Have you been hearing about a new product called kratom and have no idea what it is? Wondering why so many people seem to be enthralled by this unique product and all that it is has to offer?
Don’t worry; you’re not the only one! Despite the surge of popularity that kratom has seen in recent years, it is still a relatively unknown substance when you look at the entire population. Many people assume that it is something illegal or dangerous, but they would be wrong in doing so.
Today, we’ll be introducing kratom in more detail so that you can get a clear answer about what it is, what it isn’t, and what you should know about this unique botanical. Let’s get started!
Defining Kratom
The first thing that you need to know is what kratom is! Kratom is a plant. Specifically, it is a tree that is native to southern Asia where warm and wet climates help this deciduous tree grow big and strong. There are huge forests of kratom trees in Borneo, Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Thailand, and other neighboring regions as well.
Kratom is one of the largest tropical trees; it can tower to heights of over 70 feet when the conditions are optimal. People that are trying kratom, however, are more interested in what kratom has to offer them and not as interested in how tall it can grow!
What’s So Special About The Kratom Tree?
If it’s not the height of the Kratom tree that makes it interesting, what is it that people find attractive about this plant?
Kratom is a kind of tree that is part of the coffee family, and its Latin name is Mitragyna speciosa. There are about seven different trees in this species, but kratom is the most well-known variety. Kratom trees and similar varieties contain what are known as mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine.
Both of these compounds are types of alkaloids, and alkaloids are substances that can have effects on your body. Common alkaloids include the caffeine in coffee or tea and the quinine in tonic water.
In short, kratom tree leaves contain special plant compounds that interact with your body when consumed! No wonder so many people are flocking to buy kratom online.
Why Do People Take Kratom?
Before we get too much deeper into the history of kratom and how it is used, let’s talk about why people are taking it. Does anyone you know use kratom? Have they told you why they are using it?
If you’ve only heard about kratom in passing, you might not yet have a good idea of why there are people that use this botanical daily, if not more frequently.
Most kratom consumers are using this plant because they feel that it helps improve their quality of life and makes their days better. They may have specific issues they hope to address, and different people use kratom for a wide variety of different reasons.
The American Kratom Association has estimated that perhaps 10-15 million people in the United States use kratom every week!
The History of Kratom
Kratom has been used in the areas where it is native for hundreds of years, if not longer. The tree has many traditional and medicinal uses in the areas where it is native, and the local cultures have found ways to incorporate it into their belief systems and rituals for a long time.
Most commonly, Southeast Asian cultures have used kratom leaves in the following ways:
- • Brewed as a tea
- • Chewed on the leaves
Today, the kratom leaves are still used in these ways, but it’s more common to see the international populations that are using kratom to grind it into a fine powder before consuming the leaves instead of using the more traditional consumption methods.
Consuming Kratom Today
How do people use the kratom once it is ground into a fine powder? There are a lot of different ways that the kratom can then be consumed, but we’ll briefly introduce the most common methods.
Some people create Kratom tea from the powder; others put the powder into capsules and take it directly. You can even make a tincture with the powder to try a different intake method. Ultimately, the best method for you is going to depend on your taste and your needs, so you will want to try out a few different methods to get it right for you and your body.
The Legal Issue of Kratom
We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention one big aspect of kratom: its pending legal status. At the time of writing, kratom is still fully legal in most states, though there are some states that are considering restrictions on its use. If you search kratom online, you might even find some articles about the supposed dangers of kratom.
At the same time, you may also know that some states have passed a law that protects both kratom consumers and the kratom industry, requiring reasonable regulation on all kratom products. Look for more states to pass the Kratom Consumer Protection Act in the upcoming legislative session.
Unfortunately, there hasn’t been enough research done about kratom yet, so there are a lot of incorrect or misrepresented stories about kratom out there. Most of the situations covered in these stories were caused by misuse of kratom or by vendors that were selling impure kratom.
Our Stance on Kratom
Here at Phytoextractum, we ensure that all of the products we sell are of the highest quality. We believe it is very important that vendors are held responsible for the quality of their products, and that is why we support the ongoing efforts by the American Kratom Association to encourage all vendors to follow Good Manufacturing Procedures.
We believe that Kratom can be a completely safe and productive botanical as long as it is used, managed, and created responsibly. It is our hope to be able to provide only high-quality and lab tested products to you!
Is It Time To Try?
Now that you know a little bit more about kratom, are you interested in giving it a try?
If so, we welcome you to take a look at the different strains, colors, and consumption styles of kratom we have available here at Phytoextractum! If you have any additional questions or concerns about kratom, check out our resources or message us to get more information. We hope that we can help you explore the world of kratom with ease!