Kratom leaves or kratom plant (Mitragyna speciosa) is a plant native to Kalimantan which is a major export commodity with the United States as the main consumer. Kratom leaves come from the coffee plant family and produce stimulant and analgesic effects. Kratom leaves stimulate brain receptors like morphine, although they produce a much milder effect. 

However, Kratom leaves are illegal in Thailand, Australia, Malaysia, and several European Union countries. In Kalimantan, farmers rely on kratom leaves for their livelihood. In one day, three farmers can pick 200 kilograms of kratom leaves which will shrink to a tenth when dried. Later, the kratom leaves will become crumbs and resemble dry green tea leaves.

 ngredients of Kratom Leaves

The various benefits of kratom leaves are due to the ingredients. Kratom leaves contain at least 40 types of alkaloid compounds, including: 

Mitragynine

7-hydroxymitragynine 

Speciociliatine 

Corynantheidine

 Speciogynine

 Paynantheine

 Mitraphylline

 

Not only the above alkaloid compounds, kratom leaves also contain antioxidant flavonoids, terpenoids, saponins, polyphenols, and glycosides.

 

Benefits of Kratom Leaves

Due to the ingredients above, Kratom leaves may provide the following benefits:

1. Boost energy

Supplements or concoction made of Kratom leaves has long been used to boost energy and prevent fatigue during activities. 

This benefit is due to the stimulant effect that kratom leaves have. Not only boosting energy, the stimulant effect in Kratom leaves may also improve alertness, concentration levels, and mood.

 

 

 

2. Overcome sleep disorders

Several studies indicate that kratom leaf extract at a dose of 10-25 grams may cause a calming effect and drowsiness. 

Due to these effects, many people use kratom leaves to overcome insomnia. However, until now, kratom leaves have not been proven safe and useful as a treatment for insomnia. Several case reports state that long-term use of kratom leaves may cause insomnia instead. Therefore, you need to consult your doctor first before using Kratom leaves to treat sleep disorders.

 

3. Relieve pain

Kratom is also often consumed as natural pain relief due to the alkaloid content in its leaves, notably mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, which produce anti-pain (analgesic) and anti-inflammatory effects. 

The leaf extract is also applied as an alternative medicine to relieve acute and chronic pain, such as arthritis, back pain, and fibromyalgia.

 

4. Relieve anxiety and depression

Consuming kratom in a certain dosage appears to give sedative effects and work as a sedative or antidepressant. 

The benefit of these leaves may help relieving anxiety and depression. Besides relieving anxiety and depression disorders, these leaves can also treat hallucinations because they have an antipsychotic effect.

 

Indeed, Kratom leaves are rich in benefits.