Kratom leaves

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Other names: Tom, E-Thang

Scientific name: Mitragyna speciosa Korth. in the Rubiaceae family.

Botanical Characteristics: Kratom is a medium-sized tree with a hardwood core, 10-15 meters tall, in the Mitragyna speciosa family. The leaves are similar to Ylang Ylang leaves, with red and green petioles. The flowers are round and the size of jujubes. The leaves are single, green, arranged in opposite pairs. The leaf blade is about 5-10 cm wide and 8-14 cm long. The flowers are yellowish white and grow in round clusters of 3-5 cm.

Habitat: In some provinces of the central region, such as Pathum Thani, but found mostly in natural forests in the southern region, such as Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Trang, Satun, Phatthalung, Songkhla, Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat, and the northern part of Malaysia.

The addictive substance found in kratom leaves is mitragynine, an alkaloid that acts as a central nervous system depressant (CNS depressant) similar to other addictive substances such as psilocybin, LSD, and methamphetamine.

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What diseases can kratom leaves treat?

Medicinal properties: In ancient times, kratom was a plant used as a medicinal ingredient in recipes for diarrhea in traditional or old-fashioned medicine recipes, such as the Kratom Prasa recipe. However, it is no longer necessary to use this much medicine because there are modern and old-fashioned medicines that give equal or better results. Moreover, even though kratom leaves have medicinal benefits, they are addictive and have negative effects on health if used continuously for a long time.

How to consume: Chew fresh leaves or grind dry leaves into powder and dissolve in water. Some people add a little salt to prevent constipation. Most people chew only 2-3 leaves and drink warm water or hot coffee. Use 3-10 times a day depending on symptoms of fatigue. After using for a while, the amount used will increase (about 37 percent use 21-30 leaves a day).

Effects of use: It was found that after chewing kratom leaves for about 5-10 minutes, there will be a feeling of happiness, alertness, no hunger (no appetite), suppressed feeling of fatigue while working, allowing one to work longer and endure the sun more. However, there will be a feeling of fear of the cold when the weather is cloudy or rainy. The user will have red skin because there is more blood flowing to the skin.  

Side effects: include dry mouth, frequent urination, loss of appetite, constipation, small, hard stools, insomnia. If a large amount of kratom leaves are consumed, it will make you dizzy and nauseous (kratom intoxication). But in some cases, taking just 3 leaves can make you drunk. In cases where a lot of kratom leaves are used or for a long time, there is often a change in pigmentation on the skin, causing the consumer’s skin to become darker and darker. It has also been found that consuming kratom without removing the leaf stalks from the leaves first may cause a condition called “kratom pouches” in the intestines. This is because the kratom stems and leaves cannot be digested and therefore become stuck in the intestines, making it impossible to excrete. Adhesions form around the kratom pulp, forming pouches in the intestines. Some people will experience paranoid psychosis, hallucinate, think that people are going to hurt them, and speak incoherently.

Symptoms when stopping use

  • No energy
  • Muscle and bone pain
  • Twitches in the arms and legs
  • Fatigue, unable to work
  • Depressed mood
  • Tears flowing, runny nose
  • Aggression
  • Insomnia
  • Abnormal body temperature
  • Difficulty in passing loose stools
  • Difficulty in appetite
  • Vomiting, nausea
  • Increased coughing
  • Increased restlessness

Misuse: Currently, kratom has a problem of spreading among teenagers and students, probably because it is cheap and can cause euphoria like other drugs. People often use boiled kratom water mixed with Coke, mosquito repellent, and cough syrup (4×100).

Legal control :

  • In 1943, Thailand was the first country to regulate the use of kratom by enacting the Kratom Act of 1943, which prohibited the cultivation and possession of kratom leaves, as well as the sale and consumption of kratom leaves.
  • Since 1979, kratom has been classified as a Category 5 narcotic plant under the Narcotics Act of 1979.

Reference data from : https://mnfda.fda.moph.go.th