What is Kratom?

One of the most frequently asked questions that we receive on a day to day basis is “What is Kratom?”

Well, let’s give a brief overview of what Kratom is:

“Kratom trees, most often classified by genus and species name: Mitragyna Speciosa Korth, has an average height of 12-30 ft (3.7 to 9.1 m) and the circumference of 15 ft (4.6 m) wide at the point leafiest. Some kratom trees have been found [that] actually top out at more than 95 meters. Kratom leaves are oval or ovate-oblong, dark, glossy, green. The leaves [of the kratom tree] can grow up to 7 “long and almost 4” wide. Veins are greenish-white (known as “white vein” or “green veins”) or red (known as “red veins”). The “green or white vein” reported stronger. The average weight of fresh, dried leaves is between ½ gram to 2 grams. During the flowering stage, the [kratom] tree can produce up to 120 florets yellow and round. The fruit of this interest reflects the capsule in the form and produces small, flat seeds.

Mitragyna Speciosa Korth, part of the Rubiaceae (coffee) family, is a tropical tree native to Southeast Asia, the Philippines and New Guinea, although it is now being cultivated in other areas. The most dominating location is Thailand (referred to as “Kratom“, “kakuam“, “ithang” or “thom“) and Malaysia (referred to as “coriander” or “Biak-Biak“) with cultivation has recently become dominant in Indonesia (known as the “Bali” or “Indo” Kratom). This tree was first documented by botanists Dutch, Korthals. Korthals gave the genus its name because of the stigma of the first species examined resembles the shape of a bishop’s miter. Other species of Mitragyna are found in India and Asia, among others: M. Tubulosa, M. parvifolia, M. hirsuta, M. diversifolia, M. rotundifolia and M. Kuntze. M. ciliate, M. Inermis, M. Stipulosa and M. Africanus widely grown in West Africa.

Over 25 alkaloids have been isolated from Kratom. Most alkaloids consist of three indoles and two oxindoles. Three indoles are mitragynine, paynanthine, and speciogynine – the first two are apparently unique to this species. Both oxindoles which are mitraphylline and speciofoline. Other alkaloids present include other indoles, and oxindoles as ajmalicine, corynanthedine, mitraversine, rhychophylline, and stipulatine.