6 Special Benefits of Kratom Leaves for Health
Ever heard of kratom leaves? This tropical tree, which is part of the coffee family, grows in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and South Asia. In Indonesia, these green leaves are known as purik leaves or ketum.
This plant with the Latin name Mitragyna speciosa is usually dried and brewed as tea. Sometimes, ketum leaf extract is sold as a supplement. By some people, dried kratom leaves are also often smoked like tobacco.
For health, these leaves are also often used to treat certain complaints and diseases. Before discussing the benefits of kratom leaves further, let’s first discuss their contents.
The two most active ingredients in kratom leaves are mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine . With this content, here are the benefits of kratom leaves :
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- Relieves pain
There are three different varieties of kratom leaves, namely the white vein variety, the green vein variety, and the red vein variety. Although different, all are effective chronic pain relievers. The compound 7-hydroxymitragynine in kratom leaves is even known to be 13 times more potent than morphine.
- Increase Libido
The use of kratom leaves has been researched as a potential sexual desire-enhancing supplement. Researchers examined several clinical studies.
They reported findings on the aphrodisiac effects of kratom. They concluded that kratom is an effective herbal sexual enhancer.
- Improve Mood
Kratom leaves have a mood- boosting effect . According to a report, kratom is an effective treatment for opioid addiction. The herb has been shown to help ease the effects of drug withdrawal.
Other studies have shown that kratom leaves have the potential to act as antidepressants and hunger suppressants. In an animal study, researchers determined that kratom lowered corticosterone levels in mice.
High levels of corticosterone are associated with depression . However, more human research is needed to confirm the benefits of kratom leaves.
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- Improve Focus
One of the functions of kratom leaves is to increase focus. Consuming this herb is known to help release acetylcholine. Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter that plays an important role in increasing focus and reducing pain, muscle contractions, and regulating the endocrine system.
According to research, acetylcholine improves memory and focus by increasing the ability of cortical circuits to respond to sensory stimuli. Kratom leaves also induce the release of serotonin and dopamine. Both are associated with increased focus and attention span.
However, the benefits above have not been studied in depth. According to him, the above properties of kratom leaves have not been accepted in medical treatment.
- Overcoming Sleep Disorders
At higher doses, kratom has a calming sedative effect and induces drowsiness. However, its use must be careful. If used excessively and in the long term, it can actually trigger insomnia.
- Increases body immunity
that one of the benefits of kratom leaves is to improve the immune system. Kratom leaves contain several compounds that can help improve immune system function, such as Mitragynine .
The compound has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects that can help fight infections and inflammation. Although still legal in Indonesia, the use of kratom leaves is actually prohibited in several countries, such as the United States, Japan, and South Korea.
The use of kratom is still controversial throughout the world. Quoted from Healthline, in low doses, kratom works like a stimulant. Users will feel more energy.
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However, in high doses, the effects of kratom leaves are like a sedative, producing an impression of euphoria and eliminating emotions. Apart from that, there are also several side effects that can appear after consuming these leaves, namely:
- Constipation
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Insomnia
- Change in cheek color
- Dry mouth
- Chills, nauseaand vomiting
- Muscle ache
- Sleepy
- Dizzy
- Hallucinations
Although there are several health benefits of kratom leaves, this herb cannot yet be called a medicine. Supporting research is still needed to prove that the benefits of kratom outweigh its health risks.
