Getting to Know Kratom, Plants that Attract President Jokowi (1)
Gatra.com | 06 Sep 2019 18:59
Pontianak, Gatra.com – During a working visit to Pontianak President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) was interested when told about the potential of kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) plants by an invitation from Kapuas Hulu. At that time the President handed over land certificates to the people, at Rumah Radakng, Jalan Sutan Syahrir, Pontianak, West Kalimantan, Thursday, September 5, 2019.
Jokowi said that these strange or unique commodities were very important for the income of the people in the regions. Moreover, the market share of sales to foreign countries. In fact, the price per kilogram of kratom can reach Rp. 18 thousand to Rp. 30 thousand. Depending on the form of powder or still crumbs of Kratom leaves at the farm level.
Kratom is a tropical evergreen tree in the coffee family native to Southeast Asia. M. speciosa is endemic to Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar and Papua New Guinea. This plant is used in a mixture of traditional medicines since the 19th century. Kratom has opioid properties and several stimulant effects. Opioids are very effective painkillers (analgesics), if used correctly can effectively control pain and improve the quality of life of patients with chronic pain.
In 2018, the usefulness and safety of kratom as a therapeutic drug is in doubt. Because research on its use has poor quality. In February 2018, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) stated there was no evidence that kratom was safe or effective for treating. Some people use it to deal with chronic pain. But lately for recreational purposes such as drugs. Therefore the National Narcotics Agency (BNN) proposes to include kratom in group I drugs. Group I Narcotics for example, raw opium, coca plants, coca leaves, raw cocaine, heroina, methamphetamine, and cannabis.
Also read: Jokowi Interested in Kratom, According to BNN it is Narcotics Group I
Kratom begins its influence in five to ten minutes and lasts for two to five hours. Common mild side effects are nausea, vomiting, and constipation (constipation). More severe side effects may include respiratory depression (decreased breathing), seizures, addiction, and psychosis. Other side effects, palpitations, high blood pressure, difficulty sleeping, and liver poisoning.
If mixed with other substances can cause death. In 2016 to 2017, 152 overdose deaths involving kratom were reported in the United States. Overdose with kratom as the main ingredient of 91 deaths. And 7 deaths with kratom as the sole cause. Nine kratom-related deaths occurred in Sweden in 2011 and 2012, all of which involved a mixture of kratom with other opioids.
In the United States, the use of kratom increased rapidly between 2011 and 2017. In 2019, the FDA warned consumers that kratom remained unapproved for interstate commerce. Not safe in commercially available products. And if imported it will be cleared. (Continued)
