Kava and kratom are two different plants with different active compounds. Kava comes from the root of Piper methysticum and contains kavalactones. Kratom comes from the leaf of Mitragyna speciosa and contains alkaloids such as mitragynine. The two are sold in similar formats, but they are not the same product and are not interchangeable.
This guide compares kava and kratom by plant, active compounds, origin, formats, taste, and legal status, so you can decide which to buy. If you want both in one product, HITT also carries kava and kratom shots.
TL;DR: Key Takeaways
Kava and kratom are different plants with different active compounds. Kava is a root (Piper methysticum) that contains kavalactones. Kratom is a leaf (Mitragyna speciosa) that contains alkaloids like mitragynine. They are sold in similar formats, such as powders, capsules, and shots, but they are not the same product.
- Kava comes from the root of the Piper methysticum plant and contains kavalactones.
- Kratom comes from the leaf of the Mitragyna speciosa tree and contains alkaloids such as mitragynine.
- Kava is grown in the South Pacific. Kratom is grown in Southeast Asia.
- Both are sold as powders, capsules, and shots, so the format is one easy way to choose.
- Kava is sold as a beverage across the United States. Kratom is legal in most states and restricted in a few.
- CBD is a third, separate option. It comes from hemp and is a cannabinoid, not an alkaloid or a kavalactone.
- Some products combine kava and kratom in one shot, with both botanicals listed on the label.
What Is Kava?
Kava is a drink made from the root of the Piper methysticum plant. The plant grows across the South Pacific islands, including Fiji, Vanuatu, and Tonga. People there have prepared the root as a social drink for hundreds of years. The root is ground and mixed with water to make the drink, and it is served in kava bars. It is also sold as powder, instant mixes, shots, and capsules.
The active compounds in kava are called kavalactones. Different kinds of kava have different kavalactone levels, and many products list a kavalactone percentage on the label. Kava is sold as a beverage product for adults.
What Is Kratom?
Kratom is made from the leaves of the Mitragyna speciosa tree. The tree grows in Southeast Asia, including Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia. The leaves are dried and ground into a powder. That powder is then sold as loose powder, capsules, tablets, extracts, shots, and gummies.
Kratom leaves contain alkaloids. The main alkaloid is mitragynine. A second alkaloid, 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), is present in much smaller amounts in the natural leaf. Most kratom powders, capsules, and teas sold at HITT are traditional leaf-based products, not concentrated or boosted 7-OH products. Kratom is sold for adults, and its legal status is different from state to state.
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Kava vs Kratom: The Main Differences
Kava and kratom are often mentioned together because both are plant botanicals sold in similar formats. The table below summarizes how they differ.
| Attribute | Kava | Kratom |
|---|---|---|
| Plant | Piper methysticum | Mitragyna speciosa |
| Part used | Root | Leaf |
| Active compounds | Kavalactones | Alkaloids (mitragynine, 7-hydroxymitragynine) |
| Origin | South Pacific islands | Southeast Asia |
| Common formats | Powder, drink, shot, capsule | Powder, capsule, tablet, extract, shot, gummy |
| Taste | Earthy, bitter | Earthy, bitter |
| US legal status | Sold as a beverage nationwide | Legal in most states, restricted in a few |
Here is what those differences mean in practice:
- Plant source: Kava is a root. Kratom is a leaf.
- Active compounds: Kava contains kavalactones. Kratom contains alkaloids such as mitragynine.
- Origin: Kava comes from the South Pacific. Kratom comes from Southeast Asia.
- Preparation: Kava is usually made into a drink from the root. Kratom powder is measured and taken in several formats.
- Legal status: Kava is sold as a beverage across the United States. Kratom is legal in most states and restricted in a few.
Because the two plants contain different compounds, they are labeled and regulated differently. They are separate products, and one is not a stand-in for the other.
Kava vs Kratom vs CBD
CBD is sometimes compared with kava and kratom because all three come from plants. CBD comes from hemp (Cannabis sativa) and is a cannabinoid, which makes it different from both kava and kratom. Kava contains kavalactones, kratom contains alkaloids, and CBD is a cannabinoid. The three come from three different plants in three different plant families.
Formats: How Kava and Kratom Are Sold
Both plants are sold in formats that overlap, which is one easy way to choose between them.
| Format | Kava | Kratom |
|---|---|---|
| Powder | Yes | Yes |
| Capsules | Yes | Yes |
| Liquid shots | Yes | Yes |
| Extract or concentrate | Limited | Yes |
| Gummies | Limited | Yes |
| Ready-to-drink | Yes | Limited |
Kava is best known for the traditional drink, shots, and ready-to-drink formats. Kratom is sold in the widest range of formats, including powder, capsules, tablets, extracts, and shots.
Can You Buy Kava and Kratom Together?
Yes. Some products combine kava and kratom in a single shot, and both botanicals are listed on the label. These are sold as kava and kratom shots. If you want a combined product, check the label for the amount of each botanical.
Which Should You Buy?
The choice between kava and kratom comes down to the plant, the format, and the way you want to use it.
- Choose kava if you want a root-based botanical that is sold mainly as a drink, a shot, or a ready-to-drink beverage.
- Choose kratom if you want a leaf-based botanical with the widest set of formats, including powder, capsules, tablets, extracts, and shots.
You can shop both at HITT. Compare products and labels side by side, and check each product’s format and contents so you can match the plant and format to what you want.
Kava vs Kratom FAQs
What is kava and kratom?
Kava is a drink made from the root of the Piper methysticum plant, and kratom is a product made from the leaves of the Mitragyna speciosa tree. Kava contains kavalactones, and kratom contains alkaloids such as mitragynine. They are different plants sold in similar formats.
Is kava the same as kratom?
No. Kava and kratom come from different plants and contain different active compounds. Kava is a root that contains kavalactones. Kratom is a leaf that contains alkaloids such as mitragynine.
What is the difference between kava and kratom?
The main difference is the plant and its compounds. Kava is the root of Piper methysticum and contains kavalactones. Kratom is the leaf of Mitragyna speciosa and contains alkaloids such as mitragynine. They also differ in origin and in their most common formats.
Are kava and kratom the same thing?
No. They are two separate botanicals from two different plant species. They are labeled and regulated differently, so they are not the same product.
Is kava similar to kratom?
They are alike in that both are plant botanicals sold as powder, capsules, and shots. They are different in plant source, active compounds, and origin, so they are not interchangeable.
Can you mix kava and kratom?
Some products are sold as combined kava and kratom shots that list both botanicals on the label. If you want a combined product, check the label for the amount of each botanical before you buy.
Does kava contain kratom?
No. Kava is made only from the Piper methysticum root. A product contains kratom only when the Mitragyna speciosa leaf is listed on the label.