How Long Does Kratom Stay Fresh?
Kratom is an herbal extract utilized as a supplement to provide cures for medical illnesses. Its habitual usage has been exponentially increasing due to its ability to elevate the user’s temperaments by soothing the nerves.
Frequent consumers of Kratom all over the world only wish to explore more of its benefits for their well-being. With increased medicinal treatments, many users end up purchasing Kratom in bulk but fail to store it adequately and waste the excess amount. This brings us to the question about the lifespan of Kratom forms and how long they can stay fresh. Should consumers purchase Kratom in bulk to save delivery costs, or should they acquire it monthly? The ideal situation for consumers would be to buy long-lasting Kratom to maximize value.
This article is the perfect guide to cover Kratom’s lifespan, expiration, and decay comprehensively. The best way to answer the question on Kratom’s ability to stay fresh can be by analyzing the details of Kratom and the factors that affect the time span of the powder before it goes bad. According to research, there are various factors that must be kept in mind since they affect the durability of Kratom. At the end of the day, users get extremely upset once they have to discard Kratom, which wasn’t sufficiently stored and treated. Hence, this article will evaluate all factors affecting the duration until Kratom is usable and evaluates the time period till Kratom can be considered fresh.
How Long Does Kratom Last?
A common query while purchasing Kratom revolves around whether a large dosage can be purchased and stored at once or whether it is to be bought on need and requirement. Kratom’s effective potency lasts around one month, given that it is adequately stored since it’s an organic compound. After that, it gradually starts to lose its freshness. However, it is worth noting that the lifespan of Kratom can easily be extended to three months if Kratom is kept in suitable conditions, which are further discussed in the following sections.
Phytochemical Stability
As scientists worldwide discovered, Kratom contains twenty different types of alkaloids, also referred to as phytochemicals, which provide medicinal benefits. The strains of these phytochemicals in Kratom determine the shelf life of the herb. The alkaloid concentration in Kratom is the highest when the plant leaves are removed from the tree. After being harvested and removed from the tree, the alkaloids within the Kratom leaves steadily start decomposing. The molecular connections within the alkaloid begin to deteriorate with time due to the process of entropy, causing the Kratom powder to lose its efficiency ultimately. Examples of alkaloids with a short life include Mitragynine and 7-Hydroxymitragynine.
Factors Reducing The Freshness Of Kratom
Even though Kratom’s durability depends on the alkaloid strain and potency present in the powder, a few factors affect its strength and eventually stretch the lifespan of Kratom if treated with caution.
Exposure To Moisture
If moisture seeps into the Kratom, there is a high chance you’ll notice a growth of mold strain within the powder. A slight trace of mold in your powder makes the whole stock worthless since consuming any food item with mold is dangerous for your health. To prevent moisture exposure, secure Kratom in an air-tight jar and extract the powder using dry apparatuses while changing containers or measuring the prescribed amount. Also, try to keep Kratom away from humidity and damp environments by placing a piece of paper towel in the pot to absorb the moisture.
Exposure To Prolonged U.V. Radiation (I.E., Direct Sunlight)
The conditions of storage spaces for Kratom are significant to keep it fresh. It’s necessary to retain the powder in cool and dry conditions and to protect it from U.V. radiations. That is why it’s imperative to keep Kratom away from sunlight too. If exposed to sunlight, the strength and color weaken, and the alkaloids decompose. Direct exposure to sunlight initiates the process of alkaloid disintegration, while indirect light enables chemical deterioration.
As a safety precaution, Kratom must be stored in opaque containers in a cool and dark place, ensuring a consistent temperature. It is recommended to avoid storage locations with fluctuating temperatures. The perfect example includes the kitchen pantry or a refrigerator, but it’s essential to be cautious of the food items stored next to it. A strong smell can seep into Kratom and affect its bitter taste, making it seem spoiled. Furthermore, after allocating space for Kratom, you should wipe the shelves clean and ensure there is no moisture content on the surface.
Oxygen
High exposure to oxygen content reduces the shelf life for Kratom by a significant amount since it spoils quickly. Oxidization quickly makes the Kratom stale since the primary alkaloid, Mitragynine, is oxidized to Mitragynine Pseudoindoxyl.
A few indicators of excessive oxygen contact are evident through fading leaves and diminished aroma. It’s necessary to store Kratom in an air-tight jar with a vacuum seal to limit air contact. For short-term storage, air-tight packaging such as Mason jars with easy-to-open lids and a rubber seal can be used since they are easily accessible. It must be noted that glass jars with loose lids increase the risk of moisture and air traveling into the pot and contaminating the Kratom.
For long-term storage, a vacuum sealer or vacuum-sealed food vessels that can be easily re-sealed can be utilized to ensure long shelf life. The vacuum-sealed packages can be stored in the refrigerator for optimal conditions. Once it has to be used, you can warm the frozen Kratom to room temperature before opening the lid to prevent immediate exposure to the air or humidity. Additionally, it is not recommended to store Kratom for more than 12 months since it might start to deteriorate beyond that time.
Is It Safe To Use Kratom After It Expires?
Utilizing Kratom that has been contaminated with mold is considered expired. Consuming Kratom that has been open to mold or moisture is harmful since it’s hazardous for your health. Even if you attempt to remove mold from the surface, it will still be tainted since mold spores are microscopic.
If you have mold-free Kratom, you can use it for your requirements. While there is no harm in consuming Kratom after it expires, stale Kratom has limited benefits too. You will not be able to acquire the advantages since Kratom would’ve lost its potency. Kratom past its designated shelf life will lack numerous Kratom effects, such as soothing and energizing sensations that promote a sense of well-being within an individual. Expired Kratom will also be missing the strength to initiate laser focus in the user.
Extending The Shelf Life Of Kratom
There are numerous methods to prolong the serviceable life of Kratom. The following points focus on the steps to protect it.
- Always use dry utensils to prevent mold formation while measuring or shifting the powder.
- Make sure to keep an eye out for adulterated Kratom that contains mold. Kratom that is in the perfect state has even consistency and color.
- Don’t be mistaken by the strong smell of Kratom. It might seem like it’s no longer fresh, but that is just its natural scent.
- It would help if you were wary of the signs that indicate Kratom is no longer fresh. They include color loss, loss of scent, or signs of deterioration.
- As an alternative, Kratom can be stored in empty capsules with gel coating and placed in light-resistant containers.
- Try to stock your Kratom in its original packing.
- Store the powder in a cool and dry location that has no contact with light.
The best way to ensure that the expiry of Kratom is extended is by storing the dosage of specific dosage of Kratom powder in individual jars, preferably glass jars, since plastic jars might alter the chemical composition of the powder. Wash your jars with boiled water to disinfect them, leave them out to dry, and add the Kratom powder based on measurement. Ensure that the jars are air-tight and keep the remaining jars intact while consuming one jar. Alternatively, you can add jar labels that signify the strain of Kratom and the opening date of the packet to ensure that you’re being updated with the shelf life of each Kratom batch purchased.
Conclusion
Whether you’re purchasing raw Kratom, Kratom capsules, or Kratom tinctures, it is always suggested to consume Kratom from reliable vendors. Premium quality Kratom from trustworthy vendors will last longer and is more impactful, which will come at a high cost. It’s advised to store it in adequate conditions to ensure its potency does not deplete. Rather than carelessly placing your Kratom powder anywhere, make sure to keep it away from variables that reduce its freshness. While there is no set expiry date for Kratom, you can utilize it for up to three months if you apply the factors that extend its shelf life.