Baking and Brewing With Botanicals

Baking and Brewing With Our Popular Botanicals

We sell a lot more than kratom! Take a look at our other popular botanicals that can be used for brewing delicious herbal teas and making healthy snacks and smoothies. Here are a few recipes you can try but feel free to get creative and add these herbs and spices to a variety of meals, snacks, smoothies and teas.

Cacao Powder

Cacao has more than 40 times the antioxidants of blueberries and more calcium than cow’s milk. It’s also the highest plant-based provider of iron. People commonly consume cacao to help with issues such as depression, stress, blood pressure and heart health. 

Research has shown that cacao can help reduce risk of cardiovascular disease. Cocoa flavanols have been shown to exert anti-inflammatory action, improve blood flow, and decrease blood pressure and platelet aggregation.

Hot Chocolate, Smoothies, Baked Goods

The uses for cacao powder are nearly limitless. One of the most popular uses for cacao powder is in the making of homemade hot chocolate! Simply mix the powder with warm milk and add sweetener to taste. If you’re trying to go easy on the sugar, you can sweeten it with raw honey or Stevia. Add a little cayenne pepper for Mayan hot chocolate. 

Add cacao powder to smoothies and yogurt. Incorporate it into baked goods or mix it into your pancake batter!

Mayan Hot Chocolate Recipe

Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons cacao powder
• a pinch of cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 cup of milk or almond or coconut milk
• sweetener (sugar, honey, Stevia)

Directions:

• gently warm milk on stovetop
• mix the cacao, cayenne and cinnamon together in a mug
• pour the warm milk over the powder mixture
• add sweetener to taste

Overnight Chocolate Chia Pudding

• 1/4 cup cacao powder
• 3-5 tablespoons maple syrup or honey to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 pinch sea salt
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups milk or unsweetened nut milk
• 1/2 cup chia seeds

Directions

• In a mixing bowl add cacao powder, maple syrup, cinnamon, salt, and vanilla and whisk together. Next, slowly add part of the milk and keep whisking until a paste forms. Then add the rest of the milk and whisk until smooth.
• Add chia seeds and stir to combine. Cover and refrigerate overnight, or at least 3-5 hours (until it becomes a pudding texture). 
• Serve chilled with desired toppings such as chopped nuts, shredded coconut or whipped cream.

Ceylon Cinnamon

Cinnamon is a superfood loaded with powerful antioxidants. Traditionally, the spice has been used to help with bronchitis and upset stomach. Ceylon cinnamon is considered by culinarians to be of superior quality. 

Sprinkle ceylon cinnamon on your oatmeal or pancakes, or add it to any recipe that calls for cinnamon. You can also add it to your kratom as it is a strong potentiator.

Apple Cinnamon Smoothie Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 frozen banana
• 1/2 medium apple, chopped
• 2 tablespoons old fashioned oats
• 1 tablespoon almond butter (optional)
• 1 cup milk or plain yogurt
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon

Directions:

• Mix the ingredients in a blender until creamy.
• Top with granola, diced apples and/or a pinch of cinnamon

Turmeric 

Turmeric has powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Research has shown that curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, can benefit inflammation, pain, metabolic syndrome, and help in the management of inflammatory and degenerative eye conditions. Turmeric is commonly used as a flavoring agent in many Asian cuisines, especially in curries. Turmeric powder has a warm, bitter, black pepper-like flavor and earthy, mustard-like aroma. 

Apple Cider Turmeric Detox Drink

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice, freshly squeezed
• 1/4 teaspoon turmeric
• 1 cup warm water
• 1/2 tablespoon pure maple syrup or raw honey
• pinch of cayenne pepper powder

Directions:

• Mix lemon juice, vinegar, turmeric, cayenne pepper and sweetener in a mug
• pour warm water on top of the ingredients and mix

Organic Moringa

Moringa is an extremely nutritious plant known for its high levels of antioxidants, anti-inflammatory qualities and protein. Moringa is packed with nutrients shown to slow down the aging process, reduce stress, promote healthier skin and bone health and lower cholesterol levels. People consume moringa to lower blood pressure, reduce inflammation and improve heart health. Adding moringa to a daily smoothie is a great way to get your greens for the day.

Tropical Moringa Smoothie

• 1 banana
• ½ cup frozen mango chunks
• ½ cup frozen pineapple chunks
• handful of kale
• 1 cup coconut water
• 1 tablespoon moringa powder

Herbal Teas: Passion Flower, Marshmallow Root, Holy Basil, Damiana, Blue Lotus Flower, Hibiscus Flower

Passion Flower

Many people use passion flower to help ease insomnia, anxiety or restlessness. Native Americans used the herb as a medicine to treat a variety of health conditions, including wounds, boils, earaches, and liver problems. The herb is also excellent for foot soaks, bath blends and facial masks as it contains many antioxidants, including vitamin C and lycopene, that help neutralize damaging free radicals. Passion flower has been shown to help reduce spasms and relax the central nervous system. Brew passion flower into an herbal tea or incorporate it into a homemade face or body scrub.

