Some herbal teas and natural plant options may offer similar effects to kratom. But will you find an herb that perfectly replicates all of kratom’s effects? That sounds almost impossible. Nonetheless, we will share about 7 natural options that may offer one or two of the diverse properties of kratom.
Kratom is a versatile herbal product with numerous potential benefits, such as uplifting mood, boosting energy, enhancing focus, promoting relaxation, etc. For reasons such as its legal status or to take breaks from it to avoid dependence, you may look for something similar in effects to kratom.
Let’s explore some options.
7 Herbs That Share Similar Properties With Kratom
Go through the list below to find the herbal products that closely replicate the specific effects for which you use or intend to use kratom.
1. Kava
To this day, some people still struggle to differentiate between kava and kratom. This is not just because their names sound somewhat similar; they also share similarities in effects. Kava contains lactone compounds called kavalactones, and these compounds interact with the brain to produce calming or relaxing effects, help you feel mentally at ease, and enhance mental clarity.
This makes kava important in combating stress, worries, or sleeplessness. All these effects and uses are part of what you get from kratom, except that kratom offers some more. In addition to relaxing effects, feeling at ease, and enhancing mental clarity, kratom is also an energy booster and helps you feel both mentally and physically at ease.
So if your goal is to look for an alternative to kratom for its calming effects, feeling mentally at ease, or enhancing mental clarity, kava may be a good one. But for physical ease or an energy boost, kava’s effects don’t cover those.
2. Akuamma Seeds
Picralima nitida, also known as akuamma, is a tree native to West Africa. Akuammine is the most abundant alkaloid found in the seed, and the seeds are ground into powder and used by natives to lower high body temperatures and help with body relief.
If you want a milder version of kratom for body relief and relaxation, akuamma might come through for you. It is specifically useful in places where kratom is not legal or for people trying to avoid dependency that may arise from the frequent use of kratom.
Akuamma may also mildly boost energy and mood, but it is nothing close to the effects and potency you get from kratom.
3. Mitragyna Javanica
Mitragyna javanica (diversifolia) and Mitragyna speciosa (kratom) are two similar herbs that belong to the same genus but different species. Since they are from the same family, they should share some similarities, and yes, they do. However, they have different alkaloid content. For kratom, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine are the two most active components responsible for most of its effects. For javanica, mitrajavine and 3-isoajmalicine are the two principal compounds responsible for its effects.
Kratom and javanica are used for numerous beneficial effects, including mood boosts and energy. But the major difference is that kratom is far more potent than javanica. You will have to dose larger quantities to get effects close to kratom, and larger doses mean spending more money.
Because there is limited research on javanica (not because it is safer), it is legal in all the states in the US, while kratom is banned in a few states. If you want something way less potent than kratom, or you live in a place where kratom is banned, Mitragyna javanica may be an option.
4. Wild Lettuce
Wild lettuce is another natural option to kratom you should consider, especially for body relief and relaxation. These effects are a part of what you get from kratom. If you take kratom for body relief or for its calming effects, wild lettuce may be a good substitute for that. You can use it when you need breaks from kratom to avoid dependency or if you live in an area where kratom is illegal.
The major difference between wild lettuce and kratom is that kratom offers more benefits than wild lettuce. You can tweak your kratom doses to get an energy boost or relaxing effects. However, wild lettuce is mainly for relaxation. If you use kratom for relaxation or as a sleeping aid, wild lettuce can play a role there. But for energizing effects, wild lettuce has no chance.
5. Mitragyna Hirsuta
Mitragyna hirsuta and Mitragyna speciosa (kratom) both belong to the same genus and share many similarities. However, they are different species with distinct alkaloid profiles and effects. Hirsuta has been traditionally used for its mild soothing and energizing effects.
Both kratom and hirsuta contain mitragynine, a compound known for its energizing effect. But mitragynine is lower in hirsuta and higher in kratom. They both also contain paynantheine, a compound known for its calming effects, but less potent than 7-hydroxymitragynine. The different proportions of similar compounds in the two plants explain why they share some similarities but at different intensities.
If you want a milder version of kratom for energizing and soothing effects, Mitragyna hirsuta is a perfect choice. But if you have a high tolerance, you may hardly feel any effect from taking hirsuta.
6. Cat’s Claw
Cat’s claw is a herbal remedy derived from the bark of the Uncaria tomentosa vine. It may not be the best alternative to kratom, but we decided to add it to the list because it could be beneficial to some herbal enthusiasts.
It is one of the best-selling herbal medicines in the United States and Europe, known for its body relief properties. But the effects are not as potent or immediate as what you get with kratom.
Kratom has the potential to boost energy, focus, and uplift mood at low doses, while at higher doses, it may offer body relief, calming, and relaxing effects. The major use case shared by both kratom and cat’s claw is providing body relief, but the effect is gentler and long-term with cat’s claw. If you are looking for a herb that will energize or make you relax, you won’t get that from cat’s claw.
7. Kratom Stem and Vein
The leaves of kratom are usually dried and processed into kratom powder. This is what is widely sold to users, either in powder or capsule form. But how about kratom stem and vein? Aren’t they as effective as the leaves?
After kratom leaves are harvested, cleaned, and dried, they are deveined and de-stemmed before grinding into powder. These leftovers (veins and stems) are becoming popular as an alternative to kratom powder.
User experiences suggest that kratom stem and vein may contain lower amounts of mitragynine than the leaves, making it weaker in effects. But there are no scientific studies to back it yet. So you may consider the stem and vein option if you want slightly milder effects. Also, if budget is a concern to you, kratom stem and vein costs about half of what you pay for the ground leaves.
Whichever Option You Choose, Know This!
If you are looking for an alternative to kratom for just one of its effects, for example, energy, relaxation, or body relief, some of the natural options on the list may give you that. But potency may not be as strong as kratom.
However, if what you want is something that will completely replicate kratom in offering energy at low doses and relaxation and body relief at high doses, no herb can give that. Kratom remains a unique herb that taps into the effects and uses of different plants, making it difficult to replicate its uses.
But because you need breaks when using kratom, and because kratom is not legal everywhere, you just have to choose another natural option that shares some similarities with kratom.
