Kratom and kava are natural plant extracts linked to numerous health and wellness benefits. They may help those with substance abuse issues in the withdrawal process, promote relaxation, and, depending on the dosage, increase focus and energy levels. You may have heard of kratom vs kava discussions or kava bars in urban areas, which serve powders and teas that mix kava and kratom into relaxing beverages. 

Plus, these plant extracts may help you sleep and ease anxiety without the use of prescription drugs. With that being said, kratom and kava supplements are not designed to be used as a substitute for medications prescribed by your doctor.

Let's take a look at some of the best kava and kratom supplements on the market right now, as well as what you may experience when you add one to your wellness regime.

Best Kratom and Kava Products

1. Best Overall Kratom Supplement: Kratom Country Green Kali Maeng Da Kratom Powder
2. Best Supplement for Relaxation: Super Speciosa Super Feels Chill Vibes: Kava & Kratom Shot
3. Best Tasting Kava Supplement: K Tropix Kava Shots
4. Best Kratom Supplement for Maintaining Focus: Kingdom Kratom Green Maeng Da Kratom Powder

 

What Is Kratom?

Kratom is a plant from the coffee family that is native to Southeast Asia. For centuries, it's been used as a traditional medicine to treat pain and maintain the energy levels of field workers. In the last decade, kratom has boomed in popularity in the natural supplement market, as it has the potential to boost energy levels, improve focus, ease pain, support sleep, promote relaxation, and even help with opioid withdrawal.

The therapeutic effects of kratom are believed to be the result of several biologically active alkaloids present in the leaves, with the most abundant being alkaloids mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine. High doses of mitragynine are associated with a stimulant effect, while lower doses are believed to have sedative effects.

A few different kratom strains are identified by the color of the veins of the leaves and the plant's geographic origin. Popular kratom strains include red Bali kratom, maeng da kratom, and green Thai kratom.

What Is Kava?

Kava is an extract from the roots of the Piper methysticum plant, native to the South Pacific. The kava plant has played a role in many Polynesian cultures. 

While many users like to mix kratom and kava together, these two plants are distinct, with key differences in how they affect the human body. Kratom tends to interact with opiate receptor agonists, while kava interacts with GABA receptors, opiate receptors, and even benzodiazepine receptors. 

Compounds in the extracts called kavalactones are believed to have anti-anxiety effects, as well as potentially helping to reduce stress, ease sleep issues, and assist withdrawal from benzodiazepines.

Best Kratom and Kava Products

Let's take a look at some of the best kratom and kava products to add to your wellness routine in 2025.

 

1. Best Overall Kratom Supplement: Kratom Country Green Kali Maeng Da Kratom Powder

What we love

Ideal for enhancing concentration and focus, the gentle uplift of the Green Kali Maeng Da Kratom Powder from Kratom Country offers a nice balance between potency and calm. The finely milled powder can be used in various ways. Add it to hot and cold beverages in the morning for a caffeine-like boost without the jitters, or add it to your daily cereal for a boosted breakfast.

Kratom Country sends each batch of Green Kali Maeng Da Kratom Powder for third-party testing to ensure it's free of any biological contaminants, impurities, and extra kratom strains.

Pros:

• Made from kratom sourced from Southeast Asia
• No artificial ingredients
• Third-party tested
• Money-back guarantee

Cons:

• No subscribe and save option

Specs:

• Size: 1, 4, 8, 16, and 32oz containers
• Strength: 100% Mitragyna speciosa kratom powder

Learn more about Kratom County Green Kali Maend Da Kratom Powder

2. Best Supplement for Relaxation: Super Speciosa Super Feels Chill Vibes: Kava & Kratom Shot

What we love

Powered by kratom and kava, the Super Feels Chill Vibes Shot from Super Speciosa promotes rapid-release relaxation, soothing the body and mind and encouraging focus. It is entirely caffeine- and alcohol-free, and it may help lift spirits and boost mood without jitters or other after-effects.

If you're not a massive fan of the slightly earthy taste of kratom and kava extracts, you're sure to appreciate the natural apple flavor that is sweet and subtle. Each batch is sent for third-party lab testing to ensure purity and potency. You'll find no hidden nasties here.

