Mitragyna speciosa (Korth) or “Kratom” is a tropical tree in the same family as the coffee tree (Rubiaceae). It is native to Southeast Asia, especially in Thailand.
Kratom tree can grow to a height of 12-15 m. The leaves are ovate-acuminated in shape, and opposite in growth pattern. About 70-80 flowers, which are packed in the round inflorescence, grow at the ends of the branches.
The leaves of Kratom have been traditionally used in Thailand for hundreds of years. Many farmers, gardeners, and laborers chewed kratom leaves to improve their work performance by increasing their endurance and tolerance to sunlight, and to relieve fatigue.
People also use kratom to treat many illnesses such as pain, coughing, diarrhea and diabetes. It is commonly consumed by chewing the fresh leaf or by grinding dried leaf into a powder, or by making it into a tea.
They usually removed the kratom leaves veins before consumption, and sometimes they added the salt to prevent constipation.
In Thai traditional medicine scripture, there were several traditional medicine formulas containing kratom, used to treat dysentery, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, and use as an opium substitute.