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Kratom Benefits

  • Writer: Dave
    Dave
  • Jul 17
  • 3 min read

Updated: Jul 17




Botanical Name

Mitragyna speciosa


Family

Rubiaceae (Coffee family)

Common Names

Kratom, Ketum, Biak-biak, Ithang, Thom

Parts Used

Leaves

Native To

Southeast Asia – particularly Thailand, Indonesia (notably Borneo and Sumatra), Malaysia, and Papua New Guinea

Harvesting Guidelines

Kratom leaves are harvested when mature, and potency varies depending on the age of the leaf and vein color. After harvesting, leaves are typically sun-dried or fermented. Red, green, and white vein kratom are processed differently to preserve their unique alkaloid profiles. Sustainable sourcing is essential due to rising global demand and ecological concerns.

Introduction - kratom Benefits

Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is a tropical tree native to Southeast Asia, traditionally used for its stimulant, pain-relieving, and mood-enhancing properties. It has been an integral part of traditional herbal practices in Thailand and Indonesia, often used by laborers to fight fatigue or by healers for its analgesic and calming effects.

The leaves contain alkaloids such as mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, which interact with opioid receptors and other neurological pathways. The effects of kratom vary based on dosage and vein type—white, green, or red.


Vein Types and Their Effects

White Vein Kratom

  • Effects: Stimulating, energizing, mood-boosting

  • Best for: Focus, productivity, mild euphoria

  • Typical Use: Morning or early day use; often used as a coffee alternative

  • Energetics: Warming, slightly bitter

Green Vein Kratom

  • Effects: Balanced—mild stimulation with pain relief and mood support

  • Best for: Mild energy with calm clarity, social ease, and emotional balance

  • Typical Use: Anytime during the day

  • Energetics: Neutral, mildly bitter

Red Vein Kratom

  • Effects: Sedative, pain-relieving, relaxing

  • Best for: Evening use, pain relief, anxiety, and sleep support

  • Typical Use: Calming the nervous system, easing physical discomfort

  • Energetics: Cooling, bitter, grounding

Shop our Kratom, click on image:

kratom achula

Traditional and Indigenous Use

In rural Southeast Asia, kratom has been used traditionally as:

  • A stimulant for field workers

  • A folk remedy for coughs, diarrhea, infections, and wounds

  • A pain-reliever and sedative in herbal medicine

  • A social beverage, brewed into tea or chewed for focus and endurance

Leaves were often chewed fresh, or brewed into a decoction. The choice of vein color was less emphasized traditionally than in modern herbalism.


Modern Uses

Kratom is now widely used in the West as a natural alternative for pain relief, mood support, and focus. Depending on the strain:

  • White kratom is used for alertness and motivation

  • Green kratom provides gentle energy with emotional stability

  • Red kratom is favored for relaxation, tension relief, and sleep

It is commonly available in powder, capsule, tea, and extract forms.


Scientific Studies

Studies show that kratom’s active alkaloids—especially mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine—bind to mu-opioid receptors, contributing to its pain-relieving and sedative properties, though with a different pharmacological profile than traditional opioids.

Research also suggests possible effects on serotonin and dopamine pathways, aligning with user reports of mood enhancement.

Ongoing studies are evaluating kratom’s potential benefits and risks, especially related to dependence and long-term use.

Adult Dosage Guidelines (approximate, varies by individual and product)

  • White Vein: 1–3 grams for stimulation; 3–5 grams for moderate effects

  • Green Vein: 2–4 grams for balanced effects

  • Red Vein: 2–5 grams for relaxation and pain support

Start low and adjust. Effects vary based on body weight, tolerance, and quality.

Safety and Contraindications

  • Avoid combining kratom with alcohol, sedatives, opioids, or other psychoactives

  • May cause dependence or withdrawal with prolonged high-dose use

  • Not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding

  • Can cause nausea, constipation, dizziness, or sleep disturbances

  • Consult a healthcare provider before use, especially if you have liver, kidney, or mental health conditions

Note: Kratom is restricted or regulated in some countries. Always check local laws.

Actions

  • Analgesic

  • Stimulant or Sedative (strain-dependent)

  • Anxiolytic

  • Mood Enhancer

  • Nervine

  • Adaptogenic-like properties


Energetics: Varies by strain — Warming (white), Neutral (green), Cooling (red)


References

  • Kruegel, A.C., & Grundmann, O. (2018). The medicinal chemistry and neuropharmacology of kratom: A preliminary discussion of a promising plant. Frontiers in Pharmacology.

  • Prozialeck, W.C. et al. (2019). Pharmacology of kratom: An emerging botanical agent with stimulant, analgesic, and opioid-like effects. Journal of the American Osteopathic Association.

  • van Wyk, B.E. & Wink, M. (2004). Medicinal Plants of the World. Briza Publications.


kratom benefits


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