Differences between Mitragyna Javanica, Mitragyna Hersuta, and Mitragyna Speciosa

With some exaggeration, it can be said that Kratom has become a real „hit“ in the media and among politicians of all parties in recent years. The result is stricter regulation, but Kratom remains legal. Even so, many people are looking for alternatives. These include, for example, the Mitragyna Hirsuta and Mitragyna Javanica plants. Let’s take a closer look at them.

Comparison of three trees

Mitragyna Javanica, Mitragyna Hersuta, and Mitragyna Speciosa all belong to the same group. All three are native to Southeast Asia and were known to the indigenous people long before they were discovered by Western science and, more importantly, Western society. The leaves of all three contain alkaloids that can have both positive and negative effects on humans. However, they differ in one important respect.

In the West, as in Asia, people have come to love these trees because they can provide the body with energy when it needs it, relieve pain, and aid relaxation. However, as kratom, or Mitragyna Speciosa, gained popularity in our country and others, it also began to attract the attention of authorities, who focused on its negative aspects. In some countries, this has resulted in a complete ban on sales, while in others (such as ours) it has at least led to regulation. However, this applies to kratom; the other two trees have been spared so far. Why? Let’s take a closer look at all three trees.

Mitragyna Speciosa, aka kratom

Where else to start than with the most famous of the three trees mentioned in the title of this article? Mitragyna Speciosa, known as kratom, is a tropical evergreen tree that grows up to 30 meters tall. It is native to the rainforests of Southeast Asia, particularly Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia. However, the most valuable part of the tree is its leaves, which contain a number of alkaloids with specific effects on humans. These are mainly mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine. These substances are responsible for its specific effects.

Kratom is most commonly used in the form of powder from dried leaves, which can be added to drinks, incorporated into food, or taken on its own. Just like the indigenous people centuries before us, people today value its stimulating and relaxing effects, which are used, for example, as an alternative to opioids in the treatment of chronic pain.

In the Czech Republic, possession and use of kratom is currently legal, but its sale and distribution are subject to certain restrictions. These mainly concern the minimum age of the customer and the labeling of products containing kratom.

As with any other active substance, kratom has potentially positive effects, but also possible side effects. These may include increased blood pressure, dizziness, dry mouth, nausea, etc. With weaker alternatives such as Mitragyna Javanica and Mitragyna Hersuta, the risk of these unwanted side effects is lower, which is one of the reasons why they are becoming increasingly popular.

Mitragyna Javanica

As with other plants and trees discussed in this text, Mitragyna Javanica (also known as Kra Thum Na) is native to Southeast Asia. As its name suggests, it is primarily found in the Indonesian islands of Java, Sumatra, and Borneo. However, it can also be found elsewhere. The tree grows up to 30 meters tall and is characterized by smooth, gray bark.

Mitragyna Javanica belongs to the same group of trees as kratom, Mitragyna Speciosa. Kra Thum Na has shiny, oval leaves with a smooth surface and gently wavy edges. It then blooms with small spherical flowers that are yellowish-green in color. Like kratom, this tree has been and continues to be used in Asian folk medicine.

Mitragyna Javanica leaves contain alkaloids that have mild stimulating and relaxing effects. Traditionally, Kra Thum Na leaves are dried and prepared as tea or chewed to boost energy and relieve stress and fatigue. Compared to kratom, however, Javanica is much milder. This makes it popular with people who are looking for a natural remedy to boost their energy or calm themselves down without wanting the effects to be too strong.

The alkaloid content of Javanica consists mainly of mitrajavynin, isomitrajavynin, and mitrajavin. Unlike kratom, it does not contain mitragynin and 7-hydroxymitragynin, which means that the effects of Javanica are slightly weaker. Mitragynia Javanica is not subject to any regulations and is completely legal in the Czech Republic.

Mitragyna Hirsuta

The second popular alternative to kratom is Mitragyna hirsuta, a tree also known by its Thai name „Kra Thum Khok.“ It also comes from Southeast Asia, specifically from Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Laos. However, the tree grows mainly in dry and rocky areas, which distinguishes it from other species of the Mitragyna genus, which prefer a more humid environment.

Mitragyna hirsuta is a medium-sized tree that commonly grows to a height of 15 meters. Its distinguishing feature is its oval leaves, which are dark green and, above all, have a finely hairy surface. This is such a typical feature of this plant that it is the source of its Latin name „hirsuta,“ which actually means „hairy.“ The tree’s flowers are small and yellow, arranged in spherical clusters.

Like kratom, the related tree Mitragyna hirsuta has been used in traditional Southeast Asian medicine for centuries. Indigenous people have known since time immemorial that the leaves of this tree have mild stimulating and relaxing effects, making them useful for managing stress, fatigue, or mild pain.

The leaves are traditionally dried and consumed in the form of tea, or chewed similarly to betel. Unlike kratom, which contains strong alkaloids such as the aforementioned mitragynine, Mitragyna hirsuta is milder and not as rich in alkaloids. Again, it is a milder and weaker variant. Mitragyna hirsuta is not subject to special regulation and is completely legal in Czechia.

Legal status of the three trees

The legal aspect of the matter has already been mentioned several times in the previous text. The whole situation can be summarized by saying that kratom is regulated in our country and banned in some other countries. In the Czech Republic, the need to protect children from kratom has been and continues to be emphasized.

As for the other two trees, Mitragyna Javanica and Mitragyna Hersuta, their alkaloid composition is slightly different and their effects are weaker. This is why they are currently protected from similar treatment in the vast majority of countries. Undoubtedly, this is also due to the fact that, unlike kratom, they are not yet as well known, and Western society has not yet begun to use and sell them on a large scale as it has kratom.

The question is whether, if kratom replaces them in terms of sales volume, a similar „process“ will occur with these trees and the products made from them. Either way, science should continue to pay attention to their properties and effects on human health, as research findings on their ability to have a positive effect on diseases such as Alzheimer’s suggest that it makes sense. Time will tell how the situation will develop. However, Mitragyna Javanica, Mitragyna Hersuta, and Mitragyna Speciosa have certainly not had their final say yet.