Our world is full of wonder species and an abode to lot of medicinal herbs which are in more than one way very useful to mankind if used in an effective way. red maeng da is one such rare herb which is largely found in South East Asian countries like Malaysia, Thailand, Myanmar and Indonesia. Its scientific name is MITRAGYNA SPECIOSA and belongs to the coffee family RUBIACEAE. A Dutch botanist named Pieter Korthals discovered and named it so. It has been used in traditional medicine since 19th century in the treatment of common ailments like Bronchitis, asthma, diarrhoea and some chronic pains. It is time tested in the treatment of opioid withdrawal and also as recreational drug. Its effect starts from 5 to 10 minutes of consumption and can last till 3 to 5 hours.
Traditional uses of Kratom:
- In its native countries the leaves of the tree are directly used to treat musculoskeletal pains.
- Its energy and appetite enhancing properties have also been acclaimed in those countries.
- Like with many other traditional plants, Kratom leaves are also significantly used in healing of wounds and recovery from minor damages. Coughs and intestinal infections can also be minimised with the extract of these leaves.
- Its mental health enhancing properties have also been popularised by the native residents. According to them, it is a mood enhancer and offers relief from anxiety and depression.
- It is also used in recreational purposes as cocktail in combination with other drinks.
Modern use:
Modern scientific studies also prove some health benefits of Kratom.
- The alkaloids present in Kratom leaves have analgesic properties which act as pain relievers.
- The leaves of Kratom act on the metabolic process of the body and help in increasing energy. This is done as a result of increase in blood flow filled with oxygen.
- It helps in mental health of an individual by reducing anxiety, depression, mood swings and other related mental problems.
- Kratom helps in promoting heart health by reducing blood pressure, hypertension, strokes and heart attacks. This is because of the chemical components present in the leaves.
As some of the benefits of Kraton are yet to be scientifically proved it is illegal in some countries like its native Thailand where many Kratom related crimes have been registered recently.