Marshmallow Root

Marshmallow root has been used in herbalism and as an ornamental plant for centuries. A confection made from the root since ancient Egyptian times evolved into today’s marshmallow treat, but most modern marshmallow treats no longer contain any marshmallow root. Traditionally, people have used  marshmallow root for digestive problems, cough and skin conditions such as eczema. Marshmallow root is an excellent addition to herbal tea concoctions.

Organic Holy Basil (Tulsi)

Holy basil is an Ayurvedic plant widely used as an herbal tea or taken in supplement form. Holy basil has antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties. Many people consume holy basil as a stress reliever. 

Hundreds of scientific studies in vitro, animal and human experiments have shown that holy basil exerts a unique combination of actions that include antimicrobial, anti-diarrheal, antioxidant, anticataract, anti-inflammatory, neuro-protective, cardio-protective, anti-diabetic, memory enhancement, anti-asthmatic, anti-arthritic, adaptogenic and anti-stress activities.

Damiana

Damiana is commonly used to enhance sexual health and decrease anxiety. The herb has been used to treat headaches, depression, nervous stomach, and constipation and to boost mental and physical stamina.

Fresh Botanical Tea 

Directions (This method can be used to make passion flower, marshmallow root, holy basil, blue lotus, hibiscus and/or damiana tea):

• Pour hot water over loose leaf tea and let steep
• Sweeten with honey or other sweetener (optional)
• Add milk or preferred nut milk (optional)
• Add fresh lemon juice (optional)
• Pour over ice if you prefer iced tea

 

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Kratom’s Role in Indonesia’s Environment and Economy

Kratom’s Role in Indonesia’s Environment and Economy

Indonesia provides around 95% of the world’s kratom with most of the product being shipped to the United States with an estimated 2 to 4 million kratom consumers. Kapuas Hulu in the West Kalimantan province is the main hub for kratom production, generating U.S. $13 million per year. The region has several kratom plantations that are fertilized by the seasonal floods of the Kapuas River. 

In a 2018 Bloomberg report, the Indonesia Kratom Entrepreneurs Association reported that Pontianak, a city 350 miles west of Kapuas Hulu, exported around 400 tons of kratom a month in 2017.

Kratom has dramatically increased the quality of life for rural farmers in Kapuas Hulu and given the area’s economy a much needed boost. Many farmers have stopped farming cash crops such as palm oil and rubber in favor of growing kratom which is far more profitable and sustainable. 

How Does Kratom Farming Affect the Environment?

The Indonesian rainforests are home to a wide variety of animals and indigenous communities that live in the forest and depend on sustainable farming practices to survive.

Farming kratom is much better for the environment than other cash crops commonly harvested in tropical areas, such as palm oil and rubber. It is well-known that palm oil has a terrible environmental impact on the rainforests and the orangutans who live there. Palm oil plantations, which take up more than 27 million hectares and produce 66 million tons of oil per year, are cleared by bulldozing or burning down the rainforest.

Rubber is made from latex, a milky liquid that drips out of a rainforest tree — similar to the sap used to make maple syrup. It is used in making auto tires, shoes, surgical gloves, sports equipment, sportswear, and as an additive for other chemicals and many other products.

Tropical forests in Southeast Asia are being cleared for rubber plantations, putting endangered birds, bats and primates at risk. By 2024, up to 8.5 million hectares of new rubber plantations will be needed to meet the demand for rubber, report UK researchers in the scientific journal Conservation Letters. One review found that the numbers of bird, bat and beetle species can decline by up to 75% in forests that have been converted to rubber.

In contrast, kratom can be grown without any damage to the tree or surrounding area, thus allowing for greater rainforest preservation.

From Tree to Tea: How is Kratom Produced?

How is kratom produced? Is it made in a high-tech greenhouse or a lab? Actually, not much has changed over the centuries when it comes to kratom farming practices. You’ll be happy to know that kratom is naturally and organically cultivated and produced from the leaves of kratom trees which are picked, washed, ground up and dried.

In the Beginning

For millennia, the local people of Southeast Asia have been cultivating the kratom tree to benefit from its medicinal and recreational properties. The earliest known reports of kratom consumption in Malaysia is 1836. Kratom belongs to the Rubiaceae family, which includes coffee and gardenia plants. These towering evergreen trees with their large glossy leaves are quite impressive and can reach up to 80 feet or more. 

Kratom trees grow naturally throughout the jungles of Indonesia, Thailand, Papua New Guinea and Malaysia but are also planted by kratom farmers for cultivation on private land. These trees require a tropical climate and are very sensitive to frost and drought.

Traditional Use/ Ethnobotany

Kratom has been used for various purposes in Southeast Asia for centuries, including as a household remedy for various ailments, as a recreational drink (primarily among men), and in some Thai villages, it was used as part of religious ceremonies. Farmers, fishermen and other manual laborers in Southeast Asia would also chew the fresh or dried leaves to combat fatigue and improve work productivity. The leaves could also be smoked or brewed or steeped into tea.

