nausea and dizziness. There is also a risk of building up a tolerance, which means that you would need to consume higher and higher doses to achieve similar effects. However, this can be offset by taking a break or switching to a different strain at a lower dosage. 

Kratom leaves that are sourced from Southeast Asia have a varying concentration of the chemical compounds including Mitragynine. However, since strains like Yellow Bali are not naturally occurring, the levels can vary dramatically. There are also various factors such as your body weight, age and tolerance that make exact dosage comparisons tricky. So, if you are new to Yellow Bali or drinking kratom tea, it is best to err on the side of caution and start with the lowest dosage. 

How Kratom Tea is Made

To make a kratom tea, you will need approximately 25g of high quality Yellow Bali powder, a small lemon, and clean water. You will also need a fine colander or coffee filter, a saucepan with a pouring lip and a small whisk. 

Add half a cup of water to your saucepan and bring it to a boil. Add your kratom powder and reduce the stove heat. Allow the liquid to simmer for approximately ten minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat and watch for the liquid to change color. Strain the liquid into a cup and add the lemon juice and your preferred sweetener. 

Discard the leftover powder and you can store the tea in your refrigerator for up to five days. Don’t worry too much about the volume of water you use, as the effects should be consistent when you consume the tea. Without sweetening, the tea can taste bitter and earthy, but some people enjoy the taste. You can drink the tea hot or cold, according to your preferences. 

Other Ways to Brew Kratom Tea

Good quality kratom powder is the most common way to make tea, but some vendors offer preprepared tea drinks or tea bags. These can be more convenient for those who don’t have the time to make kratom tea as detailed above. You can simply drop a tea bag into hot water and allow it to brew for a few minutes before adding your sweetener. However, these products do contain a pre-measured amount of kratom, which may not be appropriate for you.

It is also possible to use kratom extract to make tea. Extracts tend to be more concentrated and potent compared to powder, but they can still be used. You simply need to add the extract to your water as detailed above, but be careful with your dosages. You may need to use trial and error to find the sweet spot, starting with small amounts and increasing until you find the desired level. 

Another interesting way to make kratom tea is using the sun tea method. This is a great way to prepare a larger volume of tea. Essentially, the UV rays from the sun are used to heat the water before you add the kratom. The liquid is then left in a sunny spot for approximately an hour. If you want to lower the risk of bacterial growth, use distilled water with this brew method. However, you can easily make as much as a gallon of tea that you can drink throughout the week. Just bear in mind that sun tea may not have the same potency as the other brew methods we’ve discussed. 

If you prefer a cold, sweet drink, you could make kratom iced tea. By adding your preferred sweetener, you can mask the bitterness and slightly earthy taste to create a refreshing drink. 

Some people use kratom capsules to make their kratom iced tea. This method involves emptying the kratom capsule into hot water, stirring until the powder dissolves. You can then leave the liquid to cool. Place it into a refrigerator to chill until you’re ready to drink it. Serve it over ice garnished with slices of lemon. 

Can I Make Kratom Tea Using a Coffee Pot?

While it may seem strange, yes, you can use a coffee pot to make kratom tea. The process only requires a few steps. 

Firstly, fill a pot halfway with water and bring it to the boil. Add your kratom powder to a strainer and place the strainer into your filter basket. Once the water is boiling, pour it over the strainer. To increase the potency of your tea, you can double or triple brew. Leave it to brew for a minimum of five minutes before you remove and discard the filter. Place the tea into the reservoir to run it through. Rinse the container when you’ve made your tea and have completed the process. 

Can I Make Kratom Tea Using a French Press?

You can, but the potency of your kratom tea will depend on how long you steep it in your French press. This is the main difference between brewing kratom tea in a French press rather than using a traditional coffee pot. If you do want to use a French press, you’ll need to follow these steps.

Boil water to approximately 190ºF. Add your crushed kratom leaves or kratom powder  into the beaker and pour over the hot water. Stir in lemon juice and allow to steep for at least five minutes, but if you can let it sit for 15 minutes to intensify the tea potency. Press the regulator down, pour into a cup and add your favorite sweetener. 

Can I Make Kratom Tea Using an Aeropress?

Again, you can use an aeropress, but there are some simple steps you’ll need to follow.

Use kratom powder or grind your kratom leaves to powder. Add the kratom to your aeropress chamber and pour in hot water. Mix your powder water until you can see the powder has dissolved. Place your aeropress chamber on its stand and gently push the plunger down. 

You should now have a potent, concentrated kratom tea. You can add sweetener to taste and then drink your tea hot or cool. 

Making Kratom Tea Using Crushed Leaves

While kratom powder is convenient to make tea, it is still pretty easy to make it using leaves, but you will need a little advanced planning. 

To begin, measure out one or two teaspoons of crushed kratom leaves and add them to a pot. Fill the pot with a cup of water and bring it to the boil over a medium heat, then reduce the heat. Stir your liquid periodically, to ensure the kratom leaves are evenly distributed and allow it to simmer for a minimum of 15 minutes. Strain the liquid using a clean coffee filter, cheesecloth or fine strainer. Your tea is now ready and you can drink it hot or cold, with or without a sweetener. 

Making Kratom Tea Using Fresh Leaves

If you have access to fresh kratom leaves, you can use them to make a tea, but the effects can be compromised if you add acidic ingredients such as lemon juice. This may seem complicated, but there are some pretty straightforward steps to follow. 

Crumble your kratom leaves to make a rough powder, this will make it easier for the leaves to break down in the hot water. When the leaves have started to dissolve, add more hot water and bring it to the boil. Once the liquid is boiling, reduce the heat and simmer for ten to 15 minutes until it reaches a syrup-like consistency. Strain the liquid to remove any leaf residue. Serve your tea hot with lemon slices and your preferred sweetener. 

Making Cold Brew Kratom Tea

If you prefer cold brew beverages, you can still enjoy kratom tea. Soak your kratom leaves in cold water overnight. The following day, strain the infused water as your cold tea. This should contain minerals, essential vitamins and antioxidants that will not have been compromised by heat exposure. Many users believe cold brew kratom tea offers a natural energy boost, acts as a mood enhancer, improves digestion and supports natural immunity. 

Taking Kratom Tea to the Next Level

However you prepare it, you can transform your kratom tea into something very special with a couple of tweaks. 

Infuse your brew with coconut oil for a warmer, more comforting taste.

Add cinnamon sticks or a few cloves for a spicy flavor

You can create a kratom latte by adding sugar, milk, vanilla or even whipped cream

Add ginger, mint or basil to impart a herbal flavor to your kratom tea

Brew in batches and keep your kratom tea in your refrigerator for a refreshing, fast pick me up at any time.

In Conclusion

As we’ve discussed, kratom tea can be a refreshing drink hot or cold and users report benefits from use. You can make tea using leaves, extract or kratom powder. However, it is important to choose a high quality product for consistent and reliable results. 

You will need to experiment with your tea recipe to find the best tea for your needs and preferences. While it is tempting to start with larger quantities, it is best to start with smaller doses. Adding more kratom powder increases the potency, but be sure to pass your tea through a fine mesh strainer to remove particles. Alternatively, you can use an infuser or tea ball, which will impart the kratom alkaloids without needing to strain the tea. 

If you’re interested in kratom tea, why not experiment a little. Whether you start out with a simple cold brew tea or using the powder method or jump straight into using a coffee pot or French press, give it a try and you may be surprised at the end result.