RESEARCH COMPANION · ADULTS 21+ · REVIEWED OCTOBER 3, 2026
Kratom colors, genetics and drying: a closer look at the evidence
What does a red, green, white or gold label actually tell you? This companion to our names and colors guide separates botanical identity, genetic variation, appearance, measured chemistry and personal reports. Below are six primary studies, selected numerical results and the limits of what those findings establish.
Kratom is Mitragyna speciosa, a species with natural genetic and chemical variation. Retail color names are not verified genetic classifications. Drying can affect powder color, while vein color can change with leaf development. Those observations do not establish fixed color-specific effects, nor do they prove that every seller’s powder is identical.
Five terms that should not be used interchangeably
- Species
- The botanical identity: Mitragyna speciosa. Sharing a species does not mean every individual plant is genetically or chemically identical.
- Genotype
- Genetic characteristics of a plant. A study’s sample count, DNA-barcode grouping or statistical population cluster is not a worldwide count of genotypes.
- Phenotype
- An observable feature, such as leaf shape or vein color, influenced by genetics, development and environment.
- Chemotype
- A grouping based on measured chemical composition. It need not map directly to a retail name or a genetic group.
- Retail name
- A catalog label such as Red Maeng Da, Thai or Gold. Without supporting documentation it does not authenticate genetics, geographic origin or a standardized effect.
Six studies: methods, data and limits
These are original research papers, not clinical endorsements of our products. Numbers below retain their study context. Open each paper for full methods, tables, statistical analyses and author disclosures.
2022 · Genetics across 85 Thai accessions
Design: Pootakham and colleagues assembled a kratom genome and studied 85 Thai accessions using 2,492 SNP markers.
Data: Their population model best fit two mixed subpopulations, broadly associated with Central Thailand versus Western/Southern Thailand.
What it adds: One species can contain genetic diversity. Two statistical population groups are not two retail strains—or a worldwide count of genotypes.
Limit: This was a geographically bounded genetic study, not an experiment comparing customer experiences or a census of all kratom trees.
Read the original paper: Pootakham et al. · Biology · Genome assembly and genetic diversity
2026 · Leaf development and eight Thai accessions
Design: Ransden and colleagues examined eight accessions, four DNA-barcode regions and 17 targeted alkaloids in juvenile and mature leaves.
Data: Mitragynine reached 1.19% of dry leaf mass in mature leaves; speciociliatine reached 1.14% in juvenile leaves. Vein color varied with developmental stage within a tree.
What it adds: A leaf’s developmental stage matters, and vein color need not identify a fixed genetic type.
Limit: Eight accessions do not represent every population. A percentage for one alkaloid is not total alkaloid content, and these botanical measurements do not predict a consumer’s response.
2025 · Controlled withering and drying experiments
Design: Zhang and colleagues compared two cultivars, Hawaii and MR-Malaysian, harvested in two seasons. They varied withering duration and drying temperature.
Data: Hotter drying produced reddish-brown powder; lower-temperature treatments retained greener powder. Reported dry-powder mitragynine ranges were about 0.5–1.5% for Hawaii and 0.2–1.4% for MR-Malaysian.
What it adds: Processing can change appearance and measured composition. Similar-looking powders can still have different alkaloid profiles.
Limit: The experiment does not establish a universal red/green/white processing recipe or effect. The paper reports both powder and extracted-material results; percentages must retain the correct sample basis. Its 7-OH estimates for dry leaf were lower than its alkaloid-extract percentages.
2023 · Season and geography in 745 Thai samples
Design: Sengnon and colleagues analyzed 134 samples in an initial collection and 611 in a broader collection across seasons and Thai regions, using a validated HPLC method.
Data: The initial collection’s mitragynine range included 0.74–4.94% by weight. The broader collections showed different ranges across sampling periods, including 0.35–3.46% in June–August 2021.
What it adds: Natural leaf chemistry can vary with collection conditions. “Kratom is one species” does not mean every leaf or batch has identical chemistry.
Limit: Observational sampling does not isolate every environmental cause. These are research leaf-sample results, not specifications for Laughing Lion powder or proof of therapeutic effects.
Read the original paper: Sengnon et al. · Plants · Seasonal and geographic alkaloid variation
2023 · Color-label experiences versus product analyses
Design: Huisman and colleagues anonymously surveyed 644 current users. Most were customers of one vendor; analyses were available for six commercial products.
