Kratom guide

How to Take Kratom: Powder, Tea and Capsules

Wondering how to take kratom without the guesswork? Most people use one of four methods: swallowing capsules, the “toss and wash,” stirring powder into a drink or food, or brewing a simple tea. This guide walks through each one step by step, plus how to measure, how to store your leaf and a couple of methods we skip. Everything here applies to natural leaf kratom capsules and powder, which is all KratZilla sells.

By Andrew KleinUpdated October 13, 202621+ only

Before you start, check that kratom is allowed where you live. As of October 13, 2026, its legal status varies by state, county and city, so see our kratom laws by state guide before ordering.

How to take kratom: green leaf powder in a bowl, vegetable capsules and a cup of tea on a wooden table

Please read: This article is for general information only and is not medical or legal advice. Kratom is not approved by the FDA for any use. Talk to a qualified healthcare provider before using any botanical product, especially if you take medication.

4

common ways to take kratom

0.6 g

leaf powder per capsule (600 mg)

21+

to purchase

Natural leaf

powder and capsules only

The short version

Quick answer

The simplest way to take kratom is in capsules: no taste, no measuring, and each KratZilla capsule holds 0.6 g (600 mg) of leaf powder. If you prefer powder, you can toss and wash it with water, stir it into a thick drink like a smoothie, or steep it into tea. Whichever method you pick, follow the serving size on the label, start small and do not combine kratom with alcohol or other substances.

Method What you need Prep time Taste How you measure
Capsules Water None None Count capsules (0.6 g each)
Toss and wash Powder, scale, water About 1 minute Strong, earthy Digital scale
Mixed into a drink or food Powder, scale, smoothie, juice, yogurt or applesauce 2 to 5 minutes Mostly covered Digital scale
Tea Powder, scale, kettle, strainer 15 to 20 minutes Earthy, adjustable with honey or lemon Digital scale
Comparison of four ways to take kratom: capsules, toss and wash, mixed into a drink and tea

Method 1

Capsules: the no-taste option

Capsules are the most popular pick among first-time customers, and it is easy to see why. There is nothing to measure and nothing to taste. Our Red, Green and White Maeng Da capsules use vegetable capsules filled with 0.6 g (600 mg) of finely ground leaf powder.

How to take kratom capsules:

1

Read the label and decide how many capsules match the serving size printed there. Start at the low end.
2

Swallow them one at a time with a full glass of water.
3

Wait before deciding whether to take more. Do not exceed the label serving.

Here is how capsule counts convert to grams, so you can compare with powder:

Capsules Leaf powder
1 0.6 g
2 1.2 g
3 1.8 g
4 2.4 g
5 3.0 g

Good to know: Capsules cost a little more per gram than powder, and a larger serving means more capsules to swallow. For a full breakdown of price, convenience and grams per capsule, see kratom capsules vs powder.

Method 2

Toss and wash: fast, no frills

Toss and wash is exactly what it sounds like: you put a measured amount of powder in your mouth and wash it down with a drink. No brewing, no blender. It is quick, but the earthy taste is front and center, so it is not everyone’s favorite.

How to toss and wash:

1

Weigh your serving on a digital scale. Do not eyeball it.
2

Take a sip of water or juice first so your mouth is not dry.
3

Tip a small portion of the powder onto your tongue. Splitting it into two or three smaller tosses makes it much easier.
4

Immediately drink enough liquid to wash it all down, then swallow.

Tips from the Zilla crew

  • Fine powder can catch in your throat. Smaller tosses and plenty of liquid help.
  • A splash of orange juice after the water helps clear the earthy aftertaste.
  • If you dislike the texture, try mixing it into a drink instead.

Method 3

Mixing powder into drinks or food

If the taste is a dealbreaker but you still want powder, stir it into something thick and flavorful. Bold flavors cover the earthiness, and thicker textures hide the grit better than water does.

Green kratom powder beside an orange smoothie, a jar of applesauce and a cup of yogurt

What to mix kratom powder with

  • Orange juice, grapefruit juice or lemonade
  • Fruit smoothies or protein shakes
  • Chocolate milk
  • Yogurt or applesauce

How to mix it

1

Weigh your serving on a digital scale.
2

Add the powder to a small amount of your drink or food first, about a few ounces or a few spoonfuls, and stir until there are no clumps.
3

Top up and stir again, or blend if you are making a smoothie.
4

Finish the whole serving so you know exactly how much you took.

Do not mix kratom with alcohol or with other substances. Plain drinks and everyday foods only.

Method 4

Kratom tea recipe, step by step

Brewing tea takes longer than the other methods, but many customers like it as a slow morning or evening routine, and it lets you adjust the flavor with honey, lemon or ginger.