In traditional use, rural populations would ingest kratom leaves to treat common medical problems, such as diarrhea, fever, cough, anxiety and pain and even used it as a wound poultice. It is still popular in Asian village communities during social gatherings. 

Protecting Kratom Farming in Indonesia

Currently, the Indonesian government allows the growing and harvesting of kratom for export, although local sales and distribution are illegal. In June 2019, however, Indonesia’s Minister of Health proposed a potential kratom ban that could become effective in 2024. According to the government, this would allow farmers 5 years to transition their livelihood away from kratom and toward other crops. 

If the law comes to pass, it will harm both the economy and the environment as these farmers would likely have to go back to farming rainforest-destroying products such as rubber and palm oil.

In an Indonesian news report stating that the government was considering a ban on growing and exporting kratom, a kratom leaf farmer from Bunut Hilir Subdistrict, Syaparudin, is quoted as saying (translation) “Of course for us it is very unfortunate. Because purik [kratom] leaves are a livelihood after rubber latex, which is cheap.” According to Syaparudin, the government is expected to reconsider the proposed ban. 

“Honestly, this is our hope as a society to fulfill our daily life and pay for our children to go to school and college,” he said.

Another kratom leaf farmer named Ahlan from Jongjong District had similar sentiments. He stated (translation) in the article “Kratom leaves have become our hope to meet family needs.”

Potential Effects on the U.S.

Indonesia’s massive production of kratom — and its legality — is important to countries such as the U.S. where the demand is strong and growing for both personal use and business investments. An increasing number of business owners are opening kava bars and online shops and some are adding it to their smoke shops and other small businesses. In turn, the higher exportation rate further boosts the production rate. Only time will tell if the proposed ban will be enacted or repealed. 

American Consumers

Americans make up the large majority of kratom consumers worldwide. According to the American Kratom Association, “nearly 5 million Americans consume kratom as a part of their health and well-being regimen and have done so for decades.” Some data suggests there could be up to 15 million kratom consumers in the U.S. Surveys reveal that kratom users are educated, middle-income, employed and have health insurance, according to the AKA.

 

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The Wide World of Ethnobotanicals

Botanicals

Siesta Botanicals carries several botanicals that have been shown to offer a wide variety of benefits including stress relief, improved concentration and energy levels.

Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), also known as Indian ginseng or winter cherry, is an ancient Ayurvedic herb. It belongs to a class of medicinal herbs known as adaptogens and has been used for more than 3,000 years to help reduce stress, improve stamina and increase concentration levels. Many of ashwagandha’s health benefits are attributed to its high levels of withanolides, hormone precursors that can convert into human physiological hormones to help bring balance to the body. Studies have shown that ashwagandha can help improve sleep and reduce stress. In one review, published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, ashwagandha was shown to outperform psychotherapy by reducing anxiety in a group of subjects by 56.5% compared to only 30.5% in the psychotherapy group.

Damiana

Damiana (Turnera diffusa) hails from a small, woody shrub in the passifloraceae family that produces small, aromatic flowers. Damiana is commonly used to enhance sexual health and decrease anxiety. It is also popularly used in Mexico to make a liqueur which is then used as a substitute for Curaçao triple sec, is a type of strong, sweet and colorless orange-flavored liqueur. In 2013, we had the pleasure of visiting plantations to study the cultivation & reverance of this plant.

Marshmallow Root

Marshmallow root (Althaea officinalis) is a perennial species indigenous to Europe, Western Asia, and North Africa where it has been used in herbalism and as an ornamental plant for centuries. A confection made from the root since ancient Egyptian times evolved into today’s marshmallow treat, but most modern marshmallow treats no longer contain any marshmallow root. Traditionally, people have used  marshmallow root for digestive problems, cough and skin conditions such as eczema. In one study, published in the journal Pharmaceutical Biology, researchers found that marshmallow root helped with lipemia, inflammation and gastric ulcer in rats with no observed negative effects.

Organic Cacao

Cacao beans (Theobroma Cacao), a highly nutritious superfood, grow on trees in Central and South America. Dry cacao solids are the components of cocoa beans that remain after the cocoa butter (the fat component) has been extracted from chocolate liquor (roasted cocoa beans that have been ground into a liquid state). Raw organic cacao has more than 40 times the antioxidants than blueberries and more calcium than cow’s milk. It’s also the highest plant-based provider of iron. People commonly consume cacao to help with issues such as depression, stress, blood pressure and heart health. Research has shown that cacao can help reduce risk of cardiovascular disease. For example, cocoa flavanols have been shown to exert anti-inflammatory action, improve blood flow, and decrease blood pressure and platelet aggregation.

Organic Ceylon Cinnamon

Ceylon cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum), also known as true cinnamon, is a small evergreen tree belonging to the family Lauraceae, native to Sri Lanka. Traditionally, cinnamon has been used to help with bronchitis and upset stomach. It is considered a superfood and loaded with powerful antioxidants. Although the inner bark of several other Cinnamomum species is also used to make cinnamon, cinnamon from C. verum is considered by culinarians to be of superior quality.

