what is a kratom
Kratom is a tree native to Southeast Asia (Thailand, Malaysia and Myanmar). Its botanical name is Mitragyna speciosa. The leaves of kratom have been used as an herbal drug from time immemorial by tribes of Southeast Asia. It is used as a stimulant (in low doses), sedative (in high doses), recreational drug, pain killer, medicine for diarrhea, and treatment for opiate addiction.
TEXT IN IMAGE APPEARS LATER IN ARTICLE. Kratom is a relatively new drug to the US and Europe. It has been used for many years in Southeast Asia as an anti-diarrheal medicine, a painkiller and a recreational drug. Kratom is the popular name for a tree and the drug comes from its leaves. The drug may be bought in leaf form but in this country, it is more likely to be purchased as a capsule filled with powdered leaf material or a chopped up form of the leaf that can be used for tea or smoking. Most people ingest the drug.