The Kratom tree, also known as the Red Sentol tree, was first described in 1839 by Pieter Willem Korthals, a botanist with the Dutch East India Company.

It is a deciduous tree that grows to about 3–30 meters in height and is native to Southeast Asia. Its origins lie in Thailand, Malaysia, Myanmar (Burma), and Indonesia. Botanically, Mitragyna speciosa belongs to the Rubiaceae family—making it a relative of coffee. It also shares similarities with cacao, particularly the alkaloid epicatechin, which occurs in both. Synonyms for Kratom include: Krathom (official Thai spelling), Biak, Ketum, Ithang, Kakuam, Biak-Biak, Krton, Mabog, and Mambog. The plant's main alkaloid is Mitragynine, while the fruit’s primary alkaloid is 7-Hydroxy-Speciociliatine. Over 25 alkaloids have been scientifically identified to date.

Scientific Name: Mitragyna speciosa (Korth.) Havil.

Taxonomy:

Natural Growing Conditions:

Mitragyna speciosa grows best in wet, swampy environments with high humidity and rich, nutrient-dense soil. For optimal conditions, Kratom trees should also be protected from strong winds. Especially young trees should not be exposed to intense sunlight for too long. Due to leaf loss in the dry season, the Kratom tree produces even more foliage during the rainy season.

The Leaves:

Kratom leaves are arranged oppositely and consist of a petiole and leaf blade. Petioles range from 2–4 cm in length, while the simple leaf blades can reach lengths of 8.5 to 30 cm and widths of 5–16 cm. There are three main vein types:

• Red vein
• White vein
• Green vein

The difference between these types lies in their varying alkaloid ratios, which can lead to visible color differences in the leaf. The alkaloid content of Kratom leaves varies depending on region and cultivation conditions.

Kratom is available in the following forms: 

• Crushed leaves
• Powdered leaves
• Powdered or resinous extracts