The coffee plant has been in existence since the 10th century, and published reports indicate that people began using it by the 16th century to help them feel more alert. However, your morning cup of Joe is not the only plant that is part of the coffee family. In fact, natives from Thailand have been aware of the Mitragynaspeciosa plant and trees for thousands of years, and this species can also offer an uplifting, stimulating effect when the leaves are chewed or made into a tea.
The scientific term Mitragynaspeciosa name may not mean anything to you, but you have probably heard this plant’s common name: Kratom. There has been a lot of recent media attention surrounding Kratom leaves, and some state lawmakers have even attempted to make it illegal. However, Kratom has an extensive history throughout Southeast Asia, and it has even been used for medicinal purposes.
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Kratom comes in multiple strains, and the specific type that someone chooses will have an impact on their overall experience. For example, if you are looking for a coffee replacement that will help get you get motivated in the morning without causing headaches or the jitters, you will probably want to choose a stimulating strain such as Thai Kratom or Maeng Da Kratom. On the contrary, individuals who want to enjoy a calming cup of Kratom before bed will reportedly get better results from Borneo Kratom, Bali Kratom and Indo Kratom.
At this point, Kratom is legal to use throughout most of the U.S., and it can be easily found online from e-retailers such as Kratom Crazy. In Thailand, an estimated 70 percent of men chew on Kratom leaves on a regular basis to receive an energy boost and to benefit from the plant’s natural analgesic properties. In the U.S. and many other countries around the world, Kratom is sold in a powder format.
There have been some news reports that question whether or not Kratom offers a narcotic effect. The truth is that Kratom does bind to the opioid receptors, but the recommended dosage amount for each strain is not nearly strong enough to give people a so-called legal high. According to numerous online user reviews, Kratom does provide a pleasant feeling, but this is frequently described as being similar to coffee.
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Users have also stated that Kratom’s effects typically last longer than coffee, and they may include alertness, a moderate feeling of euphoria and an overall sense of well-being. In other words, Kratom has the potential to provide you with a temporary boost that can help you get through a difficult day, but overly zealous lawmakers who have taken up arms against it will next need to focus on coffee to avoid looking like hypocrites.
From a medical standpoint, there are some researchers who believe that Kratom’s natural painkilling properties could eventually make it very interesting to pharmaceutical companies. According to Scientific American, it is possible that a more concentrated dose of Kratom could offer a higher caliber prescription pain reliever than the type that the medical community is currently relying on. As an added bonus, Kratom does not appear to be a high risk factor for respiratory depression, which would be a very welcome change from the most commonly prescribed pain medications.
It remains to be seen if any Western countries will embrace Kratom has a medicinal plant, but it has definitely become popular as a coffee substitute. Additionally, many people who have chronic pain have added Kratom tea to their daily routine. Chewing on the leaves of this naturally occurring tree and plant has been a way of life in Southeast Asia for many centuries, and the world of online sales has finally made Kratom available worldwide.
A very well written article 🙂