The botanical Mitragyna speciosa, commonly referred to as kratom, is a powerful herb used in many traditional cultures. It contains several alkaloids that have been shown to produce analgesic effects and is a powerful mood enhancer. It is also thought to help improve mental health by reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression. Kratom can be consumed in a variety of ways including powder, tablets, capsules, or raw leaves that can be crushed and brewed into a tea. However, kratom extracts are the most potent form of kratom extract available and are widely used by people suffering from pain, opioid withdrawal, or other conditions.
Kratom is a naturally occurring plant that is believed to act on opioid receptors in the brain and nervous system. At low doses, kratom acts as a stimulant to increase energy levels and promote focus. At higher doses, it relieves pain and can cause euphoria and sedation. Traditionally, kratom has been used for pain management in Asian countries and is a popular alternative to prescription opioid medications. Research has also found that a compound in the kratom plant called 7-hydroxymitragynine produces potent analgesic effects but with less uncomfortable side effects than classical opioids like codeine.
In a recent study, researchers tested a series of kratom leaf extracts for their antinociceptive properties. The extracts were compared with a placebo and the results showed that ASE ethanolic leaf extract was significantly more effective than methanol and acetone leaf extracts at producing antinociceptive effects. The kratom extracts were further tested using the MTT assay and analyzed by UHPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS for the presence of bioactive flavonols and indole alkaloids. The ASE ethanolic extract was also determined to be nontoxic to HEK-293 and HeLa Chang liver cells.
While the ASE extraction method is relatively new, it is already becoming a standard in the industry for extracting high-quality kratom. This method utilizes carbon dioxide to separate the alkaloids from the rest of the kratom plant material, which is then processed into usable products such as tinctures and capsules. Unlike other extraction methods, the process is safe and environmentally sustainable.
There are a number of other extraction methods that can be used to create kratom extracts, but each one has its pros and cons. Maceration, Infusion, Percolation, and Decoction are more traditional techniques that use water as a solvent to pull the active compounds from the kratom plant. They can yield a high-quality extract, but they can take time to produce results and may not be as stable as extracts produced by other methods.
While kratom extracts are a powerful herbal remedy, it’s important to start small and work your way up to larger doses. It’s also a good idea to discuss your use of kratom with your doctor if you have any existing medical conditions or are taking any medications. Also, be sure to keep kratom out of the reach of children.