Mitragyna speciosa - Kratom Information

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Mitragyna speciosa - Kratom

Page Contents
1. Names
	1.1 Taxonomy
2 Methods of Use 3 The experience 4. Toxicity 5. Chemistry 6. Distribution 7. Photos 8. Related Pages 9. Referrences

1. Names: Back to top

Family: Rubiaceae

Subfamily: Cinchonoideae

Tribe: Naucleeae.

Botanical Name: Mitragyna speciosa Korth.

Extensions: N/A

English Name(s): Kratom

Synonyms:

Related Species: Mitragyna parvifolia (Roxb.) Korth.

1.1 Taxonomy: Back to top

2. Method of use : Back to top

Chewing fresh leaf is one common way. People place 2-8 fresh leaves in their mouth as a quid and swallow the juice. Some report effects without sallowing the juice. This method is obviously only useful if one has access to fresh leaf.

Any way of ingesting the leaf is effective. The leaf is quite nasty to the taste, so teas are often quite unpleasant but by no means is it a poor way of ingestion. Tea, capsules, directly washing down a lot of crushed/powdered leaf (toss n wash) all are quite effective. Often with most people they tend to take it in whatever way tastes the least horrible. Due to possible overdose, and the resulting nausea associated with it, smaller amounts should be started with to test 2 things. The materials strength, and the persons own reaction to it. 2 grams is said to be a good starter, and 2-5g is commonly used with new material. [2] [3]

In the summer of 2011 we visited southern Thailand and in Surat Thani province we met a few people and got talking about kratom. He mentioned the use of fruit instead of leaves, and the fruit resulting in a far stronger effect. In fact, he said it to be too strong and the risk of nausea is great. We have not tried this method, but coming from a man who cultivates kratom we take his word for it. Worth looking into should anyone stumble across some fresh fruit. That said, as far as commercial production, leaves are a far more efficient and realistic route of use as far as quantity and labour is concerned,

3. The experience: Back to top

When kratom leaf is ingested, or chewed, the desired effect is that of relaxation and possibly euphoria. A general feeling of well being and "inner" peace is often noticed, though not everyone reacts the same. Some people tend to feel nothing or sick, no in-between.

The commercial leaf powder we tried was similar in effect when drank as tea as was leaves chewed from wild plants in Borneo while camping. The effects were euphoric and general relaxation.

4. Toxicity: Back to top

In Sabah (Borneo), the locals are aware of its "narcotic" effects but tend to think it is a poisonous plant. In larger doses (often 7 + grams dried leaf for some people), severe nausea and vomiting can result. An overdose of kratom is a fairly uncomfortable experience that generally goes away in less than 1 day.

The general consensus from people who ingest kratom leaf is that plants are variable in strength and one should always start low with new material to avoid possible problems. [2]

5. Chemistry: Back to top

Please note: Some chemicals may not be listed and some may or may not be toxic. Do not consume plants based on this table, it only gives a general idea of *some* of the chemicals this plant contains.

Chemical Name	Plant part	Quantity	Chemical activities	Referrences
Ajmalicine	Leaf			[1]
Epicatechin	Leaf	150ppm		[1]
Mitraciliatine	Leaf	32ppm		[1]
Mitragynaline	Leaf			[1]
Mitragynine	Leaf	86ppm		[1]
Mitragynol	Plant			[1]
Mitraohylline	Leaf			[1]
Mitraspecine	Seed			[1]
Mitraversine	Plant			[1]
Paynantheine	leaf	50ppm		[1]
Rhynchophylline	Leaf			[1]
Speciociliatine	Leaf	30ppm		[1]
Speciofoline	Leaf			[1]
Speciogynine	Leaf	44ppm		[1]
Speciophylline	Leaf			[1]
Uncarine-D	Plant			[1]

6. Distribution : Back to top

Native to: Malaysia (including Borneo), Brunei, Indonesia (including Borneo), Southern Philippenes, Papua New Guinea, Southern Thailand.

Cultivated in (outdoor): Singapore, China, United States, Mexico, Brazil, Australia, France, Spain, Portugal, Vietnam, Taiwan, Japan. These are the areas we know of plants growing, it is quite possible it is grown in many more countries. It is also cultivated indoors in many more countries.

I would also suspect there is some growing in Myanmar due to its close proximaty to Thailand and other Mitragyna species already growing there. But we were not able to track any down.

Habitat: Found often along streams of heavy rainfall areas. Especially in the edges of floodplains, or in flood plains. Although wild populations that we have seen tend to grow around slower moving large rivers, and resulting lakes, in cultivation they are quite well adapted to farmland that is not flooded at any time of year. It seems quite reasonable to assume they could quite easily grow away from rivers in the wild as well. Swampy areas and areas taht recieve heavy rainfal are certainly preferred over dried forest type settings. Often also in the open, not under tall forest canopy. They are been cultivated as a commercial crop in Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and Taiwan that we know of.