Kratom: What is This New Herbal Craze?

Kratom has recently become a popular news topic, but it has actually been in usage for thousands of years. Although some mainstream news sites may try to lump Kratom with controlled substances such as marijuana, the reality is that this natural supplement has many practical purposes. Due to this, it has been a way of life for many Southeast Asian farmers for centuries. The rest of the world has now caught up, and Kratom usage is skyrocketing.

What Exactly is Kratom?

Kratom is a supplement that is derived from the leaves of the Kratom tree. These naturally occurring trees are found in Thailand and throughout Southeast Asia. The leaves are ground into a powder, which is then taken in a capsule or powder format. Historically speaking, Kratom leaves were often chewed by farmers because of their analgesic properties. In other words, people who were working long, hard hours were able to get some pain relief from Kratom.

Today, people turn to Kratom because of its reported ability to offer a variety of benefits, including increased energy and reduced anxiety. Pain relief is also a big component of Kratom’s modern usage. In fact, some medical researchers believe that this substance could one day be used to create a new prescription pain medication that would not come with the risk of respiratory depression. This would allow people to get the help that they need without the fear of suffering from potentially serious side effects.

Choosing a Kratom Strain

Kratom is available in multiple strains, and each of them is believed to offer different benefits. For example, Red Vein Kratom has the highest pain reducing properties, but it only provides a minimal energy boost. On the other hand, White Vein Kratom provides the exact opposite effect. Finally, Green Vein Kratom offers a more middle of the road performance for pain relief and increased energy.

Aside from the vein colors, there are also variations based on the location where the host Kratom trees are growing. Strains that grow in Thailand are generally found to be more stimulating, whereas the strains that come from Borneo, Bali and Indonesia tend to offer a more sedating experience. Ultimately, the type of Kratom that an individual selects should be based upon their particular needs.

For example, user reports indicate that Indonesian Kratom provides a minimal energy boost combined with a high level of pain reduction. This particular strain is also believed to be a mood enhancer. Therefore, if you are dealing with anxiety and pain, you may get the best results from Red or Green Vein Indonesian Kratom.

Is Kratom Legal?

Kratom is legal to use in many countries, and it can also be legally obtained and utilized in 46 states. Some areas in the U.S. that had previously banned the usage of Kratom have overturned their laws based on consumer advocacy campaigns. The reality is that Kratom is a naturally occurring substance that can help people battle pain, so it really should not be a surprise that some backward-thinking legislators have tried to regulate it out of existence. After all, when people are free to use items such as Kratom, they are less likely to purchase expensive prescription medications that are created and sold by the pharmaceutical industry.

Can Kratom Get You High?

Many scaremongers have tried to cast aspersions on Kratom by claiming that it gets people high. This might be possible if you were to take an amount that goes way beyond the recommended dosage, but this is not guaranteed, nor is it a wise idea. Instead, the vast majority of people who take Kratom supplements or make Kratom tea use it to either increase their energy level or help themselves relax. There are also some individuals who have added Kratom into their daily routine as a pain reliever for issues such as arthritis and fibromyalgia.

The Kratom craze is not likely to end anytime soon, and each media report actually helps increase its popularity. Regardless of your exact reason for trying this natural supplement, you may be able to improve the daily quality of your life by taking the daily recommended amount. Make sure that you research the various strains before making a selection, and keep in mind that each person’s experience may vary.   

Image by Mattie Hagedornvia Flickr