Osterhaus: Natural herb flavors students' day

By Hailey Osterhaus

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Every time I walk outside into freezing temperatures of winter, the cold seems to grab hold of me and slam me right back inside of my apartment where I can thaw my frozen body.

It’s pathetic to see how much time I spend at home on the weekends because of the weather, but I’ve found a solution for my reclusive state, and it’s called Kratom tea.

It seems a little silly, but what I absolutely love to do is stay inside with a couple of friends and drink tea instead of going to a house party where everyone is uncomfortably packed inside trying to stay warm.

But these tea parties that I have don’t consist of crumpets and old British women surrounding a table with gossip stories.

In fact, these parties are nothing like that because after about two strong cups of Kratom tea, one will become very chatty and energetic.

As the consumer’s body loosens up, so does one’s attitude, and then a vibe of euphoria is spread thick over the whole tea party. It’s a positive experience for anyone that drinks it, and I’d drink it over alcohol any day, especially when it’s cold outside.

Depending on the dose, a small amount of Kratom is considered a stimulant, and when high dosages are consumed it is supposed to be sedating.

I’ve read that drinking Kratom actually alleviates opium and pain killer addictions and is also used to cure fevers and headaches. Also, it motivates people to be active and increases energy.

This herb originated in Thailand, and many workers and farmers would use Kratom to strengthen their desire to work. Some workers used it constantly and developed an addiction, but it is highly uncommon for occasional users to become addicted.

Therefore, the possibility of forming a habit of drinking Kratom is very slim.

But just like every good thing, there is a catch to Kratom. It was actually banned in Thailand in 1943.

After it was declared illegal, possessing Kratom and planting Kratom trees was forbidden.

Kratom is also illegal in Malaysia, Burma, and most recently in Australia, but is legal anywhere in the United States, Canada and Europe.

Although it is illegal in some areas of the world, I believe it is a great tea to drink during social occasions.

It’s sold at Persephone’s Journey on Massachusetts Street, which is having a sale for $18 per ounce. Originally, an ounce is $28.

Prices are increasing because of the growing popularity of the tea, but it is definitely worth a try.

After buying the tea, boil water, then pour it over the leaves in a cup. After it steeps, the taste is a bit like an earl grey tea, but better.

This natural herb is a fantastic way to spend a night rather than going out into the cold and waking up the next morning with a horrible hangover. Although it’s a bit more expensive than alcohol, the experience is worth any amount of money.

Thus, have fun with it and drink responsibly.

Osterhaus is a Seneca sophomore in journalism.

Comments

olemissresearch (anonymous) says...

I am not surprised by this article. However, as a researcher studying the effects and chemistry of Kratom, I am amazed at what has been left out of this article. True it is legal in the United States however, it is on the US Drug Enforcement Agency's (DEA) List of Drugs and Chemicals of Concern. More info here: http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/dru...

Extracts of Kratom and decoctions made from it have chemicals that interact with opioid receptors... the same receptors that morphine works on. So, to state that it is not addictive is not scientifically sound or proven. Most likely it will follow the same fate as Salvia divinorum, which has become illegal in several states.

Several scientific studies still need to be completed before understanding the full toxicity and pharmacology of this material. Moreover, there is nothing known about how safe this product is with other medications. We are in the process of publishing a case study of a user of Kratom that had a seizure after a use.

I would be careful... not much is known about this material scientifically.

Christopher R. McCurdy, Ph.D., R.Ph.
Associate Professor of Medicinal Chemistry
Associate Professor of Pharmacology
University of Mississippi

January 23, 2008 at 8:43 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

SimonJester (anonymous) says...

How about we test the toxicity of laundry detergents or vaccinations? I'd rather drink some tea than inject myself with aluminum and formaldehyde.

Why do scientists hate plants?

January 23, 2008 at 3:35 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

concerned_community (anonymous) says...

I was referred to this particular article via a kratom, ethnobotanical, and entheogen forum online. I thought that it would be wrong of me if I did not, on behalf of all of the members of this particular online community, kindly request that you take this article down or make some adjustments to it. If this is not possible, we sincerely hope that you take what is said in this e-mail into consideration; it is the most that we can really ask of you without making demands. We believe that you will, ultimately, realize that you should do what is right regarding any publicity this plant receives.

