Kratom and Turmeric: Two Herbs, One Powerful Impact

When used correctly, kratom and turmeric work synergistically to enhance both the potency and duration of kratom’s overall experience. However, there are certain and more effective techniques than just taking both at the same time. You can also add a third ingredient for even better results.  

You’ll want to learn exactly how to use them together to get the most out of kratom’s many amazing benefits.

Yes, you can mix kratom and turmeric, and doing so will not only potentiate kratom’s effects, but also extend the total duration as well, which is the primary reason why most people mix them in the first place. 

In case you’re not sure what exactly constitutes a potentiator, a kratom potentiation is a substance that increases kratom’s effects, both in duration and power.

Turmeric is only one of the many substances which can potentiate kratom. Other substances include:

• caffeine
• black pepper
• citric acid
• cayenne pepper

In my opinion and from my experience, caffeine is kratom’s best potentiator, as it really makes a difference with regard to potency. 

Potentiators can actually be used for more than enhancing the duration and power kratom has to offer. 

Since many people highly dislike kratom’s bitter taste, they use potentiators to mask the unpleasant taste, thus making it easier to use kratom.

 Kratom capsules can also be used to bypass kratom’s bitter taste, but unlike potentiators, they may actually produce slightly weaker results.

Many people are wary of kratom because they have been falsely led to believe that it is some sort of drug, and although people who abuse it can become dependent on kratom, it is more the exception than the rule.

Kratom offers many amazing uses, which is why it's been used by the natives of Southeast Asia where it's been grown and harvested for hundreds if not thousands of years.

It’s very common for the natives to use the leaves by simply chewing on the trees’ leaves. 

Mostly thanks to Indonesia who is responsible for 95% of kratom exports worldwide, kratom has recently spread into the Western world, where its popularity has rapidly increased, but I digress. 

Kratom’s benefits can be attributed to the alkaloids contained in the leaves. Two alkaloids, 7-Hydroximitragynine and Mitragynine, bind to the same receptors in our brain as opioid drugs, thus producing very similar results.

The higher the concentration of alkaloids in each leaf, the more potent the strain. For example, strains such as Maeng Da, Bali, and Malay are considered very potent strains, and thus, can be said to have a high alkaloid concentration. 

Kratom’s many benefits depend on the color of the strain, as some strains are known for being uppers while others are more relaxing. 

For example, red strains are typically used for:

• Relaxation
• Discomfort relief
• Sleep
• Tension relief

Green and yellow strains are usually used for:

• Tension relief
• Energy boosts
• Mood Boosts
• Discomfort relief
• Appetite suppression

White strains can be used for:

• Energy
• Appetite suppression

Another important factor to keep in mind is how you decide to use kratom, as some forms of use will produce slightly more potent results than others. 

For example, the toss and wash produces more potent and faster results than capsules.
If you're curious about how long it takes to feel kratom's initial effects, check out this post I wrote called, "How Long Does Kratom Take to Kick in?"

The following are all ways you can use kratom:

• Toss N’ Wash (powder)
• Capsules
• Tea
• Extract Powder
• Extract Tablets
• Gummies
• Kratom Shots (liquid)

Extracts are known to produce very potent results because of the higher alkaloid concentration. Therefore, if you're new to kratom I highly suggest using an alternative form.

Turmeric is part of the ginger family, and like kratom, it’s native to the middle east and southeast asia, but is primarily used in India as a traditional medicine and a spice for flavoring stews, cheese, and mustard.

In India, specifically, it was used for upper respiratory tract conditions, skin disorders, and for aiding the digestive system. Interestingly enough, turmeric is an ingredient found in curry, which is very popular in India. 

Nowadays turmeric is considered a dietary supplement that can help with:

• Digestive issues
• Allergies
• Liver disease
• Arthritis
• Respiratory infections
• Depression

However, turmeric is also used in eastern asia, among traditional Chinese medicine.
Its primary component, curcumin, is very effective at reducing inflammation in ligaments or muscles by blocking the COX2 enzyme. 