Organic Holy Basil (Tulsi)

Holy basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum), or Tulsi, is an aromatic perennial plant in the family Lamiaceae. It is native to the Indian subcontinent and widespread as a cultivated plant throughout the Southeast Asian tropics. Tulsi is cultivated for religious and traditional medicine purposes, and for its essential oil. It is widely used as an herbal tea, commonly used in Ayurveda, and has a place within the Vaishnava tradition of Hinduism, in which devotees perform worship involving holy basil plants or leaves. Many people consume holy basil as a stress reliever. Holy basil has antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties.

Hundreds of scientific studies in vitro, animal and human experiments have shown that tulsi exerts a unique combination of actions that include antimicrobial, anti-diarrheal, antioxidant, anticataract, anti-inflammatory, neuro-protective, cardio-protective, anti-diabetic, memory enhancement, anti-asthmatic, anti-arthritic, adaptogenic and anti-stress activities.

Organic Moringa

Moringa oleifera (Moringaceae) is a fast-growing, drought-resistant tree of the family Moringaceae, native to the Indian subcontinent. Common names include moringa, drumstick tree, horseradish tree, and ben oil tree or benzolive tree. The flowers are fragrant and hermaphroditic, surrounded by five unequal, thinly-veined, yellowish-white petals. Moringa is an extremely nutritious plant known for its high levels of antioxidants. People consume moringa to lower blood pressure, reduce inflammation and improve heart health.

Turmeric 

Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is a flowering plant of the ginger family Zingiberaceae. The plant is a perennial, rhizomatous, herbaceous plant native to the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia and has a long history of use in traditional medicine. The rhizomes are used fresh or boiled in water and dried, after which they are ground into a deep orange-yellow powder commonly used as a coloring and flavoring agent in many Asian cuisines, especially for curries, as well as for dyeing. Turmeric powder has a warm, bitter, black pepper-like flavor and earthy, mustard-like aroma. Turmeric has powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Research has shown that curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, can benefit inflammation, pain, metabolic syndrome, and help in the management of inflammatory and degenerative eye conditions.

Reishi Mushroom

Reishi mushroom (Ganoderma lingzhi) is a polypore fungus belonging to the genus Ganoderma. Its red-varnished, kidney-shaped cap and peripherally inserted stem gives it a distinct fan-like appearance. Reishi mushrooms are full of antioxidants and are a powerful immune system booster. Research in cancer patients has found that some of the molecules in Reishi mushrooms can increase the activity of helpful white blood cells known as natural killer cells.

Yerba Mate

Yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) is an evergreen tree that is a member of the holly family from the tropics of northern Argentina’s beautiful Corrientes and Misiones provinces. Wildly popular in South America, Yerba-maté is brewed into a tea from its ground dried leaves & stemlets. In 2013, we had the pleasure of visiting plantations to study the cultivation and reverence of this plant. Yerba contains caffeine and is often used as a substitute for coffee.

 

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The Move Toward Plant Medicine and Herbs

The Move Toward Plant Medicine and Herbs

Interest in plant medicine has grown exponentially in the last decade. People are discovering the health benefits and stress-relieving qualities of traditional herbs, and as a result, many have moved away from more dangerous substances such as alcohol. 

The U.S. Has a Substance Abuse Problem

• Approximately 19.7 million American adults (age 12 and older) struggled with a substance use disorder in 2017, according to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH).
• Nearly 74% of adults with a substance use disorder in 2017 struggled with an alcohol use disorder.
• About 38% of adults in 2017 battled an illicit drug use disorder.
• That same year, 1 in 8 adults struggled with both alcohol and drug use disorders simultaneously.
• In 2017, 8.5 million American adults suffered from both a mental health disorder and a substance use disorder, or co-occurring disorders.
• Drug abuse and addiction cost American society more than $740 billion annually in lost workplace productivity, healthcare expenses, and crime-related costs.

Statistics are from the American Addiction Centers.

Traditional Plant Medicine

For centuries, indigenous cultures around the world have been using plant-based medicines for healing, recreational and ceremonial purposes. In fact, kratom, indigenous to Thailand and its surrounding countries in Southeast Asia, has been used for millennia in traditional medicine and in social and religious contexts. 

Kratom was used as a household remedy for various ailments, as a recreational drink (primarily among men), and in some Thai villages, it was consumed during religious ceremonies. Farmers, fishermen and other manual laborers in Southeast Asia would also chew the fresh or dried leaves to combat fatigue and improve work productivity. The leaves could also be smoked or brewed or steeped into tea.

Rural populations would ingest kratom leaves to treat common medical problems, such as diarrhea, fever, cough, anxiety and pain and even used it as a wound poultice. Kratom is still popular in Asian village communities during social gatherings. 

Unlike drug or alcohol users in these villages, kratom users, particularly males, haven’t faced any stigma. This is because kratom is widely accepted in these areas as an aid for hard work to support one’s family. In fact, village kratom users are typically seen as hard-working individuals, while those who consume alcohol, cannabis or tobacco have experienced a certain level of stigma.

