What Is Kratom? A Plain-Language Botanical Overview
Kratom is one of the most talked-about botanicals in the plant-research community, yet a lot of the information online is confusing or contradictory. This overview explains what kratom actually is, where it comes from, and how it is sold in Canada, in clear, non-technical language.
The Basics
Kratom is the common name for Mitragyna speciosa, a tropical evergreen tree native to Southeast Asia. It grows primarily in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Papua New Guinea. Botanically, it belongs to the Rubiaceae family, the same plant family as coffee.
The part of the plant that gets the most attention is the leaf. Kratom leaves contain a complex profile of naturally occurring compounds called alkaloids, which researchers and botanists study for their structural and chemical properties.
Where Kratom Comes From
Most kratom on the market today is cultivated in
