Golden Rule Botanicals Brand Review [2023 Update]

Welcome to this Golden Rule Botanicals review! My focus is on this vendor’s kratom range, so apologies in advance if you wanted information on their hemp-derived CBD or other herbal offerings! But if kratom is your thing, this guide has everything you need to know.

I will start with a general overview of Golden Rule Botanicals and what to expect from this brand.

Golden Rule Botanicals (GRB) is a vendor of “100% Pure Asian Tea & Other Botanicals.” But don’t get it confused, “pure Asian tea” is simply another - albeit unusual! - way of saying kratom. GRB is based in Phoenix, Arizona, where it operates a brick-and-mortar shop.

In addition to kratom, this retailer specializes in shilajit, Mitragyna hirsuta, kava kava, hemp-derived products like CBD, and an array of herbal wellness teas. And this ethnobotanical emporium has acquired a nationwide reputation for its high-quality stock.

GRB’s About Us section states that the company launched in 2013 under a different name. But the goal has remained the same: picking out the herbal products with potential while discarding the slew of snake oil proliferating the market. That is why GRB has such a diverse range.

So, don’t be alarmed that kratom isn’t the only herb in the GRB store. While this would concern me with some vendors, this company is simply enthusiastic about ethnobotanicals. Nothing looks out of place and it hasn’t detracted from the brand’s kratom selection.

That said, I want to keep this review concentrated on GRB’s kratom products. These include plain-leaf kratom powder, stem and vein, innovative powder blends, and crushed leaf kratom. As of June 2023, GRB does not stock kratom edibles, shots, or similar extracts.

GRB markets its kratom powder as “Asian Tea”. There’s a section for “Green Asian Tea,” another for “Red Asian Tea,” and so on. And although you can use kratom powder to brew alkaloid-infused tea, there are many other ways of harnessing this product’s potential.

Kratom powder is suited to the ‘toss and wash’ method if you can stomach the flavor. It also works well as a base for kratom extracts or as an ingredient in homemade capsules. Indeed, versatility is possibly kratom powder’s best quality, along with its cost-effectiveness.

GRB’s “Asian Tea” is third-party lab-tested and made with Mitragyna speciosa only - told you, it’s kratom powder! This vendor stocks numerous green, red, white, and yellow strains and has typed out short descriptions for each. This product is sold in a resealable airtight bag. GRB also sells split half kilos and kilos. You can split these between two and six ways, mixing and matching any strains of your liking.

• Strains: Green Bali, Green Semar, Green Sumatra, Red Bison, Red MD, Red Tiger, White Borneo, White Malay, White Thai, Yellow Sunda, Yellow Vietnam, and more!
• Bag Sizes: 1 ounce, 2 ounces, 4 ounces, 8 ounces, 1 pound, 1 kilogram

GRB’s kratom powder blends could fit into the previous category. But these products are intriguing and unique enough to merit their own section! While there are several strains to choose from, I want to focus on five.

Doublemint: This strain combines Green Indo and Green Tiger to produce a well-balanced experience. Blending the two broadens its characteristics while staying true to the green vein color. Prepare for long-lasting effects and a possible mood boost.

Father’s Helper: Enjoy the benefits of Green Malay, Red Malay, and Red MD in this delightful three-strain blend. GRB suggests Father’s Helper as a strain to settle down with after a long day. This kratom powder blend goes by the seasonal name of ‘Santa’s Helper’.

Mother’s Helper: Let Mitragyna speciosa help you multitask with Mother’s Helper! Red Indo, Green Malay, and Green MD come together in this kratom powder sensation. The well-rounded properties are great when you need balance with a little burst of energy.

Pink MD: What do you get when you pair Red MD with White MD? Pink MD! GRB has made this remarkably simple but wildly successful blend for several years. Whatever is going on with this one, it has stood the test of time.

Wintermint: Looking for an energy boost? GRB’s Wintermint blend combines White Indo and White Thai with the idea of giving you just that! Don’t confuse this blend for Wintermint 2, which is a mix of True Bali, White MD, and White Sumatra.

