The wealth and diversity of healing medicinal plants in Thailand is truly staggering but always, always, whenever Thai natural healing is discussed, kratom is up there on the list.
Kratom is indigenous to Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. Botanically known as Mitragyna speciosa, it is a tropical evergreen tree in the coffee family native to Southeast Asia. It's leaves contain a wide range of organic compounds and alkaloids but the most well known of them is mitragynine, which has a morphine like effect in the human body.
Kratom is botanically related to Psychotria Viridis, the Amazonian rain forest plant used as a source of dimethyltryptamine (DMT) in ayahuasca preparation. Traditionally here in the mountains of Northern Thailand, it is chewed as a leaf, brewed as a tea or steeped in cheap rice alcohol. Definitely NOT consumed as a flavour sensation, kratom has a strong, somewhat unpleasant and bitter taste. In the western world, kratom is commonly sold and used in capsule form.
Kratom is commonly used as a stimulant, energy booster and to enhance male sexual performance. It's also widely used as a natural way to begin opioid withdrawal in addiction treatment, since the kratom binds with the brain's opioid receptors. The leaves have been well documented to help control mood swings and to help reduce nausea and vomiting. In the world of biohackers, kratom is also prized for its ability to stimulate and enhance cognitive function.
But kratom has arguably become popular largely as a highly effective natural pain reliever for almost almost all types of pain, particularly neuropathic pain. It is often turned to as a less harmful, more effective pain relief option in end of life care and in chronic disease.
Till now, it has been highly illegal here in Thailand.
The legislation to legalize and regulate the personal use of Kratom was published in the Thai Royal Gazette yesterday, May 26, 2021 and officially becomes enshrined in Thai law in 90 days.
It means that Thai nationals will be able to cultivate 3 plants for personal use. And that licensed Thai businesses will be able to move forward under the new legislation to create kratom based herbal formulas for local use and global export.
It's still unclear how this new law will apply to retired expats or foreign tourists seeking to engage with the local herbal opportunities. But presumably, like cannabis, it will soon be available at a low cost from a licensed Traditional Thai Medicine practitioner.
The Thai government has already confirmed that people currently incarcerated for low level kratom possession offences are likely to be released.
I'm excited as a herbal business owner at the possibilities for the future. Thailand is positioning itself, along with Malaysia, as a global destination for herbal & natural treatment & health care.
Breaking the hold of Big Pharma on our world just a tiny, weeny bit as the global Covid vaccine roll out continues? Dancing around my Thai living room at the thought.
BlissednBlessed
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