Kratom has gained traction in the US as a wellness tool that can relieve acute pain and combat fatigue. Although its mainstream use in the west is novel, kratom has been part of many cultures in Indochina and Southeast Asia. The supplement comes from a naturally occurring shrub (Mitragyna speciosa) native to Thailand, Indonesia, Myanmar, Malaysia, and Papua New Guinea. Today, users can buy the strongest kratom online from licensed retailers.
Kratom’s Natural Habitat
Kratom supplements come from the leaves of the Mitragyna speciosa shrub, which is of the Rubiaceae family. The tree is a tropical evergreen plant found in Southeast Asia and has been part of herbal medicine for centuries. Kratom has opioid characteristics and strong stimulating effects, similar to coffee. The plant is part of the coffee family but doesn’t contain caffeine. Kratom grows to 4-16 meters high and produces lush green leaves that remain all year round.
The leaves and stigmas resemble the bishop’s miter, so some people suggest that’s where the genus (Mitragyna) originated. Others speculate the name came from Mithraic cults that used the plant for spiritual transcendence. Southeast Asia natives traditionally chopped and chewed the fresh or dried leaves of kratom. The natives also brewed kratom tea for local manual laborers to improve productivity and fight fatigue.
Kratom preparations were also common during socioreligious ceremonies. In Thailand, the plant is part of treatments that address medical conditions like morphine dependence. Malaysian natives also use the plant as an opium substitute. Kratom has been around for thousands of years in its indigenous habitat. The plant also made its way around the world through immigrants. Today, the strongest kratom supplements are available worldwide.
Early Cultivation & Uses
The kratom plant thrived in the wild for ages before natives began cultivating it. People from Thailand began growing kratom in the early 20th century to maximize its medicinal potential. Today, kratom is cultivated throughout countries in Southeast Asia, albeit under heightened regulations. Kratom production, export, and use are legal in Thailand, but the rules only apply to medicinal kratom.
In the US, all kratom comes from Indonesia. Since kratom is available in regions with less suitable climates, people have begun growing the plant indoors. The practice is still novel and presents various challenges because kratom trees require a lot of space, water, and light. Kratom from native lands offers the most potent effects. Early users would brew the leaves in a tea or smoke the leaves in pipes. Others also chewed them plain.
Kratom leaves have a bitter taste and play a role in traditional herbal medicines in regions like Thailand and Indonesia. Manual laborers and peasants primarily used the plant to ease soreness and fatigue caused by physical labor. Kratom leaves were also used in poultices to relieve pain, wounds, and various ailments. The active compounds provide relief within minutes, and the effects can last several hours.
Kratom Discovery Outside Asia
Dutch botanist Pieter Willem Korthals recorded the kratom plant in 1831. Many believe this is the year kratom was introduced to the western world. Immigrants to the United States from Southeast Asia brought the plant to the west during the 1980s and 1990s. The immigrant communities continued to use kratom in isolation until the recent wave that has seen kratom become mainstream.
Kratom is unregulated in many regions, meaning no laws govern cultivation and use. Some countries like Thailand have legalized medicinal kratom. In the US, kratom’s use is left to the states. Some regions have statewide bans, while others set local legislation, so you should review your local laws before buying kratom online. As kratom becomes popular, its availability and use continue to evolve.
Natives in Thailand and Indonesia still chew the leaves and brew kratom tea. In the west, kratom leaves are ground into powder and used in isolation or mixed with other foods and beverages. One of the best ways to integrate kratom into your diet is to make tea out of the leaves. You can use kratom tea to replace your morning coffee routine. People also use the toss-and-wash method, which involves swallowing kratom pills with water.
Buy the Strongest Kratom Online
Kratom has similar restrictions to CBD, which means your local laws determine whether the substance is legal. If your state permits use, you can get the strongest kratom from licensed online retailers. Kratom has potential health benefits, including pain relief, combating fatigue, and easing various discomforts. You’ll only enjoy these benefits if you find high-quality kratom tested by credible third-party labs.
