The tropical Kratom tree (Mitrog/na speciosa) is found across Thailand and Malaysia and is
a member of the coffee family of trees.
The leaves of the ffee are a mild stimulant, and were traditionally
chewed by farmers and labourers needing a boost or some light pain relief.
Kratom has a long history of household use. Chewing the fresh leaves is a remedy for stomach
aches or diarrhoea, while others grill kratom leaves and eat them with chilli paste for a pick-me-up
snack. The herb has also used to ease withdrawal from opium addiction.
The drug can be addictive though and those who become addicted to the leaves lose weight and
their facial skin darkens. Withdrawal symptoms are similar to prescription painkillers, including
mood swings and muscle tremors.
Kratom's popularity is rising. A total of 1.23 million people were found to have used or taken
kratom in 2011, compared to 1.08 million in 2008. The highest proportion of users are in the South,
where 282,082 people took kratom in 2011. Arrests for kratom possession rose when seizures of the
drug went up from 13 tonnes in 2008 to 33 tonnes in2012, although this levelled out and 14 tonnes
were confiscated in2013.