Kratom is a traditional herb that has found its use to relieve pain, reduce anxiety, improve energy levels and treat opioid withdrawal. Its medicinal value has increasingly led to demand from people all over the world. The sad story is that most governments still regard it as illegal hence need for its alternatives.
Most people today suffer from headaches, body ache and pain related to some of the chronic diseases. Example someone who has osteoporosis will often feel pain on his joints and other killer diseases like cancer. If you meet a cancer patient, you cannot stop thinking about the kind of pain they are experiencing. Despite the government regulation, thank to the Mother Nature that still provides natural alternatives to kratom.
Below is a list of seven top kratom alternatives
1: Kava Kava
It is at the top of the list. It has also been called the ‘root of happiness.’ It is a crop with the native of the western Pacific, commonly classified as pepper. Traditionally people used to take it during social gatherings and rituals. Today, most people use it in tea and other in its powder form. It works on the dopamine and the GABA receptors which are neurotransmitters thus, reducing the neuronal activity in the brain.
Benefits Of Kava Kava
Anti-cancer
Study reports show that it decreases the breast cancer cell size and increases cell death. It has compounds called the Flavokawain A, B and flavokawain derivative; this increases the concentration of Bax protein, which then activates the protein that causes cell death. It is the cell death that stops the cancer cell cycle and its production.
Treats anxiety
It activates the gamma-Aminobutyric acid receptors which produce the calming effect.
Treats sleeping disorders
The sedative effects are a result of the increased binding of the neurotransmitters with receptors and blocking of sodium and calcium ion channels.
Treats depression
The effect is due to the production of dopamine and serotonin which is activated by the compounds in the herb.
Treats drug addiction
It has anti-craving effects due to the function of dopamine used in producing neurons in the reward system of the brain.
Protects against brain damage
The brain could be damaged by the oxidative stress caused by Parkinson brain disorder. It inhibits through the production of antioxidant enzymes.
Effects Of Kava Kava
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Fatigue
- Depression
- Mild stomach discomfort and diarrhea.
- Heavy and frequent use of kava can cause dry eye and dry scaling skin.
- Combining it with alcohol can cause liver toxicity and damage.
2: Mitragyna Javanica
This species is closely related to kratom, perfect for those who want mild effects. It contains no mitragynine, one of the main alkaloids that are in Kratom. However, it has alkaloid known as mitrajavine. It is a tree commonly used in southwest Asia.
Benefits
Aid in opiate withdrawal
The Ajmalicine accounts for the relaxing effects and makes it ideal for those suffering from opiate withdrawal, however, it all depends on the dosage.
Stress reliever
The alkaloid can help to relieve pain like Kratom. It has the antidepressants effect.
Contains 3-isoajmalicine
It acts as a mild substitute for those who can’t handle the power and adverse effects of the kratom.
Reduces the blood pressure
It excels because of the presence of alkaloid ajmalicine which is useful in lowering the blood pressure.
Effects
- It is less a sedative and stimulating.
- May be accompanied by mild euphoria.
- You will experience good mood.
3: Akuamma Seeds
It is a medicinal herb that has found its use in most of the African countries as a painkiller. It contains the akuammine and pericine. These alkaloids act as anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-diarrheal, antimicrobial, skeletal muscle relaxant, antipyretic, antiplasmodial and antiulcer activities.
Benefits
Provides an opiate alternative
It is an opioid receptor agonist which makes it ideal for people suffering from addiction.
Produces a relaxation feeling
When taken it relaxes the mental state and create the effect of calmness.
Pain reliever
It is used to alleviate pain caused by Lupus erythematosus, fibromyalgia, arthritis, amigraine and sore muscles.
Treats sleeping disorders
For problems like insomnia and nightmares, the seeds have proven to be beneficial in producing sedative activity. Most users report that effect is after one hour.
An excellent anti-parasitic action
These seeds have been fruitful particularly to the Trypanosoma, a protozoon with a single flagellum; It responsible for diseases like sleeping sickness, Leishmaniasis, and Chagas diseases.
An excellent anti-malarial action
A study shows that the seeds exhibited inhibitory activity from the strains of Plasmodium such as Falciparum
Inhibits diabetes
The Akuammicine present has proven to have anti-diabetic properties; it acts by promoting the uptake of glucose into the cells thus reducing its levels in the plasma.
Effects
- The seeds are very bitter hence, produces the results of vomiting and nausea particularly after taking.
- A headache
- Stomach upset.
4: Rhodiola Rosea
It is a flowering herb that grows in the cold and high altitude regions of Europe and Asia. It has been a traditional medicine for many years particularly to Russia. It is also called golden root, king’s crown and roseroot. It is well known for it adaptogenic properties. It survives the hot summer and the cold winters. It has 140 active ingredients; the two primaries are the rosavin and salidroside.
