Herbal remedies have been a part of health practices for as long as humans have been on earth. Many of the ancient remedies our ancestors used are still being practiced today. With rising healthcare costs and limited access to affordable healthcare, many Americans have sought out natural remedies for minor health conditions.
Herbal remedies, kratom included, can be a beneficial, natural, and affordable solution. However, they must be taken at the right dose and with careful consideration of side effects, potential interactions with other drugs, and the quality of supplements. Kratom can be used alongside other herbal remedies to provide a bespoke and balanced wellness routine.
If you’re curious about what kratom has to offer and how it compares to other traditional herbal remedies, keep reading!
What is Kratom?
Kratom, or Mitragyna Speciosa, the tropical tree native to Southeast Asia, has been used as an herbal remedy for centuries. Kratom leaves were traditionally used in the farm and labor communities of Southeast Asia to improve vitality and stamina. Farmers and other laborers would chew the leaves or brew them into tea to receive the desired effects.
Today, many of the uses for kratom remain the same. But kratom products have evolved, and there is an entire industry dedicated to kratom research and advocacy.
Kratom Uses and Benefits
As kratom’s popularity grows, so does the need for more scientific research on its safety, potential health benefits, uses, and side effects. With limited research and no approved uses by the FDA, most of what we know about kratom’s uses and benefits as an herbal remedy come from user reports.
Please note the information provided below is for information purposes only. As always, if you have any medical concerns or take prescription medication, consult your physician before using kratom products.
Pain Relief
One of the most common uses for kratom, based on user reports, is pain relief. According to a survey conducted by Johns Hopkins Medicine, 91% of 2,798 self-reported kratom users reported using kratom for its pain-relieving qualities. One of the main compounds in kratom, 7-hydroxymitragynine, is reported to ease pain by attaching to key neuroreceptors, much like other powerful analgesic drugs (think morphine or codeine) but without the negative side effects.
Mood Booster
In the same study conducted by Johns Hopkins Medicine, 67% and 64% of users reported using kratom to treat anxiety and depression, respectively. Scientific research has yet to confirm kratom’s efficacy in treating anxiety, depression, or other mood disorders. However, historical and anecdotal uses of kratom, along with preliminary research on how it reacts in the brain, suggest that kratom may have the potential for use as a treatment for some mental health conditions.
Increased Vitality
Another reported benefit of using kratom is increased concentration, alertness, and productivity. This usage dates back to kratom’s beginnings in Southeast Asia. It’s one of the reasons kratom is still popular as an herbal remedy today. Users report that kratom’s focus-enhancing properties are higher when kratom is consumed at a lower dose.
Traditional Herbal Remedies
Herbal medicines are typically made from the roots, leaves, flowers, or fruits of plants. They can have various health benefits and uses. Most herbal remedies have been used for generations, are rooted in ancient societies, and can vary between cultures and geographical areas. Here’s a quick review of some of the most common herbal remedies on the market today and how kratom compares:
Echinacea
Echinacea, a flower from North America, is most often used to treat and prevent the common cold, flu, and other infections.
Ginger
Ginger, a root from Southeast Asia, has been used to treat nausea and motion sickness. It also has anti-inflammatory properties. Ginger is an antioxidant—a substance that prevents cell damage–which is particularly beneficial in preventing cancer, stroke, heart disease, and other signs of aging.
Ginseng
Commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine, ginseng roots can be steeped into tea or crushed into a powder, much like kratom. Ginseng has been reported to boost energy, along with other benefits like reducing inflammation and improving immunity and brain function.
Elderberry
Elderberries are the fruit produced from the Sambucus plant and must be cooked to achieve many health benefits. Elderberries were traditionally used to treat headaches, nerve pain, toothaches, colds, viral infections, and constipation. Today, most elderberry products are marketed to alleviate symptoms of the flu and common cold. Research also suggests that elderberries have antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antiviral properties.
Kava
Kava, or Piper methysticum, a member of the pepper plant family, has been used as a sedative in the Indigenous communities of Australia and the Pacific Islands. Often consumed as a beverage, kava has been used in cultural rituals and ceremonies to help bond communities and communicate with spirits. Today, kava is used to elevate mood. It also produces a feeling of relaxation, as well as to treat anxiety and insomnia.
St. John’s Wort
Though the name may be deceiving, St. John’s Wort is the name for the small yellow flowers of the Hypericum perforatum plant. A popular natural remedy in Europe, St. John’s Wort was historically used to treat insomnia, depression, and various kidney and lung diseases. Today, its most common use is for treating mild to moderate depression.
Turmeric
An herb in the ginger family, you might recognize turmeric as a cooking spice, but it has been used in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine for centuries. Like ginger, turmeric has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Curcumin, the active compound in turmeric, has been shown to be a beneficial treatment for chronic inflammation, pain, metabolic syndrome, and anxiety.
Valerian Root
Popular in ancient Greece and Rome, valerian root was typically prescribed to treat restlessness, tremors, headaches, and heart palpitations. Today, valerian root is commonly used for insomnia and anxiety.
Use of Kratom with Other Herbs
Unlike many other herbal remedies, kratom works on the brain in a slightly different way to achieve its desired results. Kratom’s unique reaction in the brain makes it a great addition to an existing wellness routine that includes other helpful herbal supplements.
To build your health and wellness routine, do your research, ensuring you understand potential side effects and drug interactions. For most herbal remedies, kratom can be an added benefit, even compounding some of the desired results, especially for combinations like kratom and kava, kratom and ginseng, and kratom and valerian root.
Herbal Medicine Safety
Though herbal remedies are natural, they are not regulated like prescription medicine is in the United States, and thus come with their own risks. Herbal supplements are typically used as home remedies to help temporarily treat mild symptoms. However, scientific evidence is often lacking when it comes to their efficacy and safety. Many alleged benefits are based only on user reporting.
Side Effects
Herbal supplements can have side effects, no matter the dosage. It’s best to understand possible reactions before trying any supplement.
Drug Interactions
Herbal supplements can interfere with or react negatively with prescription drugs. If you take any prescription medication, be sure to check with your healthcare provider before adding herbal supplements to your healthcare routine.
Safety
Although derived from plants, herbal supplements may present their own dangers. For example, St. John’s wort can interact dangerously with antidepressants. Raw elderberries are toxic due to the presence of cyanide. Valerian root can increase the effects of sedatives. Some herbal supplements may also be unsafe if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Quality
The quality of herbal supplements is not regulated like prescription drugs, so be vigilant with where you buy supplements. Choose brands that have been certified and tested for quality and purity.
The Kratom Store and Your Wellness Routine
As you build your wellness routine, check out the Kratom Store for all your kratom product needs.
