History Of Kratom Use In Southeast Asia

Kratom Leaves

Kratom: An Herbal Remedy 

Throughout history, humans have used plant-derived materials to treat ailments, cope with stress, and achieve altered states. Even with the development of modern pharmaceuticals and medical practices, many people still use herbal remedies either as alternatives to or in conjunction with mainstream medical care.

Several years ago, it was reported that more than 30% of US patients had used or were currently using herbal-based remedies. Among these natural remedies, Kratom has gained great popularity in recent years due to its reliable effects.

 

Kratom Southeast Asia

Kratom's Many Uses

It’s unclear when kratom use began, and, although we only have a couple centuries of documented Kratom use in Southeast Asia, the practice is thought to be ancient. In its native growing regions, leaves from the plant have been used for many purposes.

Kratom In Thailand and Malaysia

Besides traditional medicinal uses, kratom leaves have also been used by Thai and Malaysian natives for centuries to help promote energy and physical ease. Even today, Kratom is particularly favored by physical laborers in Southeast Asian countries.

Traditionally, the broad green leaves are plucked by hand and chewed or dried in the sun, to be brewed as a tea, or, less commonly, pulverized and swallowed with water.

Kratom Flower

From at least as far back as the early 19th century in Malaysia, kratom has also been used as an herbal remedy. In the early 20th century, during Thailand’s opiate epidemic, Kra-thum gained popularity, but was quickly squashed by the Thai government.

Unfortunately, after Kra-thum appeared on the Thai government’s radar as a threat to their opium profits, they outlawed Kra-thum. However, Thailand recently changed its Kratom laws to allow its use for medicinal purposes.

The Unfolding Of Kratom's History

Despite the legal restrictions in some Southeast Asian countries, Kratom never became widely perceived as a drug and kept its place as an herbal supplement by the general villagers and labor workers.

The story of Kratom is alive today and the West has become an essential part of it. With Kratom for sale online and in retail stores across the United States and Kratom use growing at a steady rate, it looks like Kratom is finding its place in American society.

Not only does our entry into Kratom’s story bring with it plenty of unanswered questions about Kratom’s history (like whether it has been used for centuries or for millennia), but also basic questions about the plant itself, like, what’s the real difference between Kratom strains?

*Please note that the above text is purely for informational purposes. Our products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, illness, or other medical ailment.