Phytoextractum is an online retailer based in Portland, Oregon, that specializes in a range of botanical products. Established in 2004, the company is a long-standing vendor in the digital marketplace for ethnobotanicals, supplying plant-based goods for nearly two decades.
Primary Botanical Offerings
The main product offered by the company is kratom (Mitragyna speciosa), a tree native to Southeast Asia. This botanical is available in several forms, including raw powder, capsules, and concentrated extracts. The powders and capsules consist of finely milled, dried leaves from the kratom plant, while extracts are more concentrated products that isolate the plant’s primary alkaloids.
Beyond its kratom selection, the company also provides other botanicals. Kava Kava (Piper methysticum) is a significant offering, sourced from the Pacific Islands and made from the plant’s roots. It is sold as root powder, in capsules, and as extracts. The vendor’s catalog also includes other plants like Blue Lotus and accessories for the preparation of these botanicals.
Quality and Sourcing Standards
Phytoextractum is a qualified vendor under the American Kratom Association’s (AKA) Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) program. This certification requires adherence to strict manufacturing, processing, and handling protocols designed to ensure product safety. These standards involve implementing environmental controls, sanitation procedures, and a rigorous screening process for suppliers.
All kratom products undergo laboratory testing to screen for potential contaminants. The purity analysis includes testing for heavy metals such as lead, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury, as well as microbial safety checks for E. coli, Salmonella, yeast, and mold. To ensure accuracy, the company utilizes multiple labs for its testing protocols and can provide a Certificate of Analysis upon request.
Navigating Product Varieties
The primary method of classification is by the color of the leaf’s vein: red, white, or green. These color distinctions are generally associated with different alkaloid profiles, which result from varying harvest times and drying techniques. Each vein color is thought to offer a unique balance of the two most prominent alkaloids, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine.
Red vein strains are typically harvested from the most mature leaves of the kratom tree. The extended exposure to sunlight and specific drying methods contribute to their characteristic alkaloid balance. These strains are often selected by consumers seeking calming and soothing effects. Red Maeng Da and Red Borneo are popular examples in this category.
Green vein kratom is harvested from leaves at a mid-point in their life cycle. It is often described as having a more balanced profile compared to red or white strains. Users often report that green strains, such as Green Malaysian, provide a moderate blend of effects.
White vein kratom comes from young leaves and is dried indoors without any light exposure, which helps preserve its high concentration of mitragynine. This alkaloid is structurally similar to yohimbine, another plant-based stimulant. Consequently, white vein varieties are often chosen by individuals looking for energizing or focus-enhancing properties.