What is Kratom?
01 — Botanical classification
A tropical tree from the Rubiaceae family
Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is a tropical tree that typically reaches 4–16 metres in height, and even more under particularly favourable conditions. It has opposite, simple, broadly elliptical to ovate leaves with clearly visible venation — glossy, leathery and entire-margined. The small tubular flowers, whitish to yellowish, are arranged in spherical heads typical of the tribe Naucleeae. The fruit consists of small capsules with numerous seeds.
Ecologically, Mitragyna speciosa is associated with humid lowland habitats — riverbanks, alluvial soils, secondary forests and areas with a tropical monsoon climate. Its natural range includes mainly Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Borneo and Sumatra; the exact boundaries are difficult to separate from later cultivation and human-mediated movement of the plant.
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Class | Angiospermae |
| Order | Gentianales |
| Family | Rubiaceae |
| Genus | Mitragyna |
| Species | M. speciosa (Korth.) Havil. |
🌿 Related species of the Rubiaceae family
Coffea arabica — Arabica coffee plant
Cinchona officinalis — cinchona tree (quinine)
Gardenia jasminoides — cape jasmine
Kratom shares its botanical family with some of the world’s most important economic and medicinal plants.
“From a botanical point of view, this is not merely a ‘plant with effects’, but a remarkable representative of tropical forest and riverine habitats.”
Botanical and historical profile of Mitragyna speciosa02 — Etymology and name
What does the name Mitragyna speciosa mean?
The generic name Mitragyna is derived from the Greek mitra — a headband, head covering or bishop’s mitre. The name refers to the shape of the stigma or part of the floral morphology, which reminded botanists of a mitre. The specific epithet speciosa is a Latin superlative from species: “beautiful”, “striking”, “splendid”. The full scientific name may be loosely translated as “a striking species with a mitre-shaped stigma”.
The common name kratom comes from Thai krathom. In Malay contexts, the terms ketum or biak-biak are also used — these names refer not only to the botanical species, but also to dried or fresh leaves and beverages prepared from them. The diversity of names reflects the fact that the plant has been part of everyday culture in Southeast Asia for centuries.
03 — History and traditional use
Centuries of Southeast Asian rural culture
In traditional communities of Thailand, Malaysia and the Indonesian islands, kratom use was primarily practical rather than exclusively ritual. Farmers, fishermen and rubber tappers chewed fresh leaves (after removing the central vein) or prepared them as a decoction. Unlike ayahuasca or sacred opium poppy traditions, kratom does not stand at the centre of an extensive cosmological mythology — its cultural role has generally been more everyday and work-related.
In folk medicine, it was used for diarrhoea, fever, cough and intestinal complaints. In regions where opium use was widespread, it could serve as a cheaper and locally available alternative. This fact is historically and pharmacologically significant and explains part of the regulatory tension surrounding kratom in the 20th century.
~19th century — colonial botany
The Dutch botanist Pieter Willem Korthals (1807–1892) was the first to formally describe the species under the name Nauclea speciosa Korth.
1897 — reclassification
The British botanist George Darby Haviland (1857–1901) transferred the species to the genus Mitragyna, creating the current combination Mitragyna speciosa (Korth.) Havil.
early 20th century
The first pharmacognostic studies described the alkaloid mitragynine. The precise molecular structure was clarified only decades later.
20th century — regulatory tension
Thailand introduced legal restrictions — motivated not only by health concerns, but also by economic and political interests linked to state control of opium. Neighbouring countries adopted differing positions.
2025 — Czech Republic
Act No. 321/2024 Coll. and the related Government Regulation No. 456/2025 Coll. place kratom on the list of psychomodulatory substances — the first framework that does not criminalise consumers, but strictly regulates the substance.
A modern view of kratom requires — as ethnobotanical literature points out — sobriety: neither romanticising it as a “completely safe natural alternative” nor demonising it. It is a species with a rich history and clear pharmacological potential, but also with risks that cannot be ignored.
04 — Phytochemistry and composition
Alkaloids: why not all kratom is the same
The leaves of Mitragyna speciosa contain dozens of indole and oxindole alkaloids. Their proportions vary depending on the plant’s genetic origin, leaf age, locality, climate, harvesting method, drying and storage. Kratom is not a chemically uniform substance — two samples can have markedly different alkaloid profiles. Pharmacologically, these alkaloids act, among other systems, on opioid, adrenergic, serotonergic and dopaminergic receptor systems.
| Alkaloid | Proportion in leaves | Legal limit (Decree No. 448/2025 Coll.) |
| Mitragynin | Main alkaloid; highly variable | max. 2,5 % v balení |
| 7-hydroxymitragynin | Minor, but pharmacologically highly potent | max. 0,1 % v balení |
| Paynanthein, speciogynin, speciociliatin, mitrafylin | Secondary alkaloids | — |
This is why we test every batch in accredited laboratories (BAFA / UCT Prague) — the results are transparently available. Raw material from wild-growing trees in Indonesia is treated with gamma irradiation, which eliminates bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli without changing the alkaloid profile.
05 — Czech legislation
Legal framework from November 2025
The Czech Republic chose a path of regulation instead of prohibition. Act No. 167/1998 Coll. on addictive substances, as amended by Act No. 321/2024 Coll., created the category of psychomodulatory substances (PMS) — the first framework that regulates handling kratom while not criminalising consumers. Two key implementing regulations follow from this law:
- Decree No. 448/2025 Coll. — requirements for quality, composition, packaging, labelling and mandatory warnings
- Government Regulation No. 456/2025 Coll. — list of PMS (kratom and kratom extract), effective from 12 November 2025
Sale is permitted exclusively in licensed specialised stores with a valid authorisation from the Ministry of Health of the Czech Republic under Section 33c of the Act. We hold such a licence. A detailed explanation is available in our legislative overview.
06 — Product range
Kratom varieties available at Plody Země
Kratom is traditionally classified by the colour of the leaf veins, which reflects a different alkaloid profile influenced by the age, origin and processing method of the raw material. Each manufacturer has its own unique processes and names, which are not fully standardised; it is therefore important to read the accompanying information and not rely solely on the general name.
We offer it in powder, crushed leaf and tablet form — all in stock, dispatched within 24 hours.
Not sure where to start? Try our sample packs — a convenient way to explore different alkaloid profiles without committing to a larger purchase.
07 — Plody Země
Why buy from Plody Země?
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Czech Ministry of Health licence — Authorisation for the production and sale of PMS under Section 33c of the Act. Full compliance with Czech legislation.
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Accredited laboratories — Every batch is tested by BAFA/UCT Prague. Test results are publicly available.
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Certified origin — Raw material from wild-growing trees in Indonesia, processed at a certified facility in Prague.
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Gamma irradiation treatment — Elimination of Salmonella and E. coli without changing the alkaloid profile. See the processing methodology.
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Secure packaging · dispatch within 24 hours — 50 g packages with a child-resistant cap and tamper-evident seal. Everything in stock.
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Brick-and-mortar stores — Visit us in person in Hradec Králové, Pardubice, Chrudim or Trutnov.
Licensed seller · Laboratory tested · Dispatch within 24 hours
Browse our full kratom range
Notice: Kratom is not approved as a food, medicinal product or dietary supplement. This is a psychomodulatory substance. Use of this product may harm your health. Please observe the consumer information. Sale is permitted exclusively to persons over 18 years of age. See laboratory tests, terms and conditions and legislation.