Crushed leaf (aka loose leaf) kratom is a handy alternative to powder if your preference is kratom tea. Not all vendors stock this form of Mitragyna speciosa, but GRB is astutely aware of its unique benefits and it is a superb addition to their store.

Crushed leaf kratom is easier to steep and strain than finely-ground kratom powder, hence why it is better for brewing tea. You could even add the loose leaf to empty tea bags to enjoy infused kratom beverages on the go. Like kratom powder, crushed leaf is super versatile!

GRB packages its crushed leaf kratom the same way as it does kratom powder. And with three strains and six bag sizes available, there is a loose-leaf product for everybody.

• Strains: Green, Red, and White
• Bag Sizes: 1 ounce, 2 ounces, 4 ounces, 8 ounces, 1 pound, 1 kilogram

While most of us favor the leaves of the kratom plant, some users only have eyes for the stem and vein. And I am not surprised that a vendor like GRB has chosen to sell this niche product.

So, what makes kratom stem and vein so popular? Well, it is often cheaper, although GRB prices stem and vein powder the same as its kratom leaf powder. More notably, some kratom lovers argue that stem and vein hits differently, perhaps due to a distinct alkaloid makeup.

But stem and vein kratom is also less potent and known for its rougher texture. Regardless, this alternative Mitragyna speciosa product is worth a look, and the GRB store is better for stocking it.

• Bag Sizes: 1 ounce, 2 ounces, 4 ounces, 8 ounces

For sure. I am confident that GRB is a legitimate business selling genuine kratom. The American Kratom Association (AKA) certifies GRB as a GMP-qualified vendor, the brand’s products come with third-party lab results, and GRB has a good refund policy.

AKA approval puts them among a select few brands in the U.S. kratom market. It shows that GRB maintains excellent manufacturing standards, even if it doesn’t tell us anything about the vendor’s products.

That comes from the third-party lab results, although they aren’t immediately accessible. You must request these from GRB or enter the password on their protected website page. But crucially, these lab tests happen and give us the inside scoop on the purity and quality of GRB’s kratom.

Finally, GRB has a 14-day refund policy. And you can even get your money back on an opened product, so long as you return 90% or more of the original contents. If GRB was a questionable vendor selling sketchy kratom, they wouldn’t have such a fair refund policy.

My investigation into GRB has left me more than satisfied. But I wanted to search the web to get a more complete picture of Golden Rule’s reputation in the kratom scene. And I found plenty of old and more recent comments from people chatting about the brand on Reddit.

In 2016, u/CafeMariposa had effusive praise for GRB on r/kratom. They loved the Red Bison strain, complimented the customer service, and finished their post with, “I highly recommend them.” How about that for an endorsement?

Redditors were discussing the strongest and most consistent kratom vendor in a post on r/Vendorsofkratom in 2023. Several brands got a mention, but u/NoEmergency392 answered, “In the 6 years hands down, Golden Rule Botanicals.” But their post received two downvotes.

So, it seems not everyone is happy with GRB. However, if a kratom vendor had a 100% approval rate, it would probably put everybody else out of business!

As an AKA-certified and third-party-tested brand, GRB was never going to have rock-bottom prices. But considering this company’s authenticity, I think you get a decent bang for your buck.

GRB has acceptable prices whether you buy a little or a lot - 1 ounce of kratom powder costs $6, while 1 kilogram comes in at $112, and they don’t charge extra for blends! However, you will have to tack on tax and shipping costs.

For some shoppers, GRB’s extensive quality control checks will be surplus to requirements. But others will appreciate the additional assurances. If you aren’t prepared to take any chances, GRB’s setup is likely to appeal and worth paying a bit more for.

Unconvinced by GRB? Check out the company’s Beginners Kits and Sample Packs. With these products, you can get a feel for what they do without shelling out a small fortune. Or have a browse through some alternative kratom brands.

That is it for this Golden Rule Botanicals review! This is a legit vendor with dozens of premium-grade kratom products. Sure, they might not be the cheapest brand on the market, but GRB’s reputation for quality has helped them enjoy sustained success.