Kratom is the common name for Mitragyna speciosa, a tropical evergreen tree in the coffee family that is native to Southeast Asia.(Source) It grows naturally in countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Myanmar, Vietnam, and Papua New Guinea, where hot, humid, rainforest-like conditions support its growth.(Source)

Kratom trees can grow more than 80 feet tall and have large, dark green leaves with prominent veins that may appear white, green, or red depending on the plant’s chemistry and stage of growth.(Source) These veins contain dozens of alkaloids, the most studied of which are mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine. When ingested, these compounds interact with receptors in the brain and body and can produce stimulant, mood-altering, and opioid-like effects.(Source)

In traditional Southeast Asian settings, kratom leaves have been chewed fresh or brewed as a tea for centuries, often by laborers seeking increased stamina or relief from aches and fatigue.(Source) Today, most kratom sold in the United States is processed into powders, capsules, concentrated extracts, and pressed tablets. These products are typically taken by mouth and are widely available online, in smoke shops, and in some convenience stores.(Source)