Kratom is new to most Americans, but in Southeast Asia it has a history stretching back generations. Understanding where kratom comes from — the tree, the region, the traditional uses and the modern export trade — helps explain how it reached US store shelves and why the products sold here can look so different from traditional use.
The kratom tree
Kratom comes from Mitragyna speciosa, a tropical evergreen tree in the Rubiaceae family — the same plant family as coffee. It grows naturally in the humid lowlands and swampy forests of Southeast Asia and can reach heights of 40 to more than 80 feet. Its large, glossy, oval leaves are the part used to make kratom products.
The tree was formally described by European botanists in the 19th century, and the genus name Mitragyna refers to the shape of its flower’s stigma, which reminded botanists of a bishop’s mitre.
Where kratom grows
Kratom is native to:
- Thailand
- Malaysia
- Indonesia, especially the islands of Borneo and Sumatra
- Papua New Guinea
It also grows in parts of Myanmar, Vietnam and the Philippines. Today, Indonesia is the dominant source of kratom exported to the United States. Region names on US products — “Bali,” “Borneo,” “Malay” — are often marketing labels rather than verified origins. See Kratom Strains Explained.
Traditional use
In rural Thailand and Malaysia, kratom has been used for a long time. Traditional patterns described by researchers include:
- Chewing fresh leaves, often by farmers and laborers, to help with fatigue during long working days in the heat.
- Brewing leaves as tea, sometimes shared socially.
- Use in social and ceremonial settings, including community gatherings.
- Folk remedies for complaints such as diarrhea, cough and pain.
Traditional use typically involved fresh or lightly processed leaf. That is quite different from the concentrated extracts and 7-OH products sold in the US today.
Legal history in Southeast Asia
Ironically, some of the countries where kratom is native have had some of the strictest rules about it. Thailand restricted kratom for decades before reforming its law in 2021 to remove kratom from its list of controlled narcotics. Malaysia has long controlled kratom under its poisons law. These shifts show that even in kratom’s home region, governments have struggled with how to balance traditional use against concerns about misuse.
How kratom reached the United States
Kratom began appearing in the US in the early 2000s, sold online and in specialty shops. Use grew substantially over the following two decades. In Indonesia, kratom became an important cash crop for farmers, particularly in West Kalimantan on Borneo, with much of the harvest exported.
As the US market grew, so did product variety — and with it, concerns about quality, contamination and highly concentrated products. Those concerns are what drive today’s patchwork of state laws and federal action on 7-OH. See our state-by-state legal guide for where things stand now.
From tree to package
- Harvest — leaves are picked by hand from mature trees.
- Drying — leaves are dried indoors, outdoors or in a combination. Drying method affects color and may affect alkaloid content.
- Grinding — dried leaves are crushed and milled into fine powder.
- Export — powder is shipped in bulk to importers.
- Testing and packaging — responsible vendors test batches for alkaloids, heavy metals and microbes before selling. See How to Read a Kratom Label.
Frequently asked questions
What country does kratom come from?
Kratom is native to Southeast Asia, especially Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. Most US kratom is imported from Indonesia.
Is kratom related to coffee?
Yes. Kratom and coffee both belong to the Rubiaceae plant family.
Is kratom legal in Thailand?
Thailand removed kratom from its narcotics list in 2021 and now regulates it. Rules on sale and use still apply.
New to kratom? Start with our overview: What Is Kratom?
Sources
- National Institute on Drug Abuse: Kratom
- World Health Organization: Kratom, Mitragynine, 7-Hydroxymitragynine Pre-Review Report
- Tilleke & Gibbins: Thailand Decriminalizes Kratom in Amended Narcotics Act
Kratom Universe publishes independent educational information. Nothing on this site is medical or legal advice. Kratom is not approved by the FDA to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Talk with a healthcare provider before using kratom, and check your state and local laws. If you or someone you know is struggling with substance use, call SAMHSA’s free, confidential National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357.
