The tropical tree Mitragyna speciosa goes by the common name kratom which originates from Southeast Asia. Traditional medicine practitioners have employed kratom leaves throughout centuries to obtain potential advantages, starting from pain relief, continuing through mood enhancement, and concluding with increased energy levels.
The availability of concentrated kratom extract from Mitragyna speciosa leaves has become increasingly popular in recent years because it provides an efficient method to experience its effects.
What does the extract from Mitragyna speciosa leaf encompass, and what functions serve as its applications? This detailed guide provides all essential information about this potent extract from Mitragyna speciosa lea,f including benefits as well as usage recommendations and usage guidelines for safe consumption.
What is Mitragyna Speciosa?
Mitragyna speciosa represents one natural NPS originating from Asia and Africa that belongs to the Rubiaceae family. Thailand refers to this substance as kratom, but local names like kakuam, kraton, ketum, ithang, and thom also exist alongside the Malaysian name biak-biak. Cultural use of kratom with O-demethyltramadol results in the composite term krypton.
Thai locals mainly find kratom trees in the southern regions, where people can obtain them easily from tearooms to replace their opium and alcohol intake.
Two kratom varieties exist because their leaf vein shows green and red color distinctions. The local population tends to prefer red vein kratom because it offers a prolonged duration of effects at the expense of a bitter taste.
People typically consume 10 to 30 fresh leaves of kratom daily as a powder after chewing them down and swallowing the resulting mixture, yet drying the leaves enables both smoking and tea preparation.
Kratom Regulation in Thailand
The Kratom Act from 1943 introduced regulatory measures to kratom in Thailand because authorities believed this change primarily aimed to boost revenue instead of protecting public health.
People turned to kratom as an alternative to expensive opium because taxes affected the opium trade, so the Thai government’s revenue suffered.
The Thai government implemented kratom regulations based on the Narcotics Act, which grouped it similarly to cannabis, opium, and hallucinogenic mushrooms in Category V.
What is Mitragyna Speciosa Leaf Extract?
The extract of Mitragyna speciosa leaf is derived from concentrated kratom produced through the processing of Mitragyna speciosa tree leaves. Production of the extract involves separating and intensifying kratom leaf alkaloids, particularly mitragynine together with 7-hydroxymitragynine.
Kratom generates diverse effects from stimulating to sedating elements through its alkaloids, depending on dosage quantity and strain types.
Users can purchase Mitragyna speciosa leaf extract in various forms, including liquid, powder, and capsules, due to its known potency. Due to its high concentration levels, the extract from Mitragyna speciosa leaves creates similar effects as raw kratom powder and requires reduced amounts.
Preparation of Methanolic Extract of M. speciosa
The researchers obtained 10 kilograms of M. speciosa leaf fresh material, which underwent cleaning through running tap water, followed by shade drying for two weeks until pulvization.
The prepared leaf powder was dissolved in liquid methanol (isocratic HPLC grade) over 10 L in two stages lasting 20 hours before sonication occurred for 4 hours at room temperature (25°C). The filtered methanol extract was completed through the use of filter paper.
A rotary evaporator allowed the removal of methanol solvent in the extractive process through evaporation. A total of 230 g dried M. speciosa methanolic extract (MMS) was obtained for storage at 4°C within the amber container.
The Mitragyna Speciosa Tree
Before learning about Mitragyna speciosa leaf extract, you should first understand the tropical tree from which it originates. In the hot and humid Southeast Asian climate, the Mitragyna speciosa tree grows as part of its coffee family membership. Here are some key characteristics of the tree:
- Appearance: The tree can grow up to 80 feet tall, with large, glossy leaves that contain the plant’s active alkaloids.
- Habitat: Mitragyna speciosa grows naturally in countries like Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea.
- Traditional Use: For centuries, the leaves of the Mitragyna speciosa tree have been chewed, brewed into tea, or used in traditional medicine to combat fatigue, relieve pain, and improve mood.
What is Kratom Used For?
Kratom, or Mitragyna speciosa leaf extract, is used for a variety of purposes. While scientific research on kratom is still ongoing, many users report experiencing the following benefits:
1. Chronic pain relief
Kratom can manage chronic pains like arthritis, fibromyalgia, and other joint pain. It is one of the main reasons individuals use this herb widely in the US and across Western Europe.
Kratom alkaloids work with opioid receptors and reduce the feeling of pain in the mind without the high risk of respiratory depression if compared to traditional opioids. Long-term use of kratom provides relief and allows people to lead a more active and stable life.
2. Mood stabilization
It also impacts dopamine and serotonin pathways in the human body, which results in helping in managing anxiety and depression. Many users report that long-term use of kratom helps them maintain emotional balance over months or years. Some people also reported that their need for synthetic antidepressants has significantly reduced.
3. Energy and productivity
Kratom strains, mainly white and green, are popular for boosting energy and improving focus. Long-term users also reported that kratom has significantly enhanced their productivity and motivation during work hours.
4. Support for opioid withdrawal
Kratom is commonly used to manage withdrawal symptoms from traditional opioids. It provides mild euphoria with pain relief, which helps in easy withdrawal without any cravings or withdrawal symptoms.
5. Natural alternative to pharmaceuticals
People also use it as a natural alternative to pharmaceutical medicines for managing chronic conditions and body pains.
Benefits of Mitragyna Speciosa Leaf Extract
Mitragyna speciosa leaf extract offers several benefits over raw kratom powder or leaves. Here are some of the key benefits:
1. Potency
Smaller doses from the extract solution lead to powerful effects because of its high concentration levels.
2. Convenience
People can incorporate the extract through beverage addition, capsules, and tincture solutions.
3. Precise Dosing
Standardization in extract production enables precise measurement of dosage, which would be otherwise difficult with unprocessed kratom powder.
4. Versatility
The extract from Mitragyna speciosa leaves enables use in various delivery methods to accommodate different consumers.
How to Use Mitragyna Speciosa Leaf Extract
The consumption methods for Mitragyna speciosa leaf extract vary according to personal choice and extract format. Here are some common methods:
1. Liquid Extract
Three suitable options exist for consuming liquid extracts, including water and juice, or tea. To use the extrac,t measure your preferred dose through the dropper and blend it into your beverage.
2. Powdered Extract
The powdered extract works well as a smoothie ingredient or yogurt add-in or it can dissolve in various foods. For convenient use, the extract can be prepared as capsules.
3. Capsules
The pre-measured format of Mitragyna speciosa leaf extract capsules provides users with an easy way to consume this extract.
4. Tinctures
You can obtain fast absorption by placing tinctures under your tongue since they are alcohol-based extracts.
Potential Side Effects of Mitragyna Speciosa Leaf Extract
While Mitragyna speciosa leaf extract is generally well-tolerated, it can cause side effects, especially when taken in high doses. Common side effects include:
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Constipation
- Dry mouth
- Insomnia (if taken late in the day)
Final Thoughts
Mitragyna speciosa leaf extract offers a potent and convenient way to experience the benefits of kratom, including pain relief, mood enhancement, and increased energy. Since kratom extract exists in a highly concentrated form, users need smaller amounts to attain the desired effects, which has made it interesting to kratom connoisseurs.
The proper use of kratom preserves both personal health and safety and positive results. Users who commence their kratom experience at low levels while drinking sufficient liquids and staying clear of combined substances will experience minimal unfavorable effects.
Studying research on kratom will guide people to wisely integrate this substance into their health-aware lifestyle.
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