This Plant Is Changing Lives, and It's Not Weed

It’s official: cannabis legalization has completely changed the wellness paradigm.

It’s become a tidal wave that is upending public perceptions regarding the responsible use of plant-based substances.

This evolving landscape has prompted new discussions about how to use all-natural supplements to enhance everyday life. One company that is leading the charge amidst the herbal revolution is Kats Botanicals, a US-based supplier of unique, plant-derived products that are quickly catching on as alternatives to traditional wellness enhancers.

Among these products is something called Kratom—the informal name of the plant species Mitragyna Speciosa. It is not a stretch to say that Kratom is positively changing the lives of millions of people throughout the world, and in this article, we’re going to explain why this is happening by tapping the expertise of Kats Botanicals Founder and CEO, Justin Kats.

“Will This Stuff Make Me Stoned?”

Before we get too far into any discussion about Kratom, it’s worth noting that this plant is not at all related to the cannabis plant. Whereas cannabis and hemp are taxonomically related plants (cannabis contains THC, whereas hemp does not), Kratom is more closely related to the coffee plant than anything else.

The Kratom plant is native to southeast Asia in places like Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand. In these tropical environments, Kratom trees have been naturally growing for millennia, and the cultural use of Kratom tree leaves dates back to at least the early 1800s.

“Kratom has long been known as an incredibly potent wellness enhancer with a broad range of positive effects,” says Kats, “Originally, it was used by laborers to help them endure long hours of work in harsh conditions. Today, millions of people are taking advantage of the Kratom plant by brewing it into a tea, mixing it with their morning coffee, or taking the powder in capsule form.”

Justin Kats founded Kats Botanicals in 2016 when he noticed a lack of high-quality, effective botanical supplements on the market. When he founded his company, the then-nascent cannabis legalization boom helped to pave the way for broad-scale adoption of novel ways of using plants to improve overall quality of life.

“Kratom has completely changed the game,” Justin continues, “I can’t tell you how many people reach out to us every day and thank us for being a source of such a powerful, life-changing herb. I tell everyone I can about it and not just because my company sells it. I truly believe in the product.”

...and before you get worried thinking Kratom will have you couch-locked watching reruns of Beavis and Butthead all day, worry not: Kratom won’t make you stoned.

Depending on the strain you take—there are three main ones: White Vein, Red Vein, and Green Vein—effects can range from promoting feelings of tranquility and comfort to restoring balance and bolstering optimism.

Kratom Is As Kratom Does

Ok...so, we know that taking Kratom can have a variety of positive effects for the user. But, is it for everyone?

“For those who are new to Kratom,” Justin says, “we always suggest starting with a small serving size to determine how your body is going to react to it. There are two main plant alkaloids in Kratom: Mitragynine and 7-Hydroxymitragynine. It’s the balance of these alkaloids along with another handful of supplemental ones that generate the positive feelings Kratom users get.”

As with any supplement you might be considering, it’s highly recommended that you consult with your physician before adding anything new to your daily regimen. The same rings true for Kratom.

That being said, many consumers are starting to realize that not just humans can benefit from taking a little Kratom. Kats Botanicals recently released their Kratom Soft Chews for Dogs, bacon-flavored, Kratom-infused canine treats which have been incredibly well-received by the Kats Botanicals customer base.

Justin Kats elaborates: “Just like Cannabidiol—or CBD—Kratom has benefits that can be enjoyed by pets, too. Many dogs that experience a wide variety of challenges can lead better, more active lives through the controlled addition of Kratom to their diets. And, I’m proud to say, Kats Botanicals was the first company to bring Kratom-infused dog treats to market. The responses we’re getting from pet owners has been overwhelmingly positive, and we’ve received numerous testimonials already from pet parents that have given their dog these chews.”

A Word on Quality

After learning about Kratom, it’s tempting to hop online and place an order with the first Kratom supplier you find on Google.

Justin Kats provides this cautionary bit of advice.

“Not all Kratom is created equal. There is a growing cottage industry of Kratom suppliers that do nothing but import bulk quantities of Kratom powder from overseas and then just turn around and sell it to consumers here in the US without doing any quality control whatsoever. This is a real problem.”

“Independent, third-party lab testing is of paramount importance, as Kratom powder can be vulnerable to inclusions of mold, heavy metals, and pathogens. At Kats Botanicals, we invest heavily in stringent laboratory testing, the results of which our customers can see for themselves by scanning their Kratom packaging using their mobile device. This is the kind of transparency we feel like we owe to our customers.”

Lab testing isn’t the only way Kats Botanicals separates itself from the competition. The company also heat pasteurizes every international shipment they receive immediately after it hits their docks. Additionally, Kats Botanicals is one of the few Kratom suppliers that have earned the distinction of being a cGMP-certified Kratom company acknowledged by the American Kratom Association (AKA).

The Current Good Manufacturing Practices designation is earned only when a Kratom supplier is inspected by a representative of the AKA and shown to meet their standards for safety, cleanliness, and quality assurance protocols.

Getting Started with Kratom

For those interested in trying Kratom for themselves, Justin Kats has agreed to a special offer just for Riverfront Times readers.

Kats Botanicals is offering a 15%-off site-wide discount with the use of the coupon code RIVER15.

“There’s a lot to love about Kratom, CBD, Turmeric, and the wide variety of botanical products we sell,” Justin concludes, “If you can quickly start feeling better by using plant-based products, why wouldn’t you?”

To learn more about Kats Botanicals, visit them online at www.KatsBotanicals.com.