Kratom Effects on the Immune System

Kratom is a natural substance, native to the island countries of South East Asia. This plant belongs to the same family as the coffee tree and shares some of coffee’s energy boosting properties. The native cultures of these areas have used kratom leaves for many generations to help them go through long and painful working days and to help them relax after that.

In later times, we are witnessing how kratom is gaining popularity among many westerns thanks to its many properties on health. Kratom advocates report how this natural substance has helped them alleviate many different ailments. Kratom is especially beneficial for those who suffer from chronic pain, stress, and anxiety, to name a few. Also, many people who struggle with opiates addiction, use kratom to help relieve some of the symptoms caused by opiate withdrawal. On the other hand, many individuals use kratom to improve their focus or simply to help them get an extra boost of energy.

But did you know can also help your immune system? In this article, we’ll explore kratom effects on the immune system and its benefits.

Why Does Kratom Boost the Immune System?

To understand kratom’s effects on the immune system we need to learn about its alkaloids and content. As you may know, kratom owes its properties to the alkaloids that are present in its leaves. Notably, kratom or mitragyna speciosa main alkaloids are mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine. But, although these are the most popular of its “ingredients”, kratom leaves contain more than 25 other alkaloids and compounds that have properties of their own.

Kratom leaves have some compounds that are beneficial for the immune system, such as:

• Isomitraphylline
• Isopteroprodine
• Mitraphylline
• Isorhynchophylline

All kratom alkaloids and compounds together have a synergistic effect that is believed to boost and improve the immune system. In fact, this combination of substances will help you overcome illnesses, viruses, and bacterial infections a lot quicker.

How Does Kratom Affect the Immune System?

In addition to its alkaloids and immune system boosting compounds, kratom’s leaves contain a variety of antioxidant ingredients. Notably, kratom contains significant amounts of a potent antioxidant called epicatechin. This is a flavonoid typically found in cacao, tea and grapes and its what gives dark chocolate its antioxidant effects. Also, mitragynine is a potent antioxidant itself.

But what are antioxidants and what do they do? Antioxidants are compounds found in foods and other substances that help our system to delay or stop damage to the cells. Also, antioxidants help us fight free radicals, which are basically molecules and atoms that can damage our cells by stealing their electrons. Free radicals can be caused by our normal metabolism, but also by external sources, such as smoking. But common illnesses can also cause free radicals. That’s why antioxidants are so important. They help us protect our immune system and keep us healthier and younger.

Kratom’s antioxidants are especially high in strains like Bali, Indo, and Borneo.

Kratom Antiviral Properties

Kratom has also antiviral properties. When you suffer from a cold or the flu, chances are that you have a virus infection. First of all, you need to know that viruses and bacteria are two totally different things.

Whilst bacteria are living organisms that you can combat with antibiotics, viruses aren’t. Antibiotics and your own immune system can kill bacteria, but it can’t kill viruses, as they aren’t alive. Viruses attack by invading an organism’s cells, and then they use these cells to replicate. That’s why antibiotics aren’t effective when dealing with viruses. In order to get rid of viruses, your immune system produces antibodies that attach to the virus and prevent it from replicating.

As we mentioned, kratom leaves contain epicatechin. This flavonoid poses many antiviral properties, so taking kratom will help you combat common viruses. Antivirals work by preventing viruses from replicating.

Epicatechin has also anti-inflammatory properties, which makes it effective when fighting common ailments such a cold or flu. As well as this flavonoid, kratom contains rhynchophylline, which also has anti-inflammatory effects.

Kratom for Cold and Flu

As we mentioned above, kratom’s compounds have antioxidant, antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties. All of these are beneficial to prevent getting sick, but they also help when you need to combat common illnesses, such as colds and flu.

Kratom can also help ease some of these illnesses symptoms, including:

• Body aches
• Lethargy
• Sleeping trouble

Red vein kratom is especially effective to sleep and relax, and also to relieve pain. On the other hand, white vein kratom is effective to achieve more energy. In addition, kratom can help you improve focus and mental clarity, which will combat the mental fogginess that some people get when suffering from a cold or flu.

Also, kratom’s anti-inflammatory effects can help you ease inflammation in your throat and sinuses. Moreover, some kratom alkaloids, such as 7-hydroxymitragynine mitragynine and ciliaphylline have antitussive effects, making it effective to combat cough. The way they relieve cough is by suppressing activity in the area of the brain that controls coughing.

To enjoy kratom’s antioxidant and immune system effects, it is recommended to take low to moderate doses.

And, what’s your experience with kratom? Have you noticed any overall health improvements since taking kratom? Do you get ill less frequently or not really? Let us know in the comments below!