What is Kratom?

From it’s use in folk medicine in Southeast Asia to its wide variety of uses in the west, Kratom’s history is as interesting as the botanical itself.

Traditional Use

Early records indicate that Kratom was used by indigenous Southest Asian cultures for thousands of years in traditional folk medicine. In this way, Kratom was used to help with pain, to increase energy, or as a mood enhancer.

The West “Discovers” Kratom

Kratom was observed by Dutch traders as early as the 17th century, but wasn’t given it’s Latin name, Mitragyna Speciosa, until 1839 by Dutch colonist Peter Korhols.

Kratom in the United States

Around 2010 Kratom grew in popularity in the United States.

In 2014 the FDA began seizing shipments of Kratom from Southeast Asia to the United States that were labeled as dietary supplements.

The Drug Enforcement Agency tried to place Kratom on the Schedule I controlled substances list. After a ground roots movement from consumers, 51 members of the House of Representatives and 9 Senators sent a letter to the DEA administration to halt the action. Kratom is currently legal in the United States except for a few states.

Use of Kratom

The many strains of kratom are reportedly enjoyed by consumers in a number of ways providing affects from calm relaxation to motivated energy. Kratom continues to grow in popularity.