Renewed Interest in Plant Medicine

In the 1960s, psychedelics, including plant-based hallucinogens such as psilocybin (magic mushrooms) were gaining interest among Western researchers as a possible way to address mental health issues and substance abuse. During this time, researchers published more than 1,000 scientific papers demonstrating the potential of these substances. Soon after, however, political and social backlash halted psychedelic research in the U.S.

Today, there is renewed interest and support for the widely experienced benefits of herbal medicines and plant alternatives. Kratom is experiencing increasing popularity and public support and now cannabis has become legal, at least for medicinal purposes, in most states. In addition, during guided sessions or healing ceremonies, many people are using natural substances such as magic mushrooms, ayahuasca and peyote cacti to address previous trauma and mental health issues.

Kratom/ Kava Bars Help Promote the Sober Life

Kratom/kava bars allow people to mingle and relax while remaining completely sober. And as a natural extension, many of these bars have sprouted friendly communities of like-minded people. 

For many, the mood-boosting and stress-reducing effects of kratom are quite conducive to social interaction without all the messiness and regrets of alcohol. Kratom/ kava bars are typically set up like alcohol bars, but instead of beer and hard liquor, you are given a wide variety of botanical teas, kava concoctions and coffee drinks that won’t leave you with a painful hangover in the morning. Most likely, you can have your choice of either white (stimulating), green (mildly euphoric) or red (relaxing) kratom. Many of these bars open early and don’t close until late at night.

Ayurveda Medicine

Ayurveda, an ancient Indian system of natural medicine, is also enjoying new interest in the West. The practice is based on the concept that disease is caused by an imbalance in a person’s overall being. Ayurvedic practitioners offer natural therapies and interventions to help patients regain balance within the body, mind, spirit and environment. 

Herbs are used extensively in Ayurvedic treatment. Siesta Botanicals offers three botanicals commonly used in Ayurveda including ashwagandha, holy basil (tulsi) and the spice turmeric.

Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), also known as Indian ginseng or winter cherry, belongs to a class of medicinal herbs known as adaptogens and has been used for more than 3,000 years to help reduce stress, improve stamina and increase concentration levels. Many of ashwagandha’s health benefits are attributed to its high levels of withanolides, hormone precursors that can convert into human physiological hormones to help bring balance to the body. 

Studies have shown that ashwagandha can help improve sleep and reduce stress. In one review, published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, ashwagandha was shown to outperform psychotherapy by reducing anxiety in a group of subjects by 56.5% compared to only 30.5% in the psychotherapy group.

Organic Holy Basil (Tulsi)

Holy basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum), or tulsi, is an aromatic perennial plant in the family Lamiaceae. It is native to the Indian subcontinent and widespread as a cultivated plant throughout the Southeast Asian tropics. Tulsi is cultivated for religious and traditional medicine purposes, and for its essential oil. It is widely used as an herbal tea and has a place within the Vaishnava tradition of Hinduism, in which devotees perform worship involving holy basil plants or leaves. Many people consume holy basil as a stress reliever. Holy basil has antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties.

Hundreds of scientific studies in vitro, animal and human experiments have shown that tulsi exerts a unique combination of actions that include antimicrobial, anti-diarrheal, antioxidant, anticataract, anti-inflammatory, neuro-protective, cardio-protective, anti-diabetic, memory enhancement, anti-asthmatic, anti-arthritic, adaptogenic and anti-stress activities.

Turmeric 

Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is a flowering plant of the ginger family Zingiberaceae. The plant is a perennial, rhizomatous, herbaceous plant native to the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia and has a long history of use in traditional medicine. The rhizomes are used fresh or boiled in water and dried, after which they are ground into a deep orange-yellow powder commonly used as a coloring and flavoring agent in many Asian cuisines, especially for curries, as well as for dyeing. Turmeric powder has a warm, bitter, black pepper-like flavor and earthy, mustard-like aroma. Turmeric has powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Research has shown that curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, can benefit inflammation, pain, metabolic syndrome, and help in the management of inflammatory and degenerative eye conditions.

 

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Johns Hopkins University Kratom User Survey

2020 Johns Hopkins Kratom User Survey

Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers released the findings of an anonymous online survey of more than 2,700 self-reported kratom consumers. Overall, the results suggest that kratom should be studied and regulated rather than banned and that the active compound in kratom has a lower rate of harm than prescription opioids in the treatment of pain, anxiety, depression and addiction. 

The study “Kratom (Mitragyna Speciosa): User demographics, use patterns, and implications for the opioid epidemic” is published in the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence.

The study results have significant implications, because in 2016, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) proposed banning the commercial sale and use of kratom, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advised categorizing it as a Schedule I drug, meaning it has no proven medical application and has a high risk of abuse. 

These proposals were met with significant public outcry and supplemental industry pushback, and no action was taken.

The research team states that kratom is neither regulated nor approved by the FDA and that scientific studies have not been conducted to officially establish safety and benefits. In addition, they say that U.S. drug agencies should seek to research and regulate rather than ban kratom sales as it appears to have safe therapeutic potential and may potentially be used as an alternative to opioid abuse.

