(Food-Beverage-News.Com, March 20, 2014 ) Los Angeles, CA -- Kratom has been stirring discussions globally, most due to its side effects. While several people claim good side effects from it, there are those who assert the negative side effects outweigh its advantages. Its leaves have been used as an herbal drug in Southeast Asia. As drugs, it acts as a stimulant in small doses, but becomes a sedative when taken in higher doses.
Kratom is known by its scientific name as Mitragyna speciosa. It is a tropical tree which belongs to the coffee family (Rubiaceae). The plant is native to Thailand, Malaysia, Myanmar, and other areas of Southeast Asia.
Properties
The plant produces both sedative and stimulant effects. It causes increased alertness and energy, talkativeness, and sociable behavior when taken at low doses. However, it triggers euphoric and sedative effects, and a narcotic (opium-like) effect. Long term use triggers weight loss, anorexia, skin darkening, insomnia, mouth dryness, constipation, and frequent urination. A withdrawal syndrome may happen and show as aggression, hostility, aching muscles and bones, and jerky movements of the limbs. Central nervous system (CNS) effects may consist of psychosis, delusion, hallucinations, and confusion. It has been reported to have morphine-like properties, such as antitussive, anesthetic, analgesic, and antinociceptive.
Uses
Thai and Malaysian natives customarily chew, smoke, drink kratom as tea, mainly for its stimulant and euphoric effect. In Perak, Malaysia, the leaves are crushed and applied to wounds. A poultice of kratom leaves are also applied to upper abdomen as an aid to expel worms in children. It has also been reported as a stimulant to fight fatigue and boost physical endurance in Thailand and Malaysia. Moreoever, the leaves are also used for medicinal purposes, such as treatment for coughs, fever, diarrhea, malaria, intestinal infections by amoeba and protozoa, and also used as a tonic.
Kratom’s leaves, when used as a drug, are swallowed in a cup of cold water or drunk as a hot tea. It is often used to addicts off morphine. It is controlled in Thailand, Myanmar, and Malaysia. Kratom and mytragynine were labeled as most restricted schedule 9. The United Kingdom dubbed it as a “herbal speedball,” mostly due to its euphoric and energizing properties.
Legal status
While it is in illegal in Australia, Myanmar, Malaysia, and Thailand, it is legal in other countries. In the United States, “it is illegal in Ohio to take it and sell it as a drug,” according to Jonathan Fulkerson, deputy chief counsel for Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine. It is widely available online and in some shops in the area. He pointed out that it is not permitted to be used for any medical purpose in the U.S.
About Kratora Quality Ethnobotanicals:
Kratora Quality Ethnobotanicals is a leading source for organic specialty Kratom powders. These powders are ethically sourced from Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia and are known for its therapeutic properties. The site sells Maeng Da strain among many others. Buyers should be at least 18 years old to purchase any products. All products on the site are sold not for human consumption, and are for incense or ethnobotanical research purposes only.
