2022

Mitragyna Hirsuta (Latin), also nicknamed Kra Thum Khok by the Asian population, is a tree belonging to the same genus as the popular Mitragyna speciosa, also known as Kratom. M. Hirsuta is similar to this family member in many aspects – appearance, effects, and also the areas of its occurrence. It is found mainly in Asian countries – primarily in Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam.

HISTORY

The tree became popular especially at the time of Kratom’s ban in Thailand in 1943 when locals were looking for a legal alternative. The favorite method of application was to chew fresh leaves in the mouth, the dried leaves were then ground into a powder and used in the form of tea – this method of application is one of the most popular these days.

M. HIRSUTA VS KRATOM

Cousins who have a lot in common, however, are different in some respects.

In appearance, both trees look very similar, but upon closer examination, it can be immediately noticed that the leaves of M. Hirsuta are visibly smaller in size.

However, what will be of most interest to most readers are the differences in the effects of these two plants on the nervous system. Both M. Hirsuta and Kratom contain potent alkaloids that bind to opioid receptors and cause specific effects. However, M. Hirsuta does not contain any of Kratom’s main alkaloids – mitragynine or 7-hydroxymitragynine, which is why the products of this tree may be legal in most countries where Kratom is already banned.

CHEMICAL COMPOSITION AND EFFECTS

The main alkaloid here is mitraphylline, which binds to opioid receptors in the nervous system in a very similar way to the mitragynine alkaloids found in Kratom.

The concentration of mitraphylline in the plant is relatively high, but its effectiveness is significantly weaker compared to the substances contained in Kratom, which is why it is necessary to apply a larger amount of Hirsuta to achieve the desired effects. For this reason, extracts of this plant tend to be available on the internet to make dosing easier.

The effects of Hirsuta are very similar to Kratom – it acts euphorically, relaxes in larger doses, stimulates slightly in lower doses, induces a positive mental state, relieves anxiety, stress and depression, also helps alleviate physical pain.

The alkaloid mitraphylline is also one of the main active ingredients in the Cat’s Claw plant. Research shows that the use of this plant has anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects. Whether these properties can be directly attributed to the alkaloid mitraphylline and thus to M. Hirsuta is not yet entirely clear, and further research is needed.

DOSAGE

Powder from the leaves

Pour 15-20 g of the product over boiling water and let it infuse for 10 minutes, the powder will form a sediment at the bottom, so there is no need to strain and after brewing, the tea can be consumed immediately. The sediment can then be poured in again.

50x extract

0.3 – 0.5 grams of the extract can be applied in any way – prepared in the form of tea, mixed into smoothies, yogurt or other foods, applied in the form of capsules, or put straight into the mouth.