Everything you need to know about Kratom

Kratom has been in existence for a long time but has only just recently been in the spotlight ofWestern medical and scientific research. The tree originates from Southern Asia and is classifiedunder the Rubiaceae family. In the wild, the tree grows up to thirty feet tall and fifteen feet wide andits leaves also grow tall up to seven inches long and four inches wide. The tree was first documentedby a colonial botanist from Netherlands called Pieter Korthals. Pieter described the plant as areminder of a Bishop�s mitre and therefore he named it mitragyna. He also mentioned that theplant was used in Malaysia as a substitute for opium. It was also used in Thailand as a remedy tocure different mental and physical diseases. The Government of Thailand tried to ban the use ofKratom tree but it was not successful because the plant is indigenous to Thailand and therefore itcould not be banned, it is part of their heritage. There was little research done in the past about thisplant but many scientists have now embarked on researching about the plant in the last decade.

History of Kratom

The Kratom tree is said to have its origin in Thailand and Malaysia and is a very important part ofthe heritage of the people in those countries. This tree is abundant in these countries and they arepopularly known as �Ketum� or �Thom�. The tree has leaves that are oval in shape anddark green in color as well as yellow flowers that are clustered. The natives of both countries haveused this tree for medicinal purposes for centuries. The tree has alkaloids content which warrantsfurther research and studies about the Kratom tree. Apart from being used for medicinal purposes,some natives used the plant as sexual enhancers to improve their sexual activities. There was nomuch information about this plant in the early centuries but with increased interest in the plant byscientists, botanists and researchers, there have been many studies carried out on the compositionof the plant, its uses and effects. The popular name of the tree is Kratom but it has a scientific nameas well as other names. Its scientific name is Mitragyna Speciosa and this name was given by PieterKorthals. Other names that it is known by include Kakuam, Ketum, Ithang and Thom in differentparts of Asia.

Scientific studies of Kratom

There is so much attention that the Kratom plant has been getting in the 21st century. So manycompanies and scientific grounds are carrying out research studies on the plant, its composition,properties and effects. The plant is interesting and scientists believe that there is still so muchresearch that need to be carried out on the plant. Many studies are currently taking place in Japan,United States and Asia. The full effects of the plant have not yet been revealed because there hasbeen little research carried out in that area. Recent studies do not show the full effects but onlyshow that Kratom has alkaloids although how the alkaloids work or affect behavior is not yet known.Research is also being done to determine uses of Kratom and extents of its usage by human beings.

Regulation and legalities

The effects of drug on human beings is not yet fullydiscovered and it is also reported to have someeffect on behavior of people and for these reasons itis illegal in some countries such as Malaysia,Thailand and United States of America. Possession of the plant in Thailand is illegal and has been forover fifty years. Planting of the tree is illegal in Thailand and those that exist are required to be cutdown. However, the tree is part of the heritage of Thailand and therefore the law did not last sincethe people of Thailand support the existence of the tree despite Government efforts to burn down allbali kratom trees. Due to the continued support of the plant by Thai natives, the Narcotics ControlBoard of Thailand proposed that the tree be decriminalized because it is an integral part of the Thaiculture. The tree is also prohibited in Malaysia and in the United States of America the plant is notregulated by American Federal Government. There has been advocacy efforts that criminalizing theuse of the plant is unfounded and should be stopped.