Albert Garcia-Romeu, Ph.D., instructor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, says the new survey findings “suggest that kratom doesn’t belong in the category of a Schedule I drug, because there seems to be relatively low rate of abuse potential, and there may be medical applications to explore, including as a possible treatment for pain and opioid use disorder.”

“There has been a bit of fearmongering,” he adds, “because kratom is opioidlike, and because of the toll of our current opioid epidemic.”

Survey Findings

For the survey, the researchers recruited participants online and through social media, as well as through the American Kratom Association (AKA). Overall, users were mostly white, educated and middle-aged, and 97% were located in the United States. 

Kratom was primarily taken orally in doses of 1-3 grams (49 % of respondents), with daily use (59 %) being most common. Kratom was used for pain (91% of respondents), anxiety (67 %), and depression (65 %), with high ratings of effectiveness.

Approximately 61% of users were women, and 90% were white. About 6% reported being multiracial, 1.5% reported being Native American or Hawaiian, 0.5% reported being Asian and 0.4% said they were African American. Participants were an average age of 40. About 84% of respondents reported having at least some college education.

Of the survey participants, 91% reported taking kratom to alleviate pain on average a couple times a day for back, shoulder and knee pain; 67% took kratom for anxiety and 65% for depression. 

About 41% of survey respondents reported using kratom to treat opioid withdrawal, and of those people who took it for opioid withdrawal, 35% reported going more than a year without taking prescription opioids or heroin. 

As part of the survey, the survey participants completed a Substance Use Disorder Symptom checklist to see whether their kratom use qualified as a substance use disorder according to the American Psychiatric Association Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition guidelines. Less than 3% of responses met the criteria for moderate or severe substance use disorder for abusing kratom.

Factors Supporting Why Kratom Should Be Legal and Regulated

“Both prescription and illicit opioids carry the risk of lethal overdose as evidenced by the more than 47,000 opioid overdose deaths in the U.S. in 2017,” says Garcia-Romeu. “Notably there’s been fewer than 100 kratom-related deaths reported in a comparable period, and most of these involved mixing with other drugs or in combination with preexisting health conditions.”

About a third of the participants reported having mild unpleasant side effects from kratom, such as constipation, upset stomach or lethargy, which mostly resolved within a day. 

Only 1.9% reported that side effects were severe enough for them to seek medical treatment. These effects included feeling withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, irritability, depression or insomnia when the kratom wore off. 

When asked how troubled they felt regarding their kratom use, the mean rating was 3.2 on a scale from 0 to 100.

“Although our findings show kratom to be relatively safe according to these self-reports, unregulated medicinal supplements raise concerns with respect to contamination or higher doses of the active chemicals, which could increase negative side effects and harmful responses,” says Garcia-Romeu. 

“This is why we advocate for the FDA to regulate kratom, which would require testing for impurities and maintaining safe levels of the active chemicals. Otherwise, unregulated products run the risk of unsafe additives and dosing problems, which could be like getting a shot of grain alcohol when you were trying to order a beer.”

Siesta Botanicals Testing

As with any organically-grown plant, kratom is susceptible to contaminants that may be present in the soil, water and air. However, contaminants and unsafe additives aren’t a problem with our kratom. All kratom from Siesta Botanicals is thoroughly tested for potential contaminants, including heavy metals and bacteria. In particular, a third party lab tests our kratom for lead, arsenic, cadmium, mercury, E.coli and salmonella. 

In addition, before we even began selling kratom, the owners of Siesta Botanicals made the journey to Indonesia to personally inspect our facilities and farms to observe their growing, harvesting and storing practices. They were able to witness firsthand the quality of the product before purchasing anything to sell directly to the customer. As an added bonus, Daniel, one of the owners of Siesta Botanicals, is also certified in quality management for government contracting. 

According to the American Kratom Association (AKA), when the FDA began focusing on the adverse events and deaths they had alleged to be linked to kratom, as well as on the contaminants and adulterants that were present in some kratom products, the AKA created the Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) standards program that asked vendors to voluntarily adhere to the GMP standards for food and dietary ingredient products. 

“This has been welcomed as a powerfully positive step by many elected officials, public health officials, and policy makers at all levels of government. It clearly demonstrates the kratom industry is both willing and capable of self-regulation and condemns the kratom manufacturers to fail to use GMPs or who deliberately adulterate their products for profit.” The American Kratom Association

 

 

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Do We Test Our Kratom for Contaminants?

Yes. As with any organically-grown plant, kratom is susceptible to contaminants that may be present in the soil, water, and air. All kratom from Siesta Botanicals is thoroughly tested for potential contaminants, including heavy metals and bacteria. In particular, a third party lab tests our kratom for lead, arsenic, cadmium, mercury, E.coli, and salmonella. 

But let’s rewind a bit. Before we even began selling kratom, the owners of Siesta Botanicals made the journey to Indonesia to personally inspect our facilities and farms to observe their growing, harvesting and storing practices. They were able to witness firsthand the quality of the product before purchasing anything to sell directly to the customer. As an added bonus, Daniel, one of the owners of Siesta Botanicals, is also certified in quality management for government contracting. 