Benefits
Improves the cognitive function
It is right for people who desire enhanced thinking skills and energy.
Helps to reduce stress
People with life and work-related stress found it significant improvements on fatigue, anxiety, and exhaustion.
Reduces symptoms of depression
It has been found to exhibit anti-depressing properties by balancing the neurotransmitter in the brain. It hence effects of good mood and emotions.
Can improve exercise performance
It has the potential to decrease the perceived struggle which will allow you to workout longer.
Anti-diabetes properties
It able to reduce blood sugar in rodents, this suggests that it can provide the same effects to the humans.
May have anti-cancer properties
Test-tube experiments have shown that the salidroside ingredient inhibits the growth of cancer cells.
Effects
It may cause;
- Dizziness
- dry mouth or excessive saliva production.
5: Yohimbe
It is an evergreen tree found in the central and western Africa. Its bark makes these popular dietary supplements. It contains a chemical called the Yohimbine that provides its medicinal properties. It’s being used for the treatment of erectile dysfunction and commonly by bodybuilders to help them lose fat.
Benefits
Helps in erectile dysfunction
This condition is a result of alpha-2 adrenergic receptors; the active ingredients in this herb inhibit the receptors and also promote the release of nitric oxide which causes dilation of the blood vessels thus increasing the blood flow.
Aid in losing weight
By blocking the alpha-2 receptors located in the fat cells, could lead to fat and weight loss. This ability will enable an athlete to improve performance.
May increase effect of antidepressant medication
The active ingredients, has properties that help to raise the dopamine levels. Thus it helps to dilute the condition and help one to be active.
Reduces the possibility for hypertension
Its ability to promote dilution of blood vessels by the nitric oxide makes it easier for the heart to pump blood.
Effects
- Increase in amount of saliva
- Nausea and vomiting
- Dizziness
- Sweating
- A headache.
6: White Willow Bark
The willow bark has a history of its medicinal use since the time of Hippocrates (400 BC). It contains a chemical known as the salicylic acid from the Salicine compound, which works similar to aspirin, therefore, commonly used to relieve pain. It has other chemicals like flavonoids and polyphenols which are immune-boosting agents, with antioxidant and antiseptic properties.
Benefits
Ease lower back pain
Salicine is responsible for the pain management; hence it is used for a headache, back pain and body ache.
It is an anti-inflammatory
It inhibits the cyclooxygenase, which is responsible for the formation of prostaglandins, which is an inflammatory stimulus
Alleviates acne
It is because working as anti-inflammatory agents and soothing properties. The salicylic acid is a natural exfoliant thus, enables to treat acne, shed the dead cells and clear the pores.
Soothes the menstrual cramps
The above situation is a result of inflammation of the uterine lining and the contractions catalyzed by prostaglandins. This bark regulates the production of the catalyst hence, soothes the cramps.
It boosts the immune system
The Polyphenols and flavonoids found in the back are natural immune boosting agents. Also, the exhibit antiseptic and antioxidant properties that enhances healing.
Effects
- May increase a bleeding disorder.
- Might slow blood clotting after surgery
- Dizziness
- May cause a severe allergic reaction.
7: Tianeptine Sodium
It was development made by French scientists in the 1960s as a prescription drug to treat depression. For people that are struggling with anxiety or mild depression, it serves as a significant mood enhancer among other benefits.
Benefits
Improves the depressive symptoms
It uses on extended treatment, decreased the incidents of recurrence and relapse. The effects are due to its ability to regulate and normalize the glutamate levels in the receptors.
It lessens stress and anxiety
Anxiety is a result of the neurocognitive function; however, the condition is reduced by; enhancing the uptake of serotonin, normalizing the glutamate and inhibiting the changes induced by stress to the neurotransmitters.
Improves the memory function
Through the treatment of major depression, it led to the improvement of the cognitive function in the brain. People who use it will have improved effects on learning, concentration, working and reference memory.
It is an anti-inflammatory
It has this benefit in the microglial cells and may help to prevent the invasion of the cancer cells.
It helps to reduce pain
It works through various mechanisms to combat depression; Activates the Mu-opioid and delta-opioid receptors, which reliefs pain, trough the inflammatory effects and by increasing serotonin and norepinephrine levels in the spinal dorsal horn.
Reduces asthma
During an attack, the serotonin and other compounds are found circulating in the blood; it thus decreases this element circulation by enhancing the serotonin uptake by platelets to the central nervous system.
Effects
- A headache
- Constipation
- Dizziness
- Liver toxicity
- Dry mouth
From above listing, you surely will find the one that suits your condition and the ease of in it availability. Before trying any of them, make sure to consult your doctor.
