Have you recently encountered kratom online, at a smoke shop, gas station, or your favorite vitamin store? Maybe you took a few minutes to look at the herbal powder or capsules and wondered about it. Well, kratom is the new kid on the block in the world of herbal supplements but it’s been around for centuries. In this kratom review, we will look at the herbal compound to discover what all the hype is about.
Table of Contents
What is Kratom and Where Does it Come From?
Known as the Mitragyna speciosa tree (kratom), the evergreen grows naturally throughout the tropics of SE Asia. It flourishes in warm humidity.
A member of the coffee family and closely related to the gardenia, the tree is found in Indonesia, Thailand, Myanmar, Vietnam, and Papua New Guinea.
The Mitragyna Speciosa is largely dependent on the region where it grows.
Environmental conditions dictate the alkaloid content found in the tree’s foliage. The stimulants
Alkaloids of Kratom
Mitragyna Speciosa, better known as just ‘kratom’ is a tropical and evergreen plant that belongs to the coffee family.
It grows naturally in the humid environment of Southeast Asia.
Countries like Myanmar, Thailand, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea happen to be the biggest growers of this herb Mitragynine and narcotic 7-hydroxymitraginine provide a stimulant and euphoric effect on the user of the kratom.
Kratom Review: Country of Origin
When shopping for kratom, you’ll notice that the products are divided into categories, country of origin, and vein color.
The division is due to the tree’s peculiarities about cultivation location.
Kratom grown in Indonesia is known to be exceptionally strong because of the mineral-rich volcanic soil which increases the alkaloid levels so Indo kratom is considered a top-shelf product.
The hillsides of Vietnam by the Mekong River are also known as a fertile area with abundant minerals and the kratom harvested from the location is always considered premium.
Vein Colors – A Kratom Review
Harvesters pick the leaves depending on the vein color.
As the tree’s leaves go through various cycles, they produce differing being color that includes white, red, and green. In Vietnam strains, you will also encounter gold/yellow.
The vein shades reveal the alkaloid levels within the foliage during the growth cycle.
Many environmental factors such as sun exposure, rainfall, and drought can all impact the vein color of the foliage.
However, in general, if you buy a red vein strain then you can expect a certain physical response when using the herb.
Kratom is always named by the country of origin and the vein color at the time of harvest.
The only exception to this rule is a single strain known as Maeng Da which is a standalone kratom strain that is exceptionally potent and is cultivated commercially in several countries.
History of Kratom
Locals often chew the foliage – Kratom Review
For centuries, the leaves of the Mitragyna specosa have been chewed, brewed into a tea, ground into powder, and smoked.
Asian laborers regularly turned to the plant to combat weariness and increase their laborious productivity.
The herb boasts other monikers like kakuam, ithang, thom/tom, ketum, or biak-biak.
It is a part of the local culture throughout much of SE Asia and considered an herbal remedy for a variety of physical ailments.
In addition, the locals drink the tea in a social fashion or at the end of a long day. Also, it is extensively used in festivals for its euphoric effects.
Botanists Mohammed Haniff and I.H. Burkill reported about kratom in the Cambridge Journal of Asiatic Society where they promoted it is used to helping opioid users kick the narcotic habit.
The name ‘Mitragyna’ was bestowed on the tree because the foliage and the stigma of the tree’s flowers are shaped like a bishop’s miter, according to the Dutch botanist Korthals.
The Legalities of Kratom
The Tree’s Leaves – Kratom Review
Kratom is legal in the United States and parts of Europe. It is legal for external use in Canada.
- Indonesia: The herbal supplement remains legal throughout Indonesia. The country serves as a major exporter and the herb remains one of the driving forces in Indonesia’s economy.
- Malaysia: Malaysia allowed kratom to remain legal until 2003 but then placed the plant on the Poison Act.
- Vietnam: In Vietnam, the herbal supplement is illegal which threatens the livelihood of many local farmers who continue to cultivate the tree for export.
- Thailand: Mitragyna speciosa was outlawed in 1943 and, eventually, placed on the Thai Narcotics Act but has the least dangerous classification.
In 2016, the United States Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) pushed to have kratom listed as an illegal substance but the backlash was extreme. Those who favored the herb and even medical professionals stood up in its defense which caused the DEA to back down.
Understanding the Chemical Alkaloids of the Plant – Kratom Review
The veins are removed and the leaves ground – Kratom Review
The Mitragyna speciosa is an organic plant with an extraordinarily complex chemical composition. Small factors, such as the environment can impact how the herb’s chemical percentages dramatically.
The alkaloids found in the tree’s foliage are Mitragynine, paynanthine, speciociliatine, and the more minor 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-HMG). Typically, most people believe that mitragynine is the leading active alkaloid but a researcher by the name of Dr. Zurina Hassan recently suggested that 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-HMG) is also a major chemical player.
When ingested, the herb acts as an agonist of the body’s opioid receptors.
Its very ability to influence the receptors is more than likely why it works well at combatting many of the withdrawal symptoms of opiates and why many opt to use it as a replacement to cope with pain and over physical problems.
The Effects of Kratom
When ingested in low doses, kratom acts as a stimulant but when taken in higher doses it causes a feeling of deep relaxation and sleepiness.
Users turn to the herbal supplement for a variety of reasons such as:
- Pain reliever
- Cope with depression
- Ease anxiety
- As a pick-me-up
- Boost cognitive abilities.
- Gain a restful night’s sleep.
- Overcome opioid withdrawals.
- Libido booster
Ingestion Options – Kratom Review
Most users enjoy the ‘toss and wash’ method of using kratom powder which involves taking a mouthful of the dry powder and washing it down with a glass of water.
However, if you simply cannot tolerate the dry powder within your mouth then you can always take capsules that are easy to swallow and an accurate way to get the correct dosage.
Extracts are also becoming a popular option to take a strong dose of the herb. You can also brew a cup of tea or add it to your morning coffee to kickstart your day.
Kratom Review: Is it Addictive?
Most liken kratom use to that of coffee. Many people are addicted to the caffeine found in coffee, tea, and soda but the addiction is not the same as that experienced by a pharmaceutical narcotic.
Some users develop a slight physical dependence and may experience the following symptoms when they stop using the herb after long term use:
- Insomnia
- Muscle aches
- Irritability
- Runny nose
- Emotional changes
Dosage Instructions – Kratom Review
If you are new to kratom then you should start with a low dose that ranges from only one to five grams.
If you have been using the herb frequently and noticed that you are not obtaining the same results then you can change strains or increase the dose from five to 15 grams.
However, remember that in high doses the plant can make you feel sleepy and more relaxed. If you are taking other pharmaceutical medications then you should talk with your doctor prior to using kratom.
At My Kratom Club, we sell a wide array of kratom brands and types.
If you have any questions about this kratom review, please contact us to learn more.
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