Kratom Tea: How to Sip Responsibly

Kratom tea is one of many forms of kratom, which comes from crushing and drying the leaves of the kratom tree, native to Southeast Asia. The tea has been traditionally used for hundreds of years to combat fatigue and improve productivity.

Kratom tea has gained popularity in recent years for uses including pain relief, management of depression and anxiety, and coping with substance use withdrawal symptoms.

The benefits and side effects of kratom are under debate. Its potential adverse effects have led the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to warn people against using it. However, government organizations such as the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) support research efforts into the potential therapeutic benefits of kratom.

Given limited research and understanding of kratom’s medical uses, it’s best to seek the counsel of a healthcare provider if you’re considering using kratom tea to help with any health or mental health issues. 

This article talks about why people drink kratom tea, the safety and legality of kratom, and how to approach preparing kratom tea at home.

Reasons People Drink Kratom Tea

People drink kratom tea for a variety of reasons. Traditional uses of kratom in Southeast Asia include chewing fresh or dried kratom tree leaves or making them into tea to combat fatigue and improve work productivity. Kratom has also been traditionally used to treat morphine dependence and act as a substitute for opium.

Kratom has gained popularity in Western societies. People cite the following reasons for its use:

• For pain relief
• To manage symptoms of anxiety and depression
• To stop or reduce the use of opioids or other substances
• To manage withdrawal symptoms and cravings associated with opioids or other drugs

Kratom’s opioid- and stimulant-like effects have made it an attractive substance, especially as it can be easily ingested in tea form. Stimulant-like effects include increased energy and alertness, while opioid-like effects include pain relief and relaxation.

Kratom can be taken in a variety of ways, including as a capsule, as a powder mixed into food or drink, or by directly chewing on kratom tree leaves. People may choose to drink kratom tea as opposed to using other forms as it may feel more natural and less like taking a substance. 

Although kratom tea can be casually sipped like any other type of tea, there are still a lot of unknowns about the chemical compounds related to kratom. It’s important to keep in mind that the FDA approves no medical uses of kratom, and several safety concerns have been identified.

Controversy Over Kratom Safety

Debate is ongoing about kratom’s benefits and risks. Users or potential users may underestimate the risks associated with it.

The FDA has stated that there is no evidence showing the safety and efficacy of kratom for medical use and warns against using kratom in any form to self-medicate and treat pain or manage opioid withdrawal symptoms.

However, the FDA, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and NIDA support and conduct research on the potential medicinal uses of kratom and its related chemical compounds as well as potential adverse effects.

Weighing the Benefits vs. Side Effects

Kratom has been used in traditional medicine, and many people have used kratom to self-medicate for anxiety, depression, pain, and substance use disorders.

According to NIDA, animal studies have suggested that kratom has antidepressant and pain-relieving properties, warranting more research. The agency notes research findings that it should be studied as an experimental treatment for substance use disorders, specifically opioid use disorder.

In short, though there may be medical applications for kratom, more research is needed to confirm the potential benefits of kratom in treating certain medical conditions.

While people have used kratom for centuries, including kratom tea, risks are associated with kratom use. Adverse effects of kratom intoxication include:

• Neuropsychiatric symptoms, such as hallucinations, sedation, confusion, agitation, tremors, seizures, and coma
• Cardiovascular symptoms, such as hypertension (high blood pressure) and tachycardia (fast heart rate)
• Digestive symptoms, such as nausea, abdominal pain, and vomiting
• Respiratory symptoms, such as hypoventilation (slow, shallow breathing)
• Liver problems

There is also the risk of becoming dependent on kratom. As with any unregulated substance, the FDA does not regulate kratom processing and sales, and there is a risk of buying kratom that’s been contaminated with harmful substances.

If you purchase kratom tea, be sure to get as much information as possible regarding how it was processed and where it came from. Note that it’s impossible to guarantee the safety of kratom tea leaves, and the short- and long-term safety effects of kratom are not well understood.

In its 2018 statement noting kratom’s potential for abuse, the FDA reported deaths that involved kratom use. Though the World Health Organization (WHO) notes that of the deaths where mitragynine (a compound in kratom) was confirmed, almost all the deaths involved the use of other substances, making kratom’s contribution to these deaths unclear.

If you’re considering using kratom tea for its potential benefits, discuss it with a healthcare provider. It is important to avoid any potentially dangerous drug interactions.

Kratom Plant Facts

Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is a tree native to Southeast Asia. Kratom tree leaves contain two chemical compounds that are known to have psychoactive effects: mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine.

The leaves contain several other chemical compounds, but mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine are the most studied due to their effects on the body and brain.

Kratom leaves are crushed and dried to make kratom tea leaves. The leaves can also be smoked or made into a powder, extract, or capsule.

How to Steep Kratom Tea

You can find countless recipes for kratom tea online. Preparation methods vary depending on whether you’re using kratom tea leaves (loose or in a tea bag), kratom powder, or kratom extract. 

Steeping loose-leaf kratom tea will require hot water, the tea leaves, and either a reusable tea bag or something to strain the tea (such as cheesecloth) if you’re using loose-leaf kratom tea.

Many recipes recommend steeping the tea for 15 to 20 minutes. Flavor enhancers like lemon and honey may also be added to the tea to help mask the bitter taste.

Because much is still unknown about the use of kratom tea, especially regarding routine use, it’s best to talk to a healthcare provider or medical professional from the CAM community to make sure that you follow any recommendations on how much and how often kratom tea should be sipped to avoid any potential adverse effects or dependency.

Where Is Kratom Tea Legal?

Whereas the use and sale of kratom is banned in many countries, kratom products are legal at the federal level in the United States.

However, as of August 2023, it was banned, regulated, or age-restricted in 22 states and the District of Columbia. Since laws are in flux, consumers should research whether kratom is legal where they live.

The FDA asserts that kratom cannot be lawfully marketed as a drug product, dietary supplement, or food additive in the United States.

Despite the legality of kratom tea and the fact that kratom is not a controlled substance in the United States, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has labeled kratom a drug and chemical of concern. Kratom remains on the list of substances under surveillance by the WHO’s Expert Committee on Drug Dependence.

Summary

Kratom tea comes from the leaves of the kratom tree, native to Southeast Asia. Kratom tea traditionally was used to combat fatigue and improve productivity, and in recent years, it has gained popularity for a variety of uses, including the management of pain, anxiety, depression, and substance use disorders.

The FDA has not approved kratom for any medical use and warns against its potential adverse effects. It’s important to talk with a healthcare provider or medical professional who specializes in complementary alternative medicine to ensure that, if you use kratom tea, you use it safely.