Have you heard of the plant kratom? If not, don’t worry–you’re not alone. Kratom is a lesser-known herbal remedy that has been used for centuries by people living in Southeast Asia. Recently, though, it’s begun to gain more attention as an alternative form of medicine and recreational substance here in the West.
In this blog post, we’ll look at how kratom came to be so widely used around the world and its potential applications and side effects.
Kratom is a tropical evergreen tree native to countries like Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Papua New Guinea. It belongs to the same family of plants as coffee and is traditionally consumed in its raw leaf form for its stimulant effects. However, over the past few years, it has become increasingly popular in extracts, powders, and capsules for both medicinal and recreational purposes.
Ingredients in Kratom:
The main active ingredients found in kratom are mitragynine and 7-hydroxy mitragynine (7-HMG), both of which have powerful analgesic qualities. Additionally, studies suggest that these compounds can have anti-inflammatory properties, making them useful for treating illnesses such as chronic pain or arthritis. Kratom is also known to be VERY beneficial for helping to alleviate stress, anxiety, and depression.
If you decide to give it a try be sure to research any potential side effects beforehand as kratom is not approved by the TGA for use as either a medicine or recreational drug. As with any new substance, it is always best to do some research first and read about other people’s experiences using this plant.