Pros:

• Blend of kratom and kava
• All natural ingredients
• Independently lab tested
• Subscribe and save 20%

Cons:

• May not be potent enough for some users

Specs:

• Size: 60ml bottle (two servings per bottle)
• Strength: 35mg of mitragynine and 25mg of kavalactones per serving

Learn more about Super Speciosa Super Feels Chill Vibes Kava & Kratom Shots

 

3. Best Tasting Kava Supplement: K Tropix Kava Shots

What we love

Featuring delicious natural tropical flavors, the Kava Shots from K Tropix offers a tasty and natural way for stress relief and relaxation for those looking for an alternative to alcohol. The shots are completely natural, and each bottle contains a potent dose of 500mg of pure kava extract.

K Tropix is committed to quality and manufactures its entire product line in GMP-compliant facilities. Plus, every batch is sent for third-party lab testing to ensure the potency matches the packaging and that the kava shots are free of impurities.

Pros:

• Pure kava extract
• All natural ingredients
• Natural tropical flavor
• Subscribe and save up to 20%

Cons:

• Not as efficient as capsule form

Specs:

• Size: 2oz bottle
• Strength: 500mg of kava extract per bottle

Learn more about K Tropix Kava Shots

 

4. Best Kratom Supplement for Maintaining Focus: Kingdom Kratom Green Maeng Da Kratom Powder

What we love

Maintain focus and energy throughout the day with the Green Maeng Da Kratom Powder from Kingdom Kratom. A small amount of green kratom in your morning beverage will help keep you going throughout the day without the dip in energy levels that often come with caffeine.

The powder is delivered in a resealable foil bag to help maintain its freshness. Plus, Kingdom Kratom sends its entire product line for third-party testing to ensure no impurities or contaminants and that the potency is where it should be.

Pros:

• Organic kratom
• All natural formulation
• Money-back guarantee
• Independently lab tested

Cons:

• Slightly bitter aftertaste

Specs:

• Size: 25, 50, 250, 500, or 1000 g of kratom powder per container
• Strength: 1-2g per serving

Learn more about Kingdom Kratom Green Maeng Da Kratom Powder

 

How We Found The Best Kratom and Kava Products

Dietary supplements are not subject to the same strict regulation as drugs, which means that not all kratom or kava products on the market will be of high quality. We checked for some key criteria for a supplement to make it onto our list.

Ingredient Quality

With loose regulations, a kratom or kava supplement could be made with poor-quality ingredients and cause safety concerns. We checked that each supplement we recommended was free of artificial ingredients such as fillers and preservatives and prioritized brands that declared the source of their plant extracts.

Manufacturing and Third-Party Testing

We ensured each recommended supplement was sent for third-party testing for potency and purity. This guarantees that a supplement contains consistent and accurate doses and is free of contaminants.

How a supplement is manufactured can also impact its quality. We favor brands that manufacture in facilities that are compliant with CGMP (Current Good Manufacturing Guidelines). These are minimum requirements set by the FDA for manufacturing, ensuring supplements are produced to a high standard with minimal risk of contamination.

Positive Customer Reviews

We know better than to take a brand's claims about its supplements as a given. To get real insights into the effectiveness and value of a kratom or kava supplement, we head straight to the customer reviews. The experiences of real customers offer real insights into how well a supplement works and information on how well it's tolerated and the possible benefits.

We only shortlisted kratom or kava supplements from brands that have a proven history of primarily positive customer reviews.

 

How to Find the Best Kratom and Kava Products for You

To figure out what kratom or kava supplement is going to be right for you, there are a few things to keep in mind.

Intended Benefit

When it comes to a kratom vs. kava supplement, the intended benefit is a significant factor in how you choose. For example, if you're looking for a supplement to help ease your stress and calm anxiety, a kava supplement or a red or yellow kratom powder are your best options, as they are known for their soothing properties.

If you're hoping to boost energy and focus throughout the day, kratom powders made from white or green vein leaves are believed to have a caffeine-like stimulant effect.

Form

If, like some of us, you find kratom capsules hard to swallow, you'll find plenty of kava and kratom powders and gummies available that are much easier to take consistently. Gummies won't leave you with an aftertaste, and powders have the versatility of being easy to add to your favorite drinks and foods.

