You may have heard that kratom can treat chronic pain, and other debilitating symptoms like fatigue, insomnia, and depression. But did you know this plant from Southeast Asia could serve as an immune system booster in general? Read on to find out how kratom affects the immune system.
Benefits of Kratom
Kratom is most often used by North Americans for its pain relief properties. In a day and age where opioids are often and arguably over-prescribed, the American and Canadian health organizations have seen disturbingly high rates of opioid dependence, addiction, and death.
Natural alternatives or supplements like kratom (cannabis is another example) are being explored for their analgesic benefits because they could offer a safer, less addictive option for people who require medications over the long-term, to treat chronic pain and similar conditions.
Kratom’s ability to ease chronic pain is actually linked to its ability to support the immune system: pain causes stress, anxiety, interrupted sleep, and other side effects that interrupt the body’s ability to maintain good health.
What is the Immune System?
The immune system is the body’s first line of defense against infection.
Poor health can arise when someone’s immune system reacts sluggishly, or not at all. Alternately, the immune system can overreact, mistaking normal or healthy substances as foreign invaders. Both these situations interfere with optimal wellness.
Can Kratom Improve My Immune System?
Kratom has the special ability to work on many levels at once, making it a good one-stop choice for a number of symptoms and relieving some patients of the handful of pills they required before.
If you find yourself catching a cold (or catching your third cold of the season), kratom might be able to help kick up your immune system, reminding it to stop watching Netflix and start fighting off infections. On a prevention level, taking a regular microdose of kratom could keep your immune system in tip-top shape so next season the cold or flu just passes you by.
Immune-Boosting Alkaloids in Kratom
It is the alkaloids in kratom that provide most of the plant’s therapeutic effects, and this is also true in the case of immune system protection. Here are some of the alkaloids scientists believe have immunostimulant properties:
- Isomitraphylline: may also serve as an anti-leukemic agent
- Isopteropodine: primarily an immunostimulant
- Isorhynchopylline: primarily an immunostimulant
- Mitraphylline: non-narcotic; also antihypertensive, and a diuretic and muscle relaxant
Kratom could help strengthen the immune system.
Can Kratom Cause Immune System Problems?
There aren’t many reports of kratom causing problems with the immune system through its side effects. Generally, as long as small amounts are used as infrequently as possible (or with breaks being taken at regular intervals), kratom’s side effects are quite minor. However, if you begin taking kratom and notice any strange health issues arise, you should speak to a medical professional or take a kratom break to see if the symptoms clear up.
It’s also important to bear in mind that over-use of kratom could result in tolerance that might interfere with the plant’s ability to assist the immune system. Again, regular breaks and small amounts are the best way to avoid this issue!
Best Kratom Strains for Immune System Problems
Most strains of kratom powder or kratom leaf have the potential to positively impact the immune effects noted above. But here are three particularly powerful kratom strains that could improve your ability to fend off viruses and infection!
Has kratom helped your immune system? We’d love to hear your story – fill us in in the comments, or connect with us on social media!
Disclaimer: There is little published scientific research on kratom at this time. The potential benefits of kratom outlined in this article and on this website are based largely on anecdotal reports from people who use kratom. Please research all avenues fully before beginning any kind of natural self-treatment, and speak to a medical professional, especially if you are already taking medication. Original Harvest is not a medical site and this article and all articles on this site are provided for educational purposes and interest only.
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This article is very interesting! I have Lupus and my body is attacking my brain. I am on immunosuppresent drugs currently and steroids. I will have blood work done in about a week. Not sure if I should stop using Kratom or not, I guess the blood work will make that decision. If you are interested I can let you know.
Thanks for getting in touch, Adrienne. How terrible – Lupus is a dreadful disease and so unpredictable. I hope you find something that helps your symptoms, and if it turns out to be kratom, that’s definitely some anecdotal evidence thousands of people would be happy to know (and if it doesn’t work, that’s always good info, too)!
Did you find out if kratom is a positive or negative. I have sarcoidosis and am wondering if Kratom could be helpful.
I have Lupus too and it’s also attacking my brain. I feel like the Kratom reactivated my Lupus because my hair started falling out and my glands are swollen. What did your blood test say?
How did your blood work turn out? I now have Sjogren’s and I only take a small amount out green harmony Kratom. I don’t want to immune boost. It does help my fatigue and pain
I have been on kratom for five years now and have regular blood tests done, I have always had normal levels come back, on everything. It has really helped me with my long term pain and neurologic disorder.