Taxonomy and Morphology of Kratom

In early 1839, Dutch botanist Pieter Willem Korthals discovered a new plant species named Mitragyna speciosa. The Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) classifies Mitragyna speciosa under the following taxonomy: Kingdom Plantae, Phylum Tracheophyta, Class Magnoliopsida, Order Gentianales, Family Rubiaceae, Genus Mitragyna Korth, and Species Mitragyna speciosa (Korth.) Havil (Firmansyah et al., 2021).

Kratom is also known by several other names, including ketum, purik, sepat, kedamba, ithang, kakuan, thom, or biak (BNN Gorontalo, 2021). It consists of three varieties with twenty types spread across Southeast Asia, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, and Myanmar, though it is now cultivated in other countries as well. The largest population of kratom plants is found in Indonesia, particularly on the islands of Kalimantan, Sumatra, and Papua (Firmansyah et al., 2021).

Kratom thrives in tropical climates with humid soils at 70%-80% moisture and fertile soils with a pH of 5.5-6.5. It grows from seeds that fall from trees and flourishes in rich, alluvial soils. Kratom plants can reach heights of 4-9 meters and widths of up to 5 meters, with some specimens attaining heights of 15-30 meters. The kratom plant comprises several distinctive parts, including roots, stems, stalks, leaves, flowers, seeds, and fruit (Firmansyah et al., 2021).

Source: Koran Jakarta (2022)

Ecological Value of Kratom

Kratom grows in river basins and swamps. It thrives in fertile, waterlogged alluvial soils. The plant can survive in acidic soil conditions and areas that are inundated year-round, prompting communities in Kalimantan to plant kratom along riverbanks and peat swamps as a means of preventing erosion from river currents (CNN Indonesia, 2021). Research teams from the Health Research and Development Agency in West Kalimantan have observed that kratom contributes ecologically by increasing green space, enhancing carbon storage in the soil, preventing erosion, serving as a water reservoir in the soil, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions (Wahyono et al., 2019).

Health Benefits of Kratom

For centuries, communities have consumed kratom in various forms. Farmers and laborers often chew fresh kratom leaves as a stimulant to combat fatigue and enhance work productivity. In Thailand, kratom is uniquely served as a snack for guests. It is also used in rituals for ancestor and deity worship, earning it the local nickname “the leaves of the gods.” In West Kalimantan, people consume kratom leaves as herbal tea or jamu, whereas in Malaysia, they make kratom juice by mixing it with sweet drinks (Firmansyah et al., 2021).

Kratom is often referred to as the “Heavenly Leaf of Kalimantan.” This name reflects the belief in its medicinal properties, which are thought to boost immunity, increase energy, alleviate depression, stimulate appetite, and enhance sexual desire (Wahyono et al., 2015). It is also regarded as a natural remedy for various ailments, including diarrhea, rheumatism, gout, coughs, fever, worms, malaria, diabetes, hypertension, dysentery, headaches, strokes, cholesterol issues, and wound healing (Veltri and Grundmann, 2019).

Kratom leaves contain over 40 types of beneficial alkaloids, including Mitragynine, 7-hydroxymitragynine, Speciociliatine, Corynantheidine, Speciogynine, Paynantheine, and Mitraphylline. The potential of Mitragynine is being explored as an alternative to Methadone in therapy programs for substance abuse. Research by Meireles et al. (2019) found that extracts and fractions of Mitragyna speciosa, particularly Mitragynine, exhibit analgesic opioid-like properties, similar to those of Methadone. Mitragynine is noted for its superior stability in binding to Mu-Opioid receptors, leading to longer-lasting effects and lower toxicity compared to Methadone.

Economic Value of Kratom

The harvesting cycle of kratom leaves is relatively quick, occurring when the plants are around six months old and approximately 1 meter tall. Farmers pick mature leaves while leaving 4-6 young leaves at the tips. The first harvest yields about 0.5-0.75 kg per tree, with subsequent harvests occurring every 1.5-3 months, usually resulting in a 30% increase in yield (Wahyono et al., 2019).

Kratom leaves are sold at varying prices across the country, depending on the variety and type. They can be processed into herbal teas or jamu and are also available in dried leaf, powder, and capsule forms for export to the United States, Europe, and some Asian countries. Approximately 16 million people in the United States use kratom for health issues. Indonesia is the primary exporter of kratom to the United States, with an average of 400 tons sold at a price of Rp100,000.00 per kilogram (Detik News, 2021).

The presence of kratom as a source of livelihood has transformed various aspects of community life. High demand has led to 70% of rubber farmers and fishermen in 14 districts in Kapuas Hulu switching their livelihoods to kratom farming. There are around 18,120 kratom farmers and 44,491,317 kratom trees cultivated in 23 districts of Kapuas Hulu (Elshinta, 2021). The economic value of kratom has significantly improved the financial capabilities of kratom farmers in meeting their daily needs (Wahyono et al., 2019).

Side Effects

While kratom is valued for its ecological, economic, and health benefits, it can pose health risks and side effects if misused. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported 263 complaints related to negative side effects of kratom, including agitation, hallucinations, insomnia, constipation, liver damage, decreased appetite, drastic weight loss, hyperpigmentation, and even death (Klikdokter, 2021). The CDC attributes 91 deaths in the United States from July 2016 to December 2017 to kratom overdose, with kratom being the only substance detected in toxicology tests, although the CDC has stated that other substances cannot be ruled out. Additionally, there have been cases of infants born with withdrawal symptoms after their mothers consumed kratom (BNN Sangau, 2021).

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) indicates that consuming kratom can lead to addiction or dependence. The side effects of kratom in humans vary based on the dosage consumed. New users may chew only a few leaves daily, while heavy users might chew kratom 3-10 times a day, sometimes exceeding 30 leaves or more. On average, users consume 10-60 leaves daily. At low doses, kratom acts as a stimulant that can enhance concentration, energy, and alertness, whereas at high doses, it produces narcotic effects similar to morphine (BNN Gorontalo, 2021).