By now, most of us have heard of Kratom — whether from patients, social media, or simply seeing it in stores. But concerns about its safety and effectiveness remain. Kratom is an herbal extract from the leaves of Mitragyna speciosa, an evergreen tree native to Southeast Asia. Traditionally, Kratom leaves have been consumed through smoking, chewing, or tea. Kratom contains both opioid-like properties and some stimulant-like effects.