This episode is going to be more interesting than many of the herbs we have looked at. We will be looking at probably one of the most controversial herbs today: kratom or Mitragyna speciosa. It is supposed to have pain relieving properties and is banned or almost banned in many developed countries. As always, we will do our deep dive into this herb of the world and look at its traditional uses, its preparation, interactions, and cautions. And, as usual, we will be adding something a little different…we are going to discuss opioids and opioid receptors. Each episode of the podcast will go into great depth about a single herb or formula. Besides covering the basics of herbology including category, and functions, we will explore the history, quality, science, pharmacology, evidence, and any potential interactions of each herb or formula. Please join us in another fascinating exploration into the exciting and potentially dangerous archeology of herbs…please don your cool hat, bring your whip, and join us in the herbal jungle!