Kratom vs Kava: What’s the Difference?

Kratom and kava are two unrelated botanicals from opposite sides of the world that often get mentioned together. Kratom comes from the leaves of Mitragyna speciosa, a Southeast Asian tree in the coffee family. Kava comes from the root of Piper methysticum, a South Pacific plant in the pepper family. They are different plants, with different active compounds, different traditional preparations, and different legal status in the United States. Here’s how they compare.

Kratom vs kava at a glance

What is kratom?

Kratom is made from the leaves of Mitragyna speciosa, an evergreen tree native to Southeast Asia and part of the same botanical family as coffee. The leaves naturally contain a group of alkaloids, the most abundant being mitragynine. Kratom is commonly sorted by vein color — red, green, white, and yellow, referring to the leaf vein at harvest and how the leaf is processed — and by strain names tied to regions, such as Maeng Da, Bali, and Malay. In the U.S. it’s sold most often as finely milled powder, capsules, and extracts. See our state-by-state kratom legality guide.

What is kava?

Kava comes from the root of Piper methysticum, a pepper-family plant cultivated across the South Pacific for centuries. Its characteristic compounds are called kavalactones. Traditionally the root is ground and strained with water to make a beverage served in communal settings. Growers distinguish “noble” kava cultivars — those traditionally selected for daily preparation — from other types. In the U.S., kava is sold as root powder, instant mixes, shots, and seltzers.

Kratom vs kava: the key differences

The simplest way to keep them straight: kratom is a leaf from a Southeast Asian tree in the coffee family; kava is a root from a South Pacific plant in the pepper family. They are not botanically related and contain entirely different characteristic compounds — alkaloids such as mitragynine in kratom, kavalactones in kava. They come from different traditions of preparation and carry different legal status in the U.S.

How are kratom and kava consumed?

Kratom powder is typically measured and mixed into liquid or taken in pre-filled capsules; extracts are concentrated forms of the leaf. Kava root is traditionally prepared as a strained water beverage, and modern instant mixes, shots, and seltzers are made to simplify that. Both are intended for adults 21 and older.

Are kratom and kava legal?

Kava is legal to sell in the U.S. as a dietary supplement. Kratom’s natural leaf is not federally scheduled, but it is banned in several states and regulated in others. Before ordering kratom, check your rules in our regularly updated kratom legality by state guide. Bedrock Botanicals ships only where these botanicals are legal, to adults 21+.

Can you buy both at Bedrock Botanicals?

Yes. Bedrock Botanicals carries lab-tested kratom (powder, capsules, extracts) and kava (including shots and seltzers) from our own and partner brands, all third-party lab tested. Browse the full selection →

Frequently asked questions

Are kratom and kava the same thing?
No. They are unrelated plants — kratom is a leaf (Mitragyna speciosa, coffee family, Southeast Asia); kava is a root (Piper methysticum, pepper family, South Pacific).

Is kava related to kratom?
No. They are in different botanical families with different characteristic compounds — kavalactones in kava, alkaloids such as mitragynine in kratom.

Which is legal where I live?
Kava is federally legal as a supplement. Kratom legality varies by state — check our legality guide before ordering.

What forms do they come in?
Kratom: powder, capsules, extracts. Kava: powder, instant mixes, shots, seltzers.

Published by Bedrock Botanicals.

Must be 21 or older to purchase. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Kratom is not legal in all states — verify your local law before ordering.