The Mitragyna hirsuta It is a plant that has a close relationship with Kratom, which at a scientific level is in fact called Mitragyna speciosa. The place of origin of the two plants is the same: the South East Asia. Unlike its popular “brother” Kratom, a stimulant banned in many places in the world where it is considered a narcotic substance, Mitragyna hirsuta is legal in many countries.

Mitragyna hirsuta contains mitragynine and mitraphylline, two of the main alkaloids contained in Kratom. But since in many countries the specific plant, Kratom itself, is criminalized, and not the alkaloids it contains, you can safely use Mitragyna hirsuta to enjoy the same benefits:

• Relief from physical pain

• Counteracting Anxiety and Depression

• Energizing effect, body activation

• Counteracting the negative effects of opioid withdrawal

• Relax, anti-stress

Mitragyna hirsuta can be used in different ways: the traditional use, typical of the places of origin of the plant, involves the chewing raw leaves, like a kind of chewing gum. In the West it is much more common, also for transport reasons, to find dried or powdered Mitragyna to be used for infusions, decoctions or other preparations.

While Mitragyna hirsuta and Kratom are very similar, they are clearly not identical. Mitragyna hirsuta is better in terms of relaxing power, but has less intense energizing powers. In general, Kratom is more powerful in terms of effects, but as always happens in these cases, it is also more likely to cause addiction. On the contrary, Mitragyna hirsuta, with milder effects, is the favorite of those who want to make a continuous use without becoming addicted.

Mitragyna hirsuta certainly is the most popular alternative to Kratom globally, but it is not the only plant of the "family". In fact, there are other species which have rather similar effects. In particular:

• There Javanese mitragyna, with effects mildly similar to those of opioids.

• There Mitragyna inermis, very rare, mainly useful against digestive disorders.

• There Mitragyna tubular, also rare, similar in effect to Mitragyna hirsuta.

• There Mitragyna parvifolia, less powerful than Kratom and Mitragyna hirsuta but widely used in some areas of the world.

Kratom alternatives are still little known in Italy, where the most famous plant of the family has been declared illegal. It is still the legality is questionable of the variants we have described in this article.