What Do We Test For And Why?

All of our kratom is tested for heavy metals lead, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury. In high amounts — or in smaller amounts over a long period of time — consumption of these metals can cause all kinds of health and neurological problems. We also test for the bacteria E. coli and salmonella which can both cause immediate severe illness. These two types of bacteria are quite common as we all remember lettuce or ground beef being recalled due to contamination. 

Here is some more information on these contaminants and how they can get into our crops: 

Lead Testing

Lead is a naturally occurring heavy metal that, if present in the soil, can be absorbed by plants. Lead cannot be removed by washing the plants or by any other processing means. While lead makes up only about 0.0013 percent of the Earth’s crust, it was used in many products and construction (paint, gasoline, water pipes, and soldering) up until the mid-20th-century before we became aware of its adverse health effects. 

Since lead does not degrade from the environment and can build up over time, low levels of lead can still be detected in soil, plants, the air, and water due to a build-up or leaching in the environment.

Arsenic Testing

Arsenic is another naturally occurring element, so it’s not possible to remove it completely from the environment. While arsenic levels in the soil are generally low, some geographic areas contain higher amounts than others, including regions with more volcanic activity. This is because volcanic eruptions can bring arsenic from the depths of the earth to the surface. In addition, fracking, mining, arsenic pesticides (quite common in the early 20th century and finally banned in the 1980s), and arsenic-treated lumber also contribute to more arsenic contamination in certain areas. 

Plants and crops can absorb arsenic through the soil, water, or air. Rice, in particular, tends to absorb more arsenic than other crops do, and since many young children consume large amounts of rice cereal, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has started ensuring that infant rice cereal stays under 100 parts per billion (ppb) for inorganic arsenic. 

Mercury Testing

Mercury is also a naturally-occurring element found in rocks, including coal. Mercury is emitted into the air from the weathering of rocks and soil, the burning of fossil fuels or medical waste, forest fires, volcanoes, and the evaporation of ocean water. Mercury can remain in the environment for long periods of time by cycling back and forth between the air and soil. 

Power plants that burn coal for electricity are the biggest source of emissions, accounting for about 42% of man-made mercury emissions, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s 2014 National Emissions Inventory report. 

Fish and shellfish are the primary contributors to mercury exposure in humans. Consuming large amounts of mercury-contaminated seafood can cause neurological damage.

Cadmium Testing

Cadmium is a rare but widely-dispersed naturally-occurring element. It often occurs with zinc. Cadmium can be released into the environment through phosphate fertilizers, the burning of fossil fuels, mining and smelting, and other industrial processes. It can then be absorbed by plants from contaminated soil or water. Cadmium enters the soil by rain or falling out of the air. It can then be absorbed by plants. Certain plants, including tobacco, rice, and potatoes absorb cadmium more vigorously than they do other heavy metals such as lead and mercury.

E. Coli Testing

E. coli bacteria live in the intestines of humans and some animals. While most E. Coli is harmless and even important to the digestive system, some types are pathogenic and can cause severe illnesses such as diarrhea. The pathogenic types can be transmitted into humans through contaminated water and food. Outbreaks of E. coli have occurred in ground beef, lettuce, spinach, raw milk, untreated water, alfalfa sprouts, yogurt and produce from manure-fertilized gardens.

Salmonella Testing

Salmonella lives in the intestinal tracts of humans and other animals. People can become infected with salmonella bacteria by eating foods or drinking water contaminated by animal feces. Although most contaminated foods are animal products, such as eggs, poultry, milk, or beef, salmonella is also found in fruits and vegetables.

People can also be infected with salmonella bacteria directly from animals such as pets, birds, fish, dogs, cats, and turtles. The FDA banned the sale of turtles smaller than 4 inches wide in 1975 to prevent the spread of salmonella.

Are There Any Specific Kratom Standards?

While the FDA doesn’t regulate kratom, the kratom industry has taken it upon itself to ensure high-quality products.

According to the American Kratom Association (AKA), when the FDA began focusing on the adverse events and deaths they had alleged to be linked to kratom, as well as on the contaminants and adulterants that were present in some kratom products, the AKA created the Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) standards program that asked vendors to voluntarily adhere to the GMP standards for food and dietary ingredient products. 

“This has been welcomed as a powerfully positive step by many elected officials, public health officials, and policymakers at all levels of government. It clearly demonstrates the kratom industry is both willing and capable of self-regulation and condemns the kratom manufacturers to fail to use GMPs or who deliberately adulterate their products for profit.” The American Kratom Association

Now that you know we have the highest standard of safety for our kratom powder, you should try it for yourself. Click here for our full catalog of kratom powder.

 

 

 

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Is Kratom Legal?

Is Kratom Legal?

As the popularity of kratom has increased significantly in the West over the last decade, and particularly in the last few years, many have been asking “Is kratom even legal?” Maybe you’ve been given conflicting information or even heard that bills were in the works to make it illegal. In this article, we break it down for you:

Is Kratom Legal in the U.S.?

