With all the legalities that surround kratom, many people are looking for kratom alternatives. This is because many areas across the United States have banned kratom or the active alkaloids within this herb, which are Mitragynine and 7-hydroxy Mitragynine.
Overall, wellness has become a massive factor in many individuals' lives, creating a need for kratom alternatives. This ancient herb is known to provide overall balance support, which is why it has become so popular across the globe.
Health enthusiasts are turning to natural kratom alternatives due to the chemical additives now being found in modern medicine. While most prefer to stick to kratom, an herb they know and love, there are some good alternatives to try. Let’s look at which herbs could serve as an alternative to kratom.
Understanding Kratom Alternatives
When researching kratom alternatives, you will find many anecdotes that provide benefits of kratom.
Before starting any new substance, including natural herbs, you must consult with your general practitioner. They will have a vast understanding of your current and past medical history. Plus, they can only offer advice and recommendations when taking alternative supplements and herbs.
So, when seeking an alternative to kratom, you must know why you want to take this herb. If there are critical beneficial properties, those are the specific alternatives you will want to seek.
You have to understand that all of these alternatives will provide specific aspects that may be close to the active alkaloids in kratom, but none of them offer the same natural properties found in this herb.
Kratom Alternatives
As more studies continue to be conducted on kratom alternatives, there will surely be improvements. A lot about kratom is still not well known because it lacks scientific research. However, based on what is known, here are some kratom alternatives.
The reasons for these kratom alternatives are anecdotal but will come with more research as time goes on. Never start any new supplement or herb without consulting your medical physician. They are the only ones who can give you safe advice on kratom alternatives.
1. Kava
Kava is native to South Pacific Islands. It belongs to the pepper family and has the botanical name of Piper Mehystricum. Kava is a shrub, and the roots are commonly made into a paste. This can be mixed with water or coconut milk. Just like kratom, kava has many antidotal claims not backed up by scientific research.
Kava and kratom both possess different alkaloids. This means that they will interact with the body in different ways. The alkaloids in kratom stimulate the opioid system within the brain. Kava works with the limbic system.
There is more scientific research on the chemistry within kava, and the main ingredients are kavalactones. However, the active ingredients of the plant will vary among the various types of kava plants. It is important to note that the kavalactones in kava will massively be different from the alkaloids in kratom.
Again, with all-natural supplements and herbs, it is advised that you consult your general practitioner before use. They are the only ones who can offer sound advice for these supplements.
2. Mitragyna Hirsuta
Mitragyna Hirsuta is from the same genus as the kratom plant, known as Mitragyna Speciosa. This is a popular kratom alternative because they share similar properties. Hirsuta has smaller leaves than kratom and is known as “kra thum khok” on the street.
M Hirsuta is similar to red vein kratom strains. It contains a high potency level not seen in other kratom alternatives. However, it does not seem to reach the same potency levels offered by red vein kratom. This is why kratom enthusiasts still choose red kratom strains over Mitragyna Hirsuta.
Regarding robust alkaloid content, M Speciosa tends to take the lead. This herb contains high concentrations of Mitragynine and is known to work with the opioid receptors in the brain. M Hirsuta does not have either of the main kratom alkaloids, which include Mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine. Hirsuta is less intense than kratom and is preferred by some.
Mitragyna Hirsuta contains mitraphylline, which includes similar mechanisms in the alkaloids found in kratom. This is why it has been named as a suitable alternative to kratom. It tends to last longer than kratom, which is a bonus for some looking for an alternative herb.
Mitragyna Hisuta became popular in Thailand during the 1940s when kratom was banned. Both herbs lack scientific research, so we are left to only really know user experience, which is not safe advice. Always check with your family physician before taking any new substances to get the most from your natural herbs and supplements.
3. Mitragyna Javanica
Mitragyna Javanica comes from the Kra Thum Na tree native to Southeast Asia. This herb is not as potent as kratom but still tends to be a popular choice among those looking for an alternative herb to kratom.
M Javanica does not have the same active alkaloids that kratom does. It does have a similar compound known as Mitrahavine, which contains large amounts of 3-isoajmalicine. It is a milder alternative to kratom and also became very popular in Thailand during the 1940s when kratom was banned in this area.
Since both herbs lack proper scientific research, most encounters are anecdotal. This means it is only experienced by users without appropriate scientific research. Therefore, you must seek advice from your family physician before trying new substances. Both kratom and Mitragyna Javanica offer support in different ways. So, it will highly depend on the benefits you desire and whether M Javanica is an ideal alternative to kratom.
4. Kanna
Kanna is one of the other kratom alternatives that users tend to turn to. This herb is scientifically known as Sceletium Tortuosum. It is a flowering plant that originates from the Aizoaceae family. This herb is native to South Africa and is different regarding its chemical makeup and comparison to kratom.
The main alkaloids in Kanna are Mesembrine and Mesembrenone. The most appealing aspect of Kanna is that it does not have the legal issues often seen with kratom. This herb is offered without problems and has become known as a good alternative for those who live in areas where kratom has been banned.
5. Sakae Naa
Sakae Naa is derived from the leaves of the Combretum Quadrangulare tree, a plant native to Southeast Asia, much like Kratom. It flourishes in Laos, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Myanmar.
Sakae Naa has been used in white magic. This herb was prevalent in Thailand after the banned of kratom occurred. Both kratom and Sakae Naa contain different chemical makeup, which sets them apart. Sakae Naa contains a flavonoid known as Combretol.
Again, like our other alternatives on this list, there is a huge lack of scientific research on how it interacts in the human body.
6. White Willow Bark
The bark of Salix Alba was so potent that it led to the creation of salicylic acid, with its active compounds refined into a purified crystalline form. This remedy is also used today by the name of aspirin. The primary challenge is that the body develops a tolerance, and aspirin remains one of the most widely used medications worldwide. So, it may not be the most effective alternative to kratom. However, it has been used as an alternative for many centuries.
7. CBD
With the legalization of hemp, the world of hemp-derived products has become more prevalent and is being researched for the first time. CBD has many beneficial properties that are coming to light. All vary and still need more scientific research to provide supporting claims.
However, CBD is widely available and is being looked at as a good alternative to kratom. It does not bear the negative press that comes with kratom and is widely available locally and online. This makes it easier for users to access products and trial them.
CBD offers a lot of wellness support without the high THC levels found in marijuana. For hemp to be legal, it must possess 0.3% or less of delta-9 THC. You must consult your medical physician before starting this alternative, even with CBD.
8. Marijuana
Marijuana is legal in some areas but not all. Because of this, it is probably not the best alternative to kratom because it tends to be illegal in the same areas that kratom is. However, some users have noted using marijuana as an alternative to kratom, so we thought we would add it.
It will all depend on the type of support you are looking for, and if marijuana is one of the best kratom alternatives for that support. However, please be aware that there are many areas where marijuana is illegal and will lead to jail time. So, you must know the laws that surround this alternative and rather or not it is a viable one for you.
9. Guarana
Kratom is native to the coffee plant and is well known for its stimulating properties. So, guarana beans tend to one of the finest kratom alternatives for these types of properties. They have a lot of caffeine. Each bean has twice the amount of caffeine as a coffee bean. Due to this reason, users have to be careful not to become overstimulated by Guarana products.
The good news is that kratom alternatives are widely available and does not come with the negative press seen with kratom.
Oasis Kratom
Oasis Kratom offers a variety of high-quality kratom capsules and powders. However, kratom is not offered in all areas, so we want to provide you with some alternatives if this is the case. We ensure our products undergo lab tests and all quality is measured according to the American Kratom Association GMP regulations. You can check our website and ask us if you have any questions about our products.