Local culture of kratom (Mitragyna speciosa)

consumption in Kapuas Hulu district

Cite as: AIP Conference Proceedings 2563, 050026 (2022); https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0104736
Published Online: 31 October 2022

Rudy Setyo Utomo, M. Agus Wibowo, Nurmainah, et al.

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© 2022 Author(s).
Local Culture of Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) Consumption
in Kapuas Hulu District
Rudy Setyo Utomo1, a), M. Agus Wibowo2, b), Nurmainah3, c), Rusli Burhansyah4, d)
1
Research and Development Agency of West Kalimantan Province,
Jl. Dr. Sutomo No.1, Sungai Bangkong, Pontianak Kota, Pontianak, Kalimantan Barat 78113, Indonesia
2
Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematisc and Natural Sciences, Tanjungpura University,
Jl. Prof. Dr. H. Hadari Nawawi, Bansir Laut, Pontianak Tenggara, Pontianak, Kalimantan Barat 78124, Indonesia
3
Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Tanjungpura University,
Jl. Prof. Dr. H. Hadari Nawawi, Bansir Laut, Pontianak Tenggara, Pontianak, Kalimantan Barat 78124, Indonesia
4
Center for Agricultural Technology Assessment of West Kalimantan Province,
Jl. Budi Utomo No. 45, Siantan Hulu, Pontianak Utara, Pontianak, Kalimantan Barat 78241, Indonesia
a)
Corresponding author: rudystyo@gmail.com
b)
m. agusw7317@gmail.com
c)
nurmainah@pharm.untan.ac.id
d)
rburhansyah@gmail.com

Abstract. Kratom leaves (Mitragyna speciosa Korth) have been used by people in West Kalimantan, especially Kapuas
Hulu District, as local culture, for traditional medicine. This research was conducted to obtain facts and data on utilization
and complaints due to the use of kratom leaves in local culture by the people of Kapuas Hulu Regency. Data obtained by
interview using a questionnaire and the determination of the respondents is done by snowball. The relationship between
period, dose and frequency of kratom leaf consumption and complaints was searched statistically using the chi-quadrate. It
was found that 152 respondents who consumed kratom leaves. The main reason respondents consume kratom leaves to
overcome fatigue or get stamina (49%) and to treat illness 25%. Generally, 46% of respondents consume kratom leaves for
less than 1 year, although 25% of them are more than 5 years. Most of the respondents consumed kratom leaf powder at a
dose of ¼ teaspoon (0.5 g) with the highest frequency once a day (27.94%). Chi-square analysis showed that there was no
very significant relationship between the period of drinking kratom leaves and complaints, but there was a very significant
relationship between the dose of kratom leaf consumption and complaints and between the frequency of drinking kratom
leaves and complaints. There were no complaints such as symptoms of narcotics and drug users. Generally, respondents
stated that they did not experience complaints 93.42%. About 6.58% of complaints were feeling tired, drowsy and achy.

INTRODUCTION.

Kratom leaf (Mitragyna speciosa Korth) (MS) is an indigenous plant of West Kalimantan, especially in the districts
of Kapuas Hulu, Melawi, Ketapang, Sekadau, and Tayan. The leaves of this plant have been traded and play a role as
one of the community's economic income. In local culture, the leaves of this plant are often used as herbal medicines
to treat several diseases such as diarrhea, pain relief (analgesic), fever, cough, hypertension (high blood pressure),
impotence, diabetes [1,2] and anti-inflammatory [3]. In Southeast Asia, kratom is commonly used for stimulants to
strengthen endurance, analgesics (pain relievers) and sedatives [4], sex disorder, treat opioid addiction and prevent
fatigue [3-5], postpartum recovery [6]. In vivo and/or in vitro assays show MS and its active compounds have
anticancer [7], cardiovascular disease [8] and antibacterial actions [9].
Alkaloid compounds are the content in kratom leaves that play a very important role in medicine. The content of
alkaloids in kratom leaves ranges from 0.5-1.5% [10]. Mitragynine (MG) or 9-methoxy corynantheidine is the main
active alkaloid in Kratom leaves. The MG content is about 12% (w/w) of the total alkaloid content in Kratom from

The 2nd Universitas Lampung International Conference on Science, Technology, and Environment (ULICoSTE) 2021
AIP Conf. Proc. 2563, 050026-1–050026-11; https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0104736
Published by AIP Publishing. 978-0-7354-4237-5/$30.00

050026-1
Malaysia and 66% (w/w) from Kratom from Thailand [11,12]. Meanwhile, Warner et al [10] stated that the MG
content was close to 60% and 7-hydroxy mitragynine (7-HMG) was only 2% of the total alkaloid content of kratom
leaves. The level of MG content in kratom leaves from Southeast Asia varies between 0.39%-1.43% w/w [12,13].
Kratom leaves are consumed by brewing [3,5], chewed, smoked, taken in capsules [3], or for cigarettes [2].
Consumption of kratom leaves in several articles has been stated to have a stimulant effect and gives effects such as
opioids [4] and several other articles show benefits as amazing drugs [2,3]. Meireles et al [2] stated that the
consumption of high doses of kratom leaves for a long period of time has the effect of irritability, anxiety and increased
aggression, so the use of this drug freely is prohibited.
MG is the dominant alkaloid compound contained in kratom leaves. MG is said to have an antinociceptive (pain
relief) effect [14]. Other researchers stated that kratom in the new market is used in a different way from its traditional
application so kratom is referred to by many as a safe psychoactive product to improve mood, reduce pain, and can
provide benefits in opiate addiction [10]. Therefore, this research was conducted. The problem is whether the
traditional way of consuming kratom leaves by residents in the kratom-producing areas of origin has a beneficial or
detrimental effect? The purpose of this study was to find out the complaints and benefits of consuming kratom leaves
by local people in the kratom-producing areas of origin.