 

Potential Benefits of Kratom and Kava

As it stands, both kava and kratom are understudied, and therefore, any proposed benefits are not currently proven. However, early anecdotal evidence suggests the potential benefits of kratom include:

• Pain relief: The alkaloid compounds in kratom may provide some pain relief by binding to opioid receptors. However, while kratom may act in a similar way to opioid medications, it's an atypical opioid, which makes it more tolerable.
• Promote relaxation: Higher doses of kratom are believed to have a sedative effect, potentially promoting relaxation, boosting mood, and reducing stress and anxiety.
• Boost energy: Lower kratom doses of certain strains may produce a stimulant effect that can last throughout the day. These stimulating properties may improve focus and boost energy levels, similar to caffeine without the jitters.
• Aid opioid addiction: As an atypical opioid, kratom may help manage the withdrawal symptoms that come with weaning off opioids, but more research is needed.

The majority of research into the benefits of kava has focused on its anti-anxiety properties. However, some small studies have shown that kava can help relieve stress, promote healthy sleep, ease pain, and potentially help withdrawal from benzodiazepines.

 

Potential Side Effects of Kratom and Kava

Although more research is needed, kratom is believed to be well-tolerated in most cases. However, new users could experience some side effects, including:

• Anxiety
• Irritability/mood swings
• Gastrointestinal issues such as nausea, constipation, and diarrhea
• Headaches
• Lethargy
• Excessive sweating
• Dry mouth
• Weight loss
• In rarer cases, liver damage, seizures, and hallucinations

Kava has a long history of use, particularly in the Pacific Islands, so some potential side effects have been reported in research. They include.

• Dry, scaly skin and pigmented skin on the hands and feet
• Involuntary tremors
• Fast heart rate
• Drowsiness
• In rare cases, liver damage
• Interactions with sedative medications

You can minimize your risk of side effects by starting with a low dose of kratom or kava to help your body adjust to the plant extracts. There is some evidence to suggest that long-term use of kratom, in particular, can increase tolerance, leading to dependency, i.e., a kratom addiction. This means if you suddenly stop using kratom, you might experience withdrawal symptoms like muscle aches, digestive issues, and fatigue.

We recommend speaking with your doctor before you start taking a daily kratom or kava supplement just to be sure that it's okay for you to take and won't interact with any of your current medications. Plus, avoid taking kratom or kava if you're pregnant or breastfeeding without the go-ahead from a healthcare professional.

 

FAQs

What is the legal status of kava and kratom?

Kava and kratom are not currently considered as controlled substances in the US, and they are legal for use as dietary supplements. However, there may be state-specific regulations that prohibit the use of these plant extracts. It's important to check your state's laws before buying.

Can I use kava and kratom while pregnant?

As the research into the effects of kava and kratom is still in the early stage, it's advised that those who are pregnant or breastfeeding avoid supplements containing these plant extracts unless permitted by their doctor.

Does kava or kratom contain caffeine?

Kava and kratom teas, powders, and capsules don't typically contain caffeine. Instead, they provide a natural boost without the jitters or other side effects of caffeine.

Is there a risk of kratom addiction?

You may develop a kratom addiction if you are taking high doses of the plant extract over the long term. Therefore, you may develop withdrawal symptoms if you suddenly stop taking it. You can minimize your risk of experiencing withdrawal by only using kratom when you need it and by not increasing your dose unless it's necessary.

 

Kratom vs. Kava: Who Will Win?

So, in the battle of kratom vs kava, which one comes out on top? The answer depends on what you're looking to gain from your supplement. If you are hoping to boost your focus and energy levels throughout the day, a kratom supplement (mainly containing green vein varieties) is an excellent option for you.

If relaxation, stress relief, easing anxiety, or getting a good night's sleep is what you need, a kava supplement or a red vein kratom supplement may be just what you need. Alternatively, you could choose a supplement that contains both kratom and kava for a balanced effect and overall sense of well-being.

However, before you start adding any new supplement to your daily routine, you should consult with your doctor, particularly if you're taking medications for a preexisting condition.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Kratom, CBD, and THC products are not currently evaluated or approved by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult a healthcare professional before using these products, especially if you have a medical condition or are taking medications. Check your local laws regarding kratom, CBD, and THC usage, as regulations vary by jurisdiction.