Kratom botanically known by a tongue twisting name Mitragyna Speciosa is a medicinal herb generally found in Southeast Asian countries like Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia etc. Kratom has been in controversy for a long time, not that its over yet. Similar to coffee, Kratom stimulates mind, which made its legal status somewhat dark in some countries. Well looking at the positive side, Kratom has been used as a medicine in Thailand since ages. It was also used for spiritual purposes until its misuse started. The herb grows in abundance mainly in Thailand and neighboring countries.
History
Kratom was first noticed by a botanist, Pieter Willem Korthals who was working for the East India Company. It was used for spiritual purposes by the Thai people who never recognized its social harm. They also used it as a medicine to fight fatigue, lethargy and tiredness. The herb was used as an energy stimulant specially among laborers, peasants and farmers to overcome the burden of hard work. Traditionally, the Thai people also used Kratom to enhance sexual activity by prolonging their sexual intercourse. Not many knew much about Kratom outside Thailand and as a matter of fact, still do not know. Those interested in conducting research can buy kratom online at websites such as Kratomystic. It is very important to know that Kratom should not be ingested, and those choosing to buy kratom for internet resources should be only using it for botanical and scientific research.
Legal Status
The Kratom first came into notice when it began to be used for recreational purposes and Thai Government had banned it because of opium. The Thai Government was losing revenue that was generated from opium, as people started using Kratom because of its low cost. Without giving it a further thought, the Thai Government banned Kratom and went to lengths to eradicate the herb by burning down forests and stretching the ban to even limit plantation of Kratom trees. The southern Thai minority feels that Kratom is not a drug but a medicine used to gain energy. Thus, the Thai Government under UEI Kratom Act, 2486 to ban the herb in the year 1943.
Even Malaysia has banned the use of Kratom and its end products through Poisons Act, 1952. Recently, Australia too has banned the medicinal herb by terming it as a drug. Where the West is concerned, they do not know much about the plant except in states of Indiana and Louisiana where it has been banned too. Some botanists say that countries have criminalized it without researching much about its uses and chemical composition and thus oppose the ban. On the other hand, some botanists adamantly group this herb as a drug.
Usage
Kratom plant is used as a medicine in Thailand and some other countries as an energy supplement. Kratom is also used to cure diarrhea. Mitragyna is used as a detox and is given to patients who are addicted to opium, to cure their addiction. People who are over-worked or stressed can take Kratom to change their moods.
Kratom is available in the form of powder, leaves and resin. Although Kratom is banned in a few countries its status as a drug is still not clear. In 2010, the Thai Narcotics Control Bureau had asked the Government to lift the ban and decriminalize the herb but for economical benefits its status remained unchanged. The Transnational Institute too argues the criminalization of Kratom and presses on further research to clear its status. Whatever may come in future, presently the Kratom is criminalized in several countries but not by the International community.