At this time, kratom is legal in all U.S. states except for the following states:

• Arkansas (In 2016, kratom was added to the controlled substance list)
• Alabama (In 2016, kratom was named a Schedule 1 controlled substance)
• Indiana (In 2014, Indiana defined kratom as a Schedule 1 drug)
• Rhode Island (In 2017, the government criminalized the alkaloids in kratom, however, a new bill to reverse the ban and regulate it instead is currently in the works)
• Wisconsin (In 2014, two primary alkaloids in kratom are classified as Schedule I substances)
• Vermont (In 2016, Vermont placed the two main alkaloids in kratom on the list of controlled drugs) 

In addition, there are individual city bans including Alton, IL; Columbus, MS; Denver, CO; Jerseyville, IL; San Diego, CA; Sarasota, FL; Franklin City, NH and a county ban in Union County, MS.

As of 2020, there is pending legislation on kratom in the following states: Oregon, Idaho, Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Louisiana, Mississippi. Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Virginia, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Maryland, and Georgia.

U.S. government regulators have made several attempts to ban kratom in the last several years only to be met with significant backlash from the kratom community. Advocacy groups, such as the American Kratom Association (AKA) and the Botanical Education Alliance, as well as the community itself, through petitions, donations, and by showing up at government meetings, have all worked hard to keep kratom legal.

The American Kratom Association

Established in 2014, the American Kratom Association is a consumer advocacy organization and lobbyist group which has been working hard to keep kratom legal in the United States. AKA is a Virginia-registered non-profit corporation.

According to the AKA, “The FDA has deployed an unrelenting anti-kratom disinformation campaign since 2012, and every day we see more of the unfair attacks by the FDA in local cities, counties, and townships in addition to their broad attacks on kratom at the state and federal levels.” 

According to its website, the American Kratom Association has 5 main goals:

1. Support Consumers. We believe many political and private entities don’t make the needs of the consumer and constituents a priority. Our goal is to change that.
2. Educate. Kratom has many beneficial purposes and is an all-natural alternative. Our goal is to educate all Americans—from potential consumers to regulators and everyone in between.
3. Amplify. We represent thousands of Americans that each have a story to tell. We believe the current environment in the United States often does not listen to individual voices and together we will make our voice heard.
4. Global Awareness. We hope to demonstrate responsible use and practical knowledge other countries may study when considering Kratom legislation.
5. Protect Natural Resources. Kratom is a precious natural resource. We support and advocate for sustainable harvesting techniques and reforestation efforts.

Why Should Kratom Remain Legal in the U.S.?

In the American Kratom Association’s article “The Top Ten Reasons Kratom Should Not Be Classified as a Schedule 1 Drug or Banned By Any State or Local Government,” the AKA highlights the expertise of Dr. Nora Volkow, Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), who believes we should be busy studying kratom – not classifying it as a Schedule I drug.

Dr. Volkow previously testified to Congress that when a substance gets a Schedule I, it makes research much more difficult.

Looking to the Future

Kratom has been the subject of several recent studies. Research supported by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), published in June in ACS Central Science, offered new positive insights into the safety of kratom. The team, including researchers from Columbia and Memorial Sloan-Kettering, discovered that in mice, there was evidence that mitragynine and its related compounds may trigger therapeutic effects such as analgesia, while also limiting the negative side effects typical of classical opioids.  The findings point toward kratom’s potential in pain research as well as the need for further studies.

Is Kratom Legal in Europe?

Kratom legality varies in the European Union (EU). Kratom is an illegal substance in Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, and Sweden. In the United Kingdom (UK), it’s more complex. While kratom isn’t listed as a Schedule I substance, it most likely falls under the category of “psychoactive” substance in the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016 in the UK.

Is Kratom Legal in its Native Southeast Asia?

It may seem odd that kratom is subject to such strict regulations in areas where it grows naturally, but unfortunately, that is the case.

Indonesia: The Indonesian government currently allows the growing and harvesting of kratom for export, although local sales and distribution are illegal. In June 2019, however, Indonesia’s Minister of Health proposed a potential kratom ban that could become effective in 2024. According to the government, this would allow farmers 5 years to transition their livelihood away from kratom and toward other crops. 

As virtually all of the world’s kratom is produced and exported from Indonesia, a ban would cause quite a shock to the kratom community, including Indonesian farmers, American kratom business owners, and consumers. But there is hope that if worse comes to worst and the Indonesian ban is passed, Thailand may be able to fill in some of the demand, as the tide may be changing there regarding kratom legislation. 

Thailand: Although the Thai government considered legalizing kratom in 2004, 2009, 2013, and 2020 to no avail, it did begin allowing kratom to be used for medicinal purposes in 2018. Then in 2019, the government announced that kratom would be removed from their narcotics list, where it has been since 1979. Kratom cultivation has been illegal in Thailand since 1943. 

Malaysia: The use of kratom leaves is still prohibited under Section 30 of the Poisons Act 1952. However, its use is still fairly common among locals as the tree grows natively and kratom tea is readily available in villages. 

Would you like to try kratom for yourself? Siesta Botanicals is the best source for high-quality kratom powder. Click here to see all of our products.

 

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