Data: Reported experiences differed in ways consistent with familiar color marketing, while the product analyses found no statistically significant differences in measured alkaloid content across the strain categories.
What it adds: The authors suggested expectations and marketing could influence reported differences.
Limit: This was not a blinded randomized trial. A finding of no statistically significant difference does not prove chemical identity, establish that experiences were imaginary or show that all vendors’ powders are equivalent.
2020 · Chemical diversity across 53 commercial products
Design: Todd and colleagues profiled 53 commercial kratom products with LC–MS metabolomics and studied selected alkaloids in laboratory assays.
Data: They identified two chemical groupings distinguished by speciofoline levels. DNA barcoding confirmed both as Mitragyna speciosa.
What it adds: The same species can produce chemically different materials. A chemotype is not automatically a retail color or genetic strain.
Limit: Laboratory receptor and enzyme findings do not establish safe clinical use, a medical benefit or a particular experience from a retail product. These products were not Laughing Lion batch comparisons.
How to read an alkaloid result without losing its meaning
- Identify the material. Fresh leaf, dry leaf, finished powder, laboratory extract and retail extract are different sample types.
- Keep the denominator. “1% of dry leaf mass” differs from “1% of extracted alkaloid material” or “1% of total alkaloids.” Do not compare those percentages as if they describe the same thing.
- Check units. For an actual 1.5% by-weight powder measurement, 1 gram contains 15 mg of the measured compound. This arithmetic does not establish a safe serving or a future batch’s composition.
- Distinguish detection from quantification. Not detected means below a method’s detection limit, not proven zero. Below the quantification limit means a reliable numerical amount could not be reported at that level. Limits depend on the method and material.
- Check what was measured. A mitragynine result does not describe every alkaloid, establish 7-OH content or replace contaminant testing.
- Read uncertainty and sampling. A mean, range, standard error and single-sample result answer different questions. A laboratory report is evidence about a tested sample, not a guarantee for an individual.
How this relates to Laughing Lion products
Our familiar names preserve product history. Our named blends were originally distinct formulations.
*Current Laughing Lion plain-leaf powder and capsule products use the same powder within a given batch, regardless of strain, color or historical blend name. Current historical blends are not mixtures of different powders. Batches can change over time.
In 11 years of testing our plain-leaf powder, Laughing Lion has not seen a 7-OH result above 0.01%. This describes our testing history; check the available report for your batch. Naturally occurring trace 7-OH in plain leaf differs from added or concentrated 7-OH in enhanced products. A low 7-OH result alone does not establish that a product is risk-free.
That owner-reported history is separate from the studies above. Those papers did not test our full product range or verify our testing history. The 0.01% statement is not a calculated average, a universal detection limit or a specification for every powder sold elsewhere. Consult the available batch information or ask us about your package.
What remains unresolved?
A useful next step would be blinded, controlled comparisons using authenticated materials, documented processing and matching batch measurements. Researchers would need to separate expectations, amount used, other substances, tolerance and individual differences from chemical differences. Current evidence does not establish a universal retail color-to-effect system or a fixed worldwide genotype count.
Personal experiences deserve respectful discussion. They can generate research questions, but they cannot alone determine causation or authenticate a genetic strain. Equally, a small product analysis that finds similar results cannot demonstrate that all kratom products are equivalent.
Important safety information
For adults 21+ only. Do not use if pregnant or nursing. Do not combine with alcohol, opioids, sedatives or other drugs. Discuss medications and medical conditions with a healthcare professional. Do not drive or operate machinery after use. Keep away from children.
Regular use can lead to dependence and withdrawal. Adverse effects and serious events have been reported in people using kratom. Other substances and incomplete information can complicate interpretation, but do not establish that kratom is risk-free. Stop use and seek medical advice for an adverse reaction or difficulty reducing use. A seizure, trouble breathing or loss of consciousness requires emergency help. Kratom is not an FDA-approved treatment; our products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease.
For broader health information, see NIH NCCIH and our 7-OH safety guide. Botanical and chemistry studies do not establish that retail kratom is safe and effective for medical use.
Prefer a shorter guide?
Thai names and sourcing · Indo labels · Red names · Green Maeng Da · White names · Gold history
Browse all kratom products · Frequently asked questions
Prepared by Laughing Lion Herbs. This is a selected evidence review, not a systematic review or personalized medical advice. Published October 3, 2026. Source links identify the original studies; citing a researcher does not imply their endorsement of our products.