Turmeric contains multiple compounds called curcuminoids, the most active of these compounds is known as curcumin.

Although curcumin only makes up roughly 3% of turmeric’s content, it’s responsible for turmeric’s orange-like color as well as its very potent antioxidant effects. 

Antioxidants are compounds which reduce the amount of free radicals (waste) produced during our cell’s ATP (energy) process in the mitochondria, or powerhouse, of the cell, if you recall from middle school biology.

These free radicals are essentially atoms which do not contain the requisite number of electrons in their shell, and are thus, constantly looking to bond with other particles, resulting in the oxidative stress. 

However, curcumin bonds to these unstable atoms. Therefore, reducing the amount of oxidative stress, which, over extended periods, is known to cause literal aging in our bodies.

Without curcumin, turmeric would not be anywhere near as useful as it currently is.
Because curcumin is the primary useful compound in turmeric, many turmeric supplements are sold in extract form, containing higher concentrations of curcumin.

Using turmeric as a traditional spice would more than likely not contain the sufficient amount of curcumin needed for its benefits. 

Turmeric binds to kratom alkaloids, thus resulting in a stronger and longer lasting experience. More specifically, turmeric affects how kratom is metabolized. 

Enzymes are proteins in our bodies that have very specific functions. The enzymes responsible for metabolizing kratom alkaloids are primarily cytochrome P450 and CYP3A4, but a bit of contribution is also provided from CYP2D6 and CYP2C9.

Curcumin interacts with the metabolization process, more specifically, by slowing it down so that kratom remains in your body for a longer than usual amount of time. 

Although mixing kratom and turmeric into a beverage or capsule is perfectly okay, there are actually more effective ways of doing so.

The best way to mix kratom and turmeric is to take about 1 teaspoon of turmeric roughly one hour before using kratom, but wait there’s more.

However, if you’re willing to go one extra step, there’s an even better way of mixing the two, or in this case, three.

Black pepper contains a natural substance called piperine, which enhances the absorption of curcumin by up to 2000% percent (big difference if you ask me).
If you happen to purchase a curcumin supplement, make sure it has piperine in it, but back to mixing kratom and turmeric.

Take turmeric (preferably a turmeric supplement as they are more concentrated) along with a pinch of black pepper at the same time.

Black pepper, as previously mentioned, is also a kratom potentiator which helps increase absorption of the alkaloids as well as curcumin, but by combining turmeric and black pepper one hour before using kratom, you're doubling up on the potentiators and drastically increase kratom’s potency.

Like with most substances which require absorption, drink plenty of water along with turmeric, black pepper, and kratom. Water is the easiest and fastest way to produce your desired results.

However, some people like to go the extra mile, and prepare an actual recipe, which you can read about next. 

If mixing kratom and turmeric powder with water is not your thing, feel free to try this relaxing recipe called the Golden Milk, courtesy of Kats Botanicals. 

Add a pinch of turmeric and your regular kratom serving size to soy or regular cows milk. To sweeten the drink, feel free to add honey, maple syrup, or agave syrup. Stir well and enjoy.

Golden milk is usually taken right before going to bed, so I’d recommend using a red strain, such as Red Bali or Red Borneo to enhance the overall calmness and sedation for a good night’s rest. 

These capsule machines allow you to manually fill multiple capsules at once by inserting half the capsule into the slots. Then, you simply pour the powder over them and add the second half of the capsule onto the bottom half. 

Pre-mixing the turmeric and kraotm powder in a bag before pouring it onto the capsule machine will make your life easier. 

Keep in mind it takes 30-45 minutes to feel the initial effects, but they'll be worth the wait!

Using turmeric to potentiate kratom is a great way of enhancing its potency without having to increase your serving size. 

If you don’t mind adding black pepper into the mix, the results will be even better. All of these substances are completely natural.

It’s almost like nature gave us everything we need to improve our well-being without the need of harmful laboratory-made products. 

If possible use turmeric supplements with a higher concentration of curcumin instead of turmeric spice used for foods.