Organic Alkaloids Green Crushed MD (Crushed Leaf)

[heme2016]

Bought this in May, I think. No lot number on the package, and I don't have the invoice anymore, and OA is currently out of CL stock, so keep in mind this review may not be applicable to the next batch they get in (I stress this for reasons that will become apparent.) Also, I make "quick and dirty" tea, steeping with just-boiled water in a thermos bottle for 30 minutes, than filtering through a paper coffee filter. Perhaps a more elaborate tea making process would give different results.

Ordering/Shipping/Packaging
No issues. Ordering handled smoothly and professionally, packaging in the paper zip-lock bags many vendors use for crushed leaf. The front of the bag is printed with Organic Alkaloids logo and "Green Crush"; the back of the bag is simply marked "MD."

Tea-making Factors
The leaf is cut just right for my method of tea making - fine enough for efficient extraction (were there anything to extract), coarse enough to easily filter.

Kratom Effects
There weren't any. As near as I can tell, this product is completely inert. My first try, I used 4 grams of crushed leaf, steeping for 30 minutes. No pain relief, no mood boost, no nothing. So I tried again a few days later, using *8* grams and steeping for about an hour. Still nothing useful - perhaps a touch of nausea and a bit of fatigue, that's it.

Taste/Odor
Oddly, this was great. I actually like the smell of this stuff, a bit fruity & pleasantly aromatic. Reminds me of the odor of a good pipe tobacco, fresh from the pouch. The tea had very little taste and hardly any bitterness. Too bad it doesn't do anything - if this stuff worked at even an average level, I'd buy it just for the odor/flavor.

[BallzDeep9]

Thanks for this review. Someone asked recently, "Who has Crushed Leaf?" I said Organic Alkaloids, was maybe the only vendor I know had 2+ choices In Stock. That was like 1 month ago, now their website has changed & CL is gone...

I have Extract from O-A and it was decent. This vendor O-A was also popular on Discord, & had posted frequently on Discord. So... who knows? DID you contact the vendor ? Ask about the CL, ask about a refund, questions...

Perhaps a more elaborate tea making process would give different results.

I'd think so .. IME crushed leaf needs to be gently boiled, for at least 1 hour, with citric acid to extract alks... Just steeping in a bottle, seems like a weak method ? Most likely would produce weak tea? JMHO

[brave777]

steeping is wrong on many level, best results with crushed leaf, get a pot and boil the water with no kratom in it, as soon it reach boiling, put it on low, wait 3 min till it starts to trow bubbles only, simmer like effect, then trow your crushed leaf in what ever you wish. best result to do on low least 15 min, lemon or other acids is optional. i done plain leaf and it turned out well, i just added honey after to my tea.

[heme2016]

So... who knows? DID you contact the vendor ? Ask about the CL, ask about a refund, questions...

No, asking for a refund for one 250 g bag of kratom seems more trouble than it's worth. It's just not that big a deal, and I imagine every vendor gets some bad leaf now and then.

[heme2016]

steeping is wrong on many leve

I've done the prolonged boiling method a few times, and compared it to my quick and dirty steeping. With crushed Green Bali from Wot or crushed Green from RVA, I get comparable results by my quick and dirty method by increasing the amount of kratom by 50%. So I use 4.5 grams of kratom for a dose instead of 3. The trade off in time saved is worth the slight waste of kratom to me.

[Oliverclothesoff]

@Heme...i've done that CL "quick and dirty" plenty of times with decent results. I try to shake the container a few times while steeping though. Seems to make my tea a bit more potent and bronze in color. Either way, i've never had zero effects from making tea. Are you coming off a tolerance break or anything? I know i've had times where my burn was really weak for a day or two directly following a TB.

[brave777]

when you guys steep, do you add any lemons or acidic stuff beside just more leaf? How long do you leave in steep mode, like do you cover with lid so hot air wont escape for few minutes? Do you stir it very well? I might have to revisit and try this method again. To me it was a waste since barley anything was felt, unless you wants extremely mild effects? I noticed it is more work but very potent with a stand out when using the boiling method. I assume its ok to steep if got lots leaf laying around. I do think tolerance also plays a big role when doing steeping, maybe that's why i barley felt or almost nothing. Pressure pot for 10 min does way better results and not much mess with CL.

[Oliverclothesoff]

Don't get me wrong, Boiling 20-30 min is absolutely my preferred prep. But depending on the situation(like overnight hiking, hotel etc) i'll do a steep. I do try to make sure to keep the steeping container covered and shake or stir a few times. It works!

Thanks for reminding me about the pressure pot! Picked one up at a garage sale cpl weeks back and forgot about it. Guess i know what i'll be doing this weekend

[BallzDeep9]

To me it was a waste since barely anything was felt, unless you wants extremely mild effects? I noticed it is more work but very potent with a stand out when using the boiling method.

I like the method you described, a hard simmer for at least 1 hour.. My objective when making tea, is to extract the most alkaloids, maximum potency! Yes, tea making takes time, and I don't think you can avoid that.. steeping won't get the job done. I want to yield at least 1 quart or more, of strong cold tea in the fridge.. yes it takes a couple hours of prep and boiling.. but the result is many servings, to last a week or more.

I actually use CL in a double boiler for 1 hour, with citric acid.. strain & put that aside, then combine with some powder in a boiling pan for 1 more hour. Reduce out some of the water. Strain well. Final step is to neutralize acid & then store in Mason jars in the fridge.. I drink my kratom ice tea daily!

[heme2016]

An update on what I mean by "steeping" - I use a true vacuum-insulated thermos bottle, not just an insulated cup. If you add boiling water to this, it will stay within a few degrees of boiling temperature for an hour or more. It seals tightly, with a gasketed lid, and I shake it vigorously every few minutes during the steep. I do add lemon juice, as well.