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As a verb, the word "extract" means to remove,
or take out, especially by force. Plant have been extracted for centuries, to
either concentrate or make the active components more available to the user.
In fact, people don't think about it, but TEA is a form of plant extraction!
When discussed in terms of kratom extract, however, the word "extract" is used
as a noun with a very specific meaning. Namely, "a preparation containing the
active ingredient of a substance in a concentrated form." Just as vanilla
extract is a concentrated, strong form of a favorite baking spice, so too is
kratom extract a more potent version of Mitragyna speciosa leaf.
The majority of natural essences are obtained by extracting the essential oils
from the blossoms, fruit, and roots of plants. In the case of fruit flavors,
such as banana, cherry, currant, and others, extracts are produced by chemical
combinations of compound ethers, special oils, and dyes to achieve the desired
colors. The most common ethers employed in this process are acetic and butyric.
In the case of kratom extract, the herbal benefits of this amazingly diverse
plant are removed from the leaves and condensed into a more powerful form.
Freshly picked kratom leaves ensure that the extract will be as potent as
possible. The various strengths are measured by the amount of leaf that is
reduced to an gram of extract. So, in the case of 10x extract, ten grams of
leaves result in one gram of extract. Stronger kratom extracts will likewise be
drawn from more leaves into one gram of powder, which, unlike some extracts
which take the form of resin, will mix easily and thoroughly with all liquids.
Specific to Mitragyna speciosa
(Kratom):
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