Is it a good idea to freeze Kratom? Certainly, when you place an order for Kratom with your favorite vendor, the next question they ask is probably “How would you like your order shipped?” Many vendors will tell you that they recommend against freezing the product in most cases. However, there are times when freezing can be beneficial.
Kratom comes from a tree that is part of the coffee family. It grows in Southeast Asia and Papua New Guinea, where it has been used for centuries to help people ease pain or feel more energetic. Traditionally, Kratom was chewed or made into a tea by crushing the leaves into powder form.
Today, most people use Kratom as a dietary supplement. Sometimes it is added to tea or other drinks, and other times, people put it into capsules. Some also take it by mouth through tablets and powders.
Read more: A User’s Guide to Buying Kratom
How Does Freezing Kratom Powder Work?
The main reason that freezing Kratom affects its potency is the addition of moisture. Unlike plant matter (a material used to create many other types of supplements), Kratom has very little space between the particles that make up its powder. More specifically, when kratom powder is left out in humid conditions, it absorbs moisture from the environment and can lose potency and efficacy.
When kratom powder is frozen, the water molecules inside the kratom powder freeze and expand, resulting in a loss of moisture to the environment and an increase in pressure that squeezes all of the water out of the Kratom powder itself. This process essentially restores kratom powder to its original potency and makes it more effective.
The benefits of freezing Kratom are that when stored properly in an airtight container, Kratom will maintain most of its potency indefinitely when kept at freezing temperatures. The downside to freezing Kratom is that it will somewhat reduce its potency. The specific percentage reduction in strength depends on many factors. Still, you should expect to lose around 10% up to as much as 30% of the original strength when properly frozen and thawed out again.
Read more: Selecting The Finest Organic Kratom Strains Available
How To Freeze Kratom The Right Way
Kratom should be stored in a dry, dark, and cool place. Your powder will stay fresh for at least two years if you follow this simple rule!
Certain types of containers are highly recommended for storing your kratom powder. These can be glass jars or plastic containers with airtight lids. Make sure the container closes tightly! If you want to store your Kratom for an extended period, it’s best to use oxygen-barrier containers. These can be expensive, but they are definitely worth the money.
Kratom has moderate hygroscopic properties. Its natural habitat is humid and sub-tropical for this reason. That’s why many people assume that proper storage means keeping the powder in a humid place. This is actually wrong! If you want your Kratom to stay fresh, you MUST keep it in an airtight container AND store it in a cool, dark place.
So, how should you choose the right storage conditions? A commonly accepted rule of thumb for storing Kratom is the “Never Let Water Get in the Jar Rule.” This means that your product should never be allowed to come into direct contact with water. This is because water may contain various contaminants that can dissolve in the powder and thus cause irreparable damage to the alkaloids.
The Do’s and Don’ts of Kratom Storage
- Keep Kratom in a Cool, Dark Space
Kratom will benefit greatly from being kept in a cool, dark place that is as close to 32°F as possible. The plant leaves will begin to break down and rot if they are exposed to temperature extremes, especially heat.
- Keep Kratom Dry
Kratom plants do not like water and will degrade rapidly in wet conditions. As such, Kratom must be kept dry. If you are not currently storing your Kratom in a proper container, use one immediately, especially if it is being kept outside where moisture levels are naturally higher.
- Kratom Loses Potency Over Time
As with all dried goods, the longer Kratom sits out after drying or processing, the more of its chemical components will degrade over time, including the active alkaloids that are most sought-after by customers. As such, it is important to use Kratom within a reasonable amount of time after buying it or processing it yourself.
- Freezing Kratom Is OK
If you can find a freezer big enough for your kratom stash, it should be kept in it. Freezing your Kratom will keep it fresh longer than if it were stored at other temperatures, including refrigeration. However, you should avoid refreezing and re-freezing your Kratom; while this won’t hurt the plant itself, the water extracted from it and then reintroduced can harm its chemical makeup.
- Keep Kratom Away from Light and Heat During Freezing
You must keep Kratom away from light and heat while it is being frozen or re-frozen, as this will cause more degradation than anything else. Make sure to put your Kratom in an air-tight container before putting it in the freezer to keep it fresh.
Kratom can be a great herbal medication, but it can rot quickly if stored poorly or for too long. Make sure you know the best way to store Kratom before using it yourself to avoid wasting your money and time.
Way More Naturals is a nationwide supplier of cheap Kratom, so if you have questions regarding proper storage or need wholesale Kratom supplies, please feel free to give us a call!