Kratom has had its fair share of time in the spotlight and you might be one of the many people interested in it. Traditionally, kratom has been well known for its medicinal properties and is still being used extensively in some parts of Asia. And now it has been gaining popularity and in the west. You could be reading this article because you are on the fence if you should, or should not, . In this article, we will talk about some of the benefits of using it as a food supplement as well as list some of the cautions that you should keep in mind.
When you make a quick search about the benefits of Kratom, the reason for its popularity can be quickly understood. The ones that pop out quite a lot are its ability to relieve joint pains, improve metabolism and even boost your sexual energy. It also has psychological benefits like easing your anxiety, reducing stress and helping with addiction.
Understanding Kratom Leaves Before You Buy Kratom
The word Kratom which has been freely used to define the powdered product is actually the name of the tree itself. This tree grows in the tropics and is abundant in parts of South East Asia, such as in Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. It’s earliest known usage in the modern world is as a substitute for morphine. Sadly, the comparisons, well beyond its addictive properties which should be a cause for caution before consumption. The Kratom powder that we often see on the market is created from the leaves of the Kratom tree. The leaves contain the chemical compounds and nutrients that affect the organs of the body.
Traditional consumption of Kratom as observed from the Thais and other denominations from SouthEast Asia is by directly chewing the leaves. It is found that the male population of Thailand is particularly fond of the practice wherein at least 70% of them would consume 10 to 60 leaves per day.
The Kratom that westerners usually encounter are in the form of a powder but the substance is quite versatile. As already mentioned, the leaves themselves are chewable and there are markets that sell the product as is. This is probably the cheapest version of the product as there is no other effort involved in production other than, of course, the gathering of the leaves. Some also sell Kratom as an extract. There are many ways to gather the extract of Kratom. The most basic method is by simply grinding the leaves and collecting the liquid that oozes out. This method, however, is considered wasteful because the leaves themselves contain a high concentration of Kratom active ingredients. This is the reason why some consumers prefer to buy Kratom as a poultice which still contains the solid fibers mushed together with the extract. Both the extract and the poultice are often encased in small bottles and displayed by vendors beside main roads.
Another possible way to consume Kratom is by smoking it. Because of the notoriety of other leaves being smoked like marijuana and tobacco, there is an apprehension in consuming Kratom in this manner especially in the US. It should be noted however that the psychological effect of Kratom is not necessarily obtained by smoking it as one my presume.
Since Kratom leaves have been readily chewed, processing the leaves into gum has been one of the key developments for the medicinal product. Turning it into gum gave the product a brand new way of consuming it as well as giving it a better way to package it as opposed to dry leaves in a bag.
Finally, since it is a leaf, it naturally works as a tea and that is the reason why it also has been consumed as such. As a tea, the natural aroma that it produces has a calming effect that directly affects the person drinking.
The Reason to Buy Kratom – Health Benefits
One of the more common uses for Kratom is relieving pain throughout the body. Because Kratom is very rich in analgesic properties, it comes as no surprise that it is quite effective as a pain reliever. The way it works is it works with the hormonal system of the body. The pain signals are being stopped directly without making any direct physical contact to parts of the body that experience the pain. The key compounds are the serotonin and dopamine that is released into the bloodstream. As the leaves of Kratom are chewed, more and more of both these substances are circulated in the body. The combination of the lifting effects of these substances combined with the hormonal activity greatly dulls the pain to the point of relief and comfort. This usage is highly reminiscent of the effect of morphine and opium and is the reason why the plant has gained ground throughout the medical world.
Another key area where medical experts have seen benefits in consuming Kratom is as an immune booster. Nowadays, a strong immune system is the only thing that keeps a lot of people healthy due to viral diseases that are highly transmittable. Research has shown that there exists an assortment of alkaloids in the leaves of Kratom that has a combative effect on various ailments. The antimicrobial properties of Kratom has also been noted and is the reason why its leaves are considered to be a great natural source of antioxidants.
Finally, studies have shown that Kratom has metabolic effects that positively affects a person’s energy levels. And this might be the reason why Kratom leaves have become so popular. On the days when much of the populous regions of Southeast Asia have not yet been heavily industrialized, the men who work have to do a lot of heavy lifting, literally. Kratom activates the body’s muscle triggers so it grants strength in a limited time similar to how caffeine in coffee works. Today, this is still a valid use for Kratom.