We do not believe that it is so wise, perhaps, to advertise the effects of kratom as a risk-free recreational activity to college students. Keep in mind that kratom is a Mu opoid antagonist and carries with it all of the associated risks of opiate addiction. Yes, it can help people taper off of opiates for good, but it can also quite easily become abused.

We mean no offense, but please realize that what happened to Salvia divinorum could quite easily happen to Mitragyna speciosa; your article could quite possibly call many people to arms against kratom and only expedite its journey from lesser-known legal botanical to outlawed "drug".

That, as I am certain you must be aware, would be quite horrible to have happen. Kratom shows wonderful potential in treating opiate addiction. If an article that is out in the public, such as yours, catches enough eyes kratom will never have the chance to be explored for its healing potential.

The article that you have written here, we feel, has placed too much spin on and brought too much attention to this plant. You are presenting this plant as an alternative to opiates, prominently advertising its legal issues in other parts of the world, and then recommending it as a wonderful recreational activity to your fellow students.

Please take the time to consider what I have said here on behalf of many others who feel the same. Keep in mind that, if you do not respect kratom to the fullest, it is entirely possible that your academic performance could become jeopardized.

Kindest regards,
Us.

January 24, 2008 at 12:25 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

SimonJester (anonymous) says...

Beer? Check. Freedom of Speech? Check. Kratom? Check. Possibilities that 95% of what I do in college could jeopardize my academic performance? Check. People who know better telling me what to say? Check. Responsibility and Freedom? Double check.

Stir vigorously.

You better chiggity check yourself before you wreck yourself.

January 24, 2008 at 1:23 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

ajm48786 (anonymous) says...

The attention you are bringing to Kratom will make it illegal that much quicker in the United States. Kratom is one of the most benign of substances with addictive properties. Even if it is addictive, what are the health effects? Does it even begin to rival that of legal drugs, such as Nicotine or Alcohol?

Having read as much information about substances as possible over the years, I have concluded Alcohol is roughly the 3rd most dangerous drug in existence, in terms of mind altering drugs.

It is even debatable as to whether or not Alcohol is the MOST dangerous drug known to man. Substances like Heroin/Meth are bad news, they cause much destruction. If you take the time to read their long term health effects, they mostly pale in comparison to Alcohol; yet we stigmatize these drugs and allow one of the most harmful to remain readily available/legal.

It's funny how Americans are independent minded until it is convenient to be otherwise. For instance, many people will point to kratom being illegal in several other countries and justify making it illegal here on that precedent.

If any substance becomes popular here, it becomes illegal. Most Americans don't even seem to realize Alcohol/tobacco are in fact drugs, just as the 100s of illegal ones here. The most important/sad thing is most Americans don't know the majority of the illegal drugs are less harmful than the most popular legal ones here.

I'd prefer we don't draw attention to Kratom. There are no deaths anywhere in the world blamed on Kratom, no overdoses/violence, nothing. It's just addictive. Big deal.

As long as it's legal, people have a better chance of being able to avoid making an addiction worse. When we make these things illegal, people don't care they have to pay more; so they wind up committing more serious crimes to pay for the drug. Also, at least you know what you're going to get (for the most part) when it's legal. I know herbs aren't regulated; but, you're a lot less likely to get some herb laced with whatever if you buy it from a head shop rather than the corner drug dealer.

Do not forget people, we are giving our freedom away allowing the government to tell us which drugs are acceptable and which ones are not. Do not forget, especially in these days, we waste an incredible amount of money trying to fight this un-winnable war that only winds up creating more violence, crime; and a further deterioration of our way of life.

Keep Kratom legal, at least research before you condemn; and if you condemn, please consider as to whether or not you're being a hypocrite if you think Alcohol should be legal instead of Kratom (or whatever else).

Rather than bringing attention to the new herb/drug on the block, we should be bringing attention to the flawed methods we've employed the past century; and use the Prohibition of Alcohol as a precedent to end the War on Drugs.

February 5, 2008 at 1:24 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

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