In the last couple of years, one plant originating from Southeast Asia has been in focus all over the world: Kratom. This tropical plant, ground from the leaves of a tree called Mitragyna speciosa, has been used in countries like Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia for hundreds of years.
Traditionally, it was ingested by chewing the leaves, brewing them into a tea, or even smoking them. Today, Kratom is becoming very popular in the West, available in powder, capsule, and extract forms.
Indeed, what is behind Kratom’s sudden interest among people worldwide?
This article points out why Kratom has been referred to as a “super-plant” and explores the reasons behind its growing global attention.
1. Origins and Traditional Uses of Kratom
The history of kratom stretches far back into Southeast Asia, where generations upon generations have utilized it in traditional practices. It held special regard among the locals because of its very unique nature.
Workers in the fields typically chewed the leaves to get through very long and exhausting days. Some native people used it as part of their cultural and social rituals; thus, in these respects, its calming effects were appreciated after a hard day’s work.
As the discovery of Kratom was splitting into the Western world, its traditional uses got various interests and curiosity. It became unrestrictedly used by anyone as an alternative for a totally natural product compared to other prevailing products at the time.
2. What Makes Kratom a Superplant?
So, what exactly gives Kratom the status of a “super-plant”?
The secret lies in its alkaloids, especially the ones known as mitragynine and hydroxy mitragynine. These compounds interact with the receptors in the brain to cause the said effects.
In this manner, one feels some activity that communicates with the body, and this can either be stimulating or sedating, depending on the strain and dosage used. This versatility in possible effects makes Kratom a highly valued herb among its users and is offered by numerous vendors like Kratom Earth.
That said, there exist several strains of kratom in the market. Usually, these are classified by color—a red, green, or white shade reflecting their different leaf veins.
Most red-vein varieties tend to be sedating. White vein kratom, however, is mostly considered stimulating. Green vein strains fall somewhere in between, which may be why they are often favored among those looking for a moderate effect.
Much of the growing interest in Kratom also occurred because it is a natural substance.
Synthetic products and chemicals surround people in today’s world; hence, most of them seek plants like kratom as a better alternative. It goes in tandem with the general trend of people looking for holistic, plant-based alternatives in regimes related to wellness.
3. Increasing Global Popularity
There are several different reasons for Kratom’s worldwide rise.
First and foremost, the internet did much to propagate awareness. Online communities or forums about Kratom pop up where users describe their experiences, debate over different strains, or assist those just going in. Having this kind of community makes Kratom far less mysterious and very approachable to the masses.
Another reason that fuels demand for kratom is the increasing need for natural products. With the urge to know what goes into one’s system, more and more people are becoming interested in natural products that may have potential benefits without the side effects common in synthetic substitutes.
Kratom fits just right into this trend since it has been used conventionally for many centuries now, which likely hints at a long history of human use. What’s more, its versatility makes kratom interesting to all sorts of people.
Be it an energy boost, unwinding after a long day’s work, or merely wanting to add a little something extra to their health and wellness routine; there is a spot for kratom in great numbers. This flexibility has given this drug a chance to find a place under the big umbrella of health and wellness by mainly being marketed as a super plant with several probable benefits.
4. Challenges and Controversies
Notwithstanding the ever-growing popularity of Kratom, it is invariably toggled with a fair deal of challenges and controversies. For example, in some countries, it is legally restricted because authorities argue on issues concerning safety and abuse potential. As a result, some countries are giving it varying receptions, where some taut its benefits and others are calling for stricter regulations on this substance.
For example, warnings from the FDA on Kratom have been issued in the United States, cautioning in regard to its safety, with warnings to consumers. However, many users and advocacy groups defend Kratom as a natural product that has long historical use, saying that, like everything else, it should be taken responsibly.
Wrapping Up
Kratom is, without a doubt, one of those plants that has gripped global attention. It originates from ancient Southeast Asian customs and has gained much fame in the West lately. It is considered an utter testimony to nature’s power and man’s quest for alternatives to synthetic products.
But with all the trials and controversies surrounding it, Kratom is sure to be claimed as a “super-plant” when more people find out what it could do. It is with any herbal product that a user needs to empower themselves with the proper knowledge and caution to make motivated decisions.
From the depths of the jungles in Southeast Asia to shelves across the Western world, Kratom’s story has been pretty interesting so far—quite literally, as its story is far from over.
