What is Kratom?
Kratom is the Thai name for the plant known by the scientific name "Mitragyna speciosa". It is a tropical tree from the coffee family that is native to the region covering Thailand and Malaysia. Kratom has been used for various medicinal purposes by the cultures of South-East Asia for hundreds of years. As plant size goes, the Mitragyna speciosa tree is fairly big and can grow to be very large. In their natural habitat, some species of the Kratom tree can grow to heights of up to 21 meters. On average, however, the tree grows to heights of 3 meters. Its leaves are also big compared to many plants, with an average size of six inches long by three inches wide.
Kratom leaves contain a number of compounds. The most notable of these compounds are 7-Hydroxymitragynine and Mitraphylline. These two compounds are alkaloids, a class of organic substances produced by a wide variety of organisms. Alkaloids are produced by microorganisms like fungi as well as plants and animals. The chemical composition of alkaloids is close to that of peptides like serotonin and dopamine. Mitraphylline is an alkaloid that is structurally similar to 7-Hydroxymitragynine. It is also present in cat's claw, a plant native to South and Central America. In Peru, cat's claw has been used as treatment for inflammation, tumor growth and infection. These uses have prompted research into Mitraphylline as a therapy for cancerous growths. Research has shown that mitraphylline is able to inhibit cell growth and proliferation. It is a cytotoxin with the ability to cause cell death and apoptosis. The cytotoxic and anti-proliferative properties of Mitraphylline have been tested by researchers. Research has shown Mitraphylline to be a potential treatment and therapy for a number of cancers.
In Thailand, Kratom leaves are used as an traditional treatment for diarrhea. Kratom is shown to have anti-diarrheal properties. Medical research continues to yield results that show the anti-cancer properties of Mitraphylline, an important constituent of Kratom leaves. It is therefore possible that Kratom leaves may be used to extract Mitraphylline as treatment and therapy to cancers. Medical research shows that mitraphylline also boosts the immune system, a fact known by ancient Peruvian cultures. Other immunostimulants found in Kratom are Isomitraphylline and isopteropodine. Kratom-medical research on the benefits of the plant as pertains to the immune system is in its early stage. However, since the effects of the alkaloids in remedies that have been in use for hundreds of years, there is great untapped potential in Kratom-medical research.
With some care, it is possible to cultivate the Kratom tree. The tree is best suited to the tropical climate of South East Asia, so it thrives in a warm, humid environment. It does poorly in cold weather and is killed off by frost. In warm, temperate climates, the tree can be grown outside. Kratom can also be grown indoors as a houseplant. However, because it is a tree, it has to be pruned and cut down to houseplant size to prevent it from reaching its natural size of between three to twenty meters.
The information we provide here is strictly for informational and educational purposes, and has not been evaluated or approved by the FDA. We have gathered this information from medical studies and botanical research in an attempt to educate those looking to conduct research with this plant. It is important to note that Kratom (Mitragyna Speciosa) is sold strictly for botanical research and is not to be consumed in any way.
