Kratom powder is a derivative of the completely natural and organic kratom plant, grown primarily in Thailand and other parts of Asia. It has been used by the Asian population for centuries to treat a variety of ailments including pain, anxiety, depression, and chronic pain. But recently, it has found a new use-as an alternative treatment for heroin and other opiate addictions.
Most people take kratom in a pill, tablet, or extract form. Some individuals even brew kratom tea or consume the dry or powdered herbal leaves in food. Occasionally the leaf is smoked, or ingested as food. Kratom is sometimes recommended for elderly, pregnant women, and children but the new dietary ingredient is receiving a lot of attention from medical professionals, in addition to consumers, who have noticed that kratom seems to work better than other opiate alternatives.
Although it is not chemically addictive like other opiates, taking kratom may increase the risk for addiction if the user does not use it correctly. Like most herbs, the kratom addiction is more psychological than physical. In fact, the only real way to become addicted to kratom is through consuming it on a regular basis. Many users do not experience any side effects, which makes this a very attractive “new dietary ingredient”.
Unlike prescription drugs, which treat the physical dependence, the use of kratom does not produce any withdrawal symptoms when stopped. Kratom is an opiate mimetic and works similarly to opiates, such as morphine or heroin. Although kratom leaves are the raw material, they are much less addictive than the raw opium. As with most other forms of herbal medicine, the dried powdered leaves can be converted into a concentrated liquid, called kratom. This liquid can be snorted, injected, or absorbed through the skin. Although the liquid may be more effective, it has been found to have less effect than the plant itself.
The most potent kratom is called “clove” and has a very similar smell to tea leaves. It has a pungent, warm smell, resembling the scent of hot peppers. Clove also has the highest concentration of alkaloids among all the Thai herbals. This means that the clove’s active ingredient is Thai stem-keratin, which is also responsible for the plant’s popularity.
The second highest kratom (clove) is also called Thai Clove. Of all the Thai herbals, this one has the lowest concentration of alkaloids among the three mentioned. Clove has a sweet, subtle smell and is one of the less commonly known grades of kratom. This is also the strongest kratom in the sample given to the FDA, and the notes describing the effects of the drug on the body are comparable to those of kratom (54 j – 12 kratom (herbal and botanical teas ii, continued} One of the more potent kratom strains is Thai Golden Herbals or Gold. This kratom has a fruity smell and tastes like banana. Unlike the other varieties, golden has a pungent taste that some compare to the taste of nail polish. However, others do not find the taste unpleasant at all, instead calling it a sweet, mild taste.
The third highest kratom (clove) is also known as mitragyna speciosa. This kratom has the greatest concentration of alkaloids among all the Thai herbs. Its fruity smell and taste is described as being like the scent of fresh flowers. Mitragyna speciosa also has the highest content of fiber and is therefore one of the most useful forms of kratom available. The notes on the packaging declare that this kratom has powerful healing properties.
The only two kratom strains that are currently legal in the United States are Thai-gold and mitragyna speciosa. You can buy kratom with ease these days. While both have strong positive comments, it is difficult to imagine why anyone would want to import these drugs from Thailand. There are no controlled markets for this substance in the United States, and the Food and Drug Administration has not approved any of these kratom products for human consumption. According to the FDA, there is “no evidence that kratom has treatment or prevention qualities”. This means that while the kratom may have some benefit to a person with arthritis or other ailments, it is not likely to have a place in the modern drugstore.
