Photos: Earth >> Asia >> Malaysia >> West >> Kedah >> Jitra

Register

  << Previous Next >>

Cousin to Grass, it's Kratom!


Cousin to Grass, it's Kratom!
Photo Information
Copyright: Foozi Saad (foozi) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 2791 W: 0 N: 6696] (25839)
Genre: Plants
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2010-07-02
Categories: Trees
Camera: Canon SX10 IS
Exposure: f/5.0, 1/80 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2010-08-12 3:33
Viewed: 3202
Points: 22
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa)
These leaves seem nothing and normal, even to me a few years ago. Today it seems that it is a small threat to the narcotic department in Malaysia.
These leaves are abused, in away it gives a special effect like marijuana.
There were a lot of kratom addicts. some were addicted because of they thought of its medicinal effect and got overdosed and stuck for life. Some take it for the cheap blues, and easily found in the villages and forests.
Some make it into juices and claimed as a good traditional herbal treatment. All these were not properly controlled, without correct dosage and become a threat to young and old people alike.
So normal but a threat to the nation if it is not properly taken care.
hope this is something new to you as it does to me.
long heard but never see how the leaves look like.

From wiki:
Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is a medicinal leaf harvested from a large tree in the Rubiaceae family native to Southeast Asia. It was first formally documented by the Dutch colonial botanist Pieter Korthals. It is botanically related to the Corynanthe, Cinchona and Uncaria genera and shares some similar biochemistry. It is in the same family as coffee and the psychoactive plant Psychotria viridis. Other species in the Mitragyna genus are used medicinally in Africa, and also used for their wood.

Kratom has been traditionally used for its psychoactive properties in Thailand and Malaysia, although it is now illegal in these countries. In Southeast Asia the fresh leaves are commonly chewed, often continuously, by workers or manual laborers seeking a numbing, stimulating effect. Less commonly, the leaves are decocted or extracted into water and then evaporated into a tar that can be swallowed. Kratom is not often smoked due to the active alkaloids being destroyed by the heat.

Kratom contains many alkaloids including mitragynine (once thought to be the primary active), mitraphylline, and 7-hydroxymitragynine (which is currently the most likely candidate for the primary active chemical in the plant). Although 7-hydroxymitraygynie and mitragynine are structurally related to yohimbine and other tryptamines, their pharmacology is quite different, acting primarily as mu-opioid receptor agonists. Other active chemicals in kratom include raubasine (best known from Rauwolfia serpentina) and some yohimbe alkaloids such as corynantheidine.
MMM, haraprasan, pierrefonds, boreocypriensis, jaycee, marius-secan, maurydv, CeltickRanger has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekNature members may rate photo notes.
Add Critique [Critiquing Guidelines] 
Only registered TrekNature members may write critiques.
Discussions
None
You must be logged in to start a discussion.

Critiques [Translate]

Dear Foozi!

I didn't know about this plant and its narcotic effect. Thanks to your notes I have learned about it. Let's hope the fly will not become addicted!

:-)

I like your picture very much. It's crystal clear and shows in a perfect manner the delicate structure of the leaf. I also appreciate the fine colour management. The fly is like the dessert, it adds to the value of the whole...

Kind regards

Markus

  • Great 
  • mamcg Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 333 W: 13 N: 91] (9843)
  • [2010-08-12 5:29]

Ya Foozi,
Assalamualia kum,

RAMADAN KARIM, it is my second day as yesterday was optional last of SH'BAAN fasting and today the first of ramadan, over here it is not that hot climate, it feels good. We have 4:30 AM seh'r and Iftaar at 7:40 PM, me fiq Jaffaria.

I don't know whether I'm hungry or so this leaf looks very fresh, it had a nice depth and the insec over this is also well focused, as a whole it is a nice shot, much fresh.
TFS, regards.

Musa.

  • Great 
  • MMM Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1114 W: 0 N: 2546] (11425)
  • [2010-08-12 7:28]

Hi Foozi
That is a nice composition.very sharp image with excellent detail.I also liek colors and light.Your text is excellent I just learn something new today.
TFS Michel

Hi Foozi,
A nice capture of these leaves of Kratom plant. I would have preferred the whole plant in the frame and the leaf closeup as insert. But anyway this is also a nice composition. Thank you very much for sharing.

Hi Foozi,

The subject is well framed. the point of view is showing with precision the details and colors of the Kratom leaves with the fly as a complement. The morning light is bringing out the colors. Have a nice day.

Pierre

Yeah:) flies are generally unattractive creatures, but you've captured a fine composition with this one. It is sharp, and you have it nicely positioned center in the shot. A cheerful image MF Foozi!
TFS and have a nice night!
Cheers,

Bayram

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2454 W: 10 N: 8044] (25460)
  • [2010-08-12 16:28]

Hi Foozi,

You have taught me my new lesson for the day! I never heard of Kratom and didn't know about the addictive qualities. I wonder how long it will take for them to discover this over here. Lovely shades of green and nice details of the leaves. The fly must be enjoying himself!

Jane

Hola Foozi

Vaya una fantastica imagen de esta planta con sus hojas con ese color muy vivo, muy buena imagen y con mucha nitidez.

Un saludo de Antonio

Hello Foozi,
Interesting image with superb details ant colours.
Great blurred background.
Marius.

Hallo Foozi,
a very beautiful picture, i like this simple and harmonious composition
TFS
Best regards
Maurizio

hello Foozi

i love this excellent shot that for this insect it is an
environmental photo, with very beautiful light,
superbly focused great sharpness and details, TFS

Asbed

Calibration Check
















0123456789ABCDEF