Kratom: Deadly Drug or Life-Saving Medicine?

By. Bryan Gruley For BloombergBusinessweek 






There are very few studies regarding Mitragyna speciosa even though the usage of this plant as health benefits goes back to the 19th century.

  • In the 1890s, Kratom aroused as a threat as it showed a possibility of being an opium substitute. Locals around Asia were using the plant as a replacement whenever opium is not available or not affordable.
  • 1900 introduces insight into an active alkaloid that Kratom possess. It was L. Wray who brought Kratom to the University of Edinburgh for research in hopes that the plant could be of any medical use. Researchers discovered its active alkaloid and named it mitragynine.
  • In 1930, It was also discovered that other than being a substitute for opium, Kratom could also be used as an ointment for wounds and could be used to aid fever and diarrhea.
  • 1943, Thailand banned Kratom, which was followed by several neighboring countries.

The legality of Kratom and its unique alkaloid, mitragynine, is still under questioning. Indiana and Tennessee have banned Kratom as well, with them being the first two States to ban the plant. Also, Thailand is now considering Kratom’s legality and lifting its ban, but that is still under discussions.


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