Kratom tea recipe in six steps: measure, heat water, steep, strain, flavor, drink fresh

How to make kratom tea:

Step 1

Measure

Weigh your label serving of powder on a digital scale.

Step 2

Heat the water

Bring 1 to 2 cups of water to a gentle simmer, then turn the heat down so it is hot but not at a rolling boil.

Step 3

Steep

Stir in the powder and let it steep for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring now and then.

Step 4

Strain

Pour the tea through a fine mesh strainer or a paper coffee filter into a mug. Let it drip rather than pressing the sediment.

Step 5

Flavor

Add honey, a squeeze of lemon, fresh mint or a slice of ginger to taste.

Step 6

Drink it fresh

Make only what you plan to have that day and discard any leftovers.

Tip: Tea can be cooled and served over ice if you prefer it cold. Keep it in the fridge and finish it the same day.

Get it right

Measuring tools that make it easier

Accurate measuring is the most important part of taking powder. Kratom is light and fluffy, so a spoonful can weigh quite different amounts depending on the grind and how tightly it is packed.

Digital pocket scale

The most reliable option. Look for one that reads to 0.1 g or finer.

Measuring spoons

Handy for convenience, but weigh a level spoonful of your powder once on a scale so you know what it holds.

Capsules

Pre-measured at 0.6 g each, so no tools needed.

For serving guidance, conversions and why starting small matters, see our kratom serving size guide.

Keep it fresh

Storage basics

Kratom powder and capsules stay in good shape in a cool, dark, dry place.

  • Use an airtight container and close it tightly after each use.
  • Keep it away from heat, sunlight and humidity (not above the stove or in a steamy bathroom).
  • Keep it out of reach of children and pets.
  • If you buy bulk kratom, store a small working supply separately so you are not opening the main bag every day.

For more detail, read how to store kratom.

Skip these

Methods we do not recommend

Smoking or vaping kratom

Kratom leaf is not made to be burned or inhaled, and we do not recommend it.

Extracts, resins and “enhanced” products

You may see concentrated extracts, tinctures, resin or products built around 7-OH (7-hydroxymitragynine). These are a different product category from natural leaf, regulated differently, and federal action on 7-OH has been underway in 2026. KratZilla does not sell them. Learn the difference in natural kratom leaf vs 7-OH.

A few ground rules for any method

  • Follow the label serving size, start small and do not exceed it.
  • Do not combine kratom with alcohol, medications or other substances.
  • Not for use by anyone under 21, or by anyone who is pregnant or nursing.
  • Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how kratom affects you.
  • Talk to a healthcare professional first if you take any medication or have a health condition.
  • Kratom is not risk-free. Read is kratom safe before you start.

Questions

FAQ

For most people, capsules. There is no taste and no measuring, since each KratZilla capsule holds 0.6 g (600 mg) of leaf powder. Swallow them with a full glass of water and follow the serving size on the label.

Each capsule holds 0.6 g (600 mg) of leaf powder. Two capsules equal 1.2 g, three equal 1.8 g and five equal 3.0 g. A 25-count bottle holds 15 g of powder in total.

Thick or strongly flavored drinks and foods work well: orange juice, lemonade, fruit smoothies, protein shakes, chocolate milk, yogurt or applesauce. Never mix kratom with alcohol or other substances.

Stir your measured serving into hot, not boiling, water and steep for 10 to 15 minutes. Strain through a fine mesh strainer or paper coffee filter, then add honey or lemon to taste. Drink it the same day.

We do not recommend it. Kratom leaf is not made to be burned or inhaled. Capsules, toss and wash, mixing into a drink or brewing tea are the common methods.

No. We sell natural Maeng Da leaf powder and capsules only. Concentrated extracts and 7-OH products are a different category. Our 7-OH guide, linked above, explains the difference.

In an airtight container, somewhere cool, dark and dry, and out of reach of children and pets. Avoid heat, sunlight and humidity.

Ready when you are

Shop this strain

Green Maeng Da kratom: our balanced middle ground and a common first pick

Kratom powder: for toss and wash, mixing or tea

21+ only. Check your state and local laws before ordering.

Sources

  1. U.S. Food and Drug Administration, “FDA and Kratom”: fda.gov
  2. National Institute on Drug Abuse, “Kratom”: nida.nih.gov

 

Written by

Andrew Klein

[AUTHOR BIO: Andrew Klein]

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Must be 21 or older to purchase. Kratom is not approved by the FDA for any use. Do not use if pregnant, nursing, or taking medication, and consult a healthcare professional before use. Check your state and local laws before ordering.

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