METHOD
The research was carried out in 2020 for 8 months from March 2020 to October 2020 with the location of Kapuas
Hulu Regency which is a place for cultivation, production, processing and trading of kratom leaves. Data obtained by
questionnaires and structured interviews. Respondents were characterized by age, gender, last education, type of work,
and residential address. The research sample was 152 respondents (n), 11 districts were selected to produce the most
kratom leaves. Respondents were tracked by the snowball method. The total population in 11 sub-districts is 145,872
people (N), so the error rate e is 0.0811 according to Slovin's equation (1):
ࡺ
࢔ ൌ (1)
૚ ൅ ࡺǤ ࢋ૛
Age respondents were grouped according to WHO Standard [15], namely: 20-24; 25-29; 30-34; 35-39; 40-44; 45-
49; 50-54; 55-59; 60-64; 65-69; and 70-74. The data are grouped into main categories, namely (1) data on the use of
kratom leaves as traditional medicines and (2) data on complaints caused by consumption of kratom leaves.
Data on the use of kratom leaves as traditional medicines, namely: (1) lowering high blood pressure, (2) relieving
pain, (3) aches and pains, (4) tiredness, (5) treating alcoholism, (6) maintaining and increasing stamina, (7) treat
impotence, (8) treat wounds, (9) relieve itching on the skin, (10) treat coughs, (11) relieve diarrhea and abdominal
pain, (12) reduce fever, (13) treat malaria, (14) treat impotence, (15) treat diabetes, and (16) others.
Complaint data are grouped into complaints commonly experienced by users and complaints such as the result of
the use of narcotics and illegal drugs, namely: (1) aches, (2) emotional, (3) sleepy, (4) fatigue, (5) anxiety, (6)
nauseous/vomit, (7) frequent colds, (8) often sickly, (9) afternoon mouth, (10) headache, (11) excessive thirst, (12)
exessive sweathing, (13) sore or bruises, ( 14) frequent nosebleeds, (15) sudden weight gain or loss, (16) seizures
without a history of epilepsy, (17) shaky, (18) flushed face and cheeks, (19) depression, and (20) no complaints.
Data on kratom leaf consumption were grouped into: (A) length of time of consumption (period), namely (1) to 1
week, (2) more than 1 week to less than 1 month (3) more than 1 month to 1 year, (4) more than 1 year to 5 years (5)
more than 5 years to 10 years, (6) more than 10 years. (B) consumption dose data, namely (1) 1/4 teaspoon (2) 1/2
teaspoon, (3) 1 teaspoon, (4) 1/2 tablespoon, (5) 1 tablespoon, and (6) more than 1 tablespoons. (C) Frequency of
consumption of kratom leaves, namely: (1) once a day, (2) twice a day, (3) three times a day, (4) more than twice a
day, (5) once a week, (6) twice a week, (7) three times a week, (8) four times a week, (9) once a month, (10) twice a
month, and (11) three times a month.
Data related to the use of kratom leaves as traditional medicine are presented proportionally. While the data on the
relationship between the use of kratom leaves and complaints were tabulated and analyzed by statistical chi-square
independence, namely: the period of consumption of kratom leaves with complaints, the dose of consumption of
kratom leaves with complaints, the frequency of consumption of kratom leaves with complaints. Chi-square equation
(2):
σሺܱ௥௖ െ  ݁௥௖ ሻଶ
ɖʹ ൌ  (2)
݁௥௖

050026-2
where: χ2 = chi-square test; Orc = observed value in row r column c; erc = expected value in row r column c. The
statistical analysis of chi-quadrate independence was carried out using the help of IBM SPSS ver 22.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Respondent characteristics
Respondents who consumed kratom leaves 152 people. Respondents consuming kratom leaves are between 15 to
74 years old (see Fig. 1). The age of most respondents consuming kratom leaves is between 35 to 39 years old.

35 160
31 142
30 140
26
120
25
19 18 100
20

people
people

17 16
80
15
60
10 8 7 40
4 3
5 2 20 10
1
0 0

male

female
15 - 19
35 - 39
45 - 49
40 - 44
30 - 34
50 - 54
20 - 24
25 - 29
55 - 59
65 - 69
60 - 64

70 - 74

FIGURE 1. Age distribution of respondents. FIGURE 2. Number of male and female respondents

There were 142 male and 10 female respondents (data in Fig. 2). The level of education, mostly 90 people
graduated from high school, 28 people graduated from junior high school, 21 people graduated from elementary
school, and 13 people graduated from college.
The distribution of the number of respondents who consume kratom leaves according to the type of work is as
follows: respondents who get income from the private sector are 67 people, farmers and fishermen are 63 people,
government employees/Police/Indonesian National Army 18 people, students/college students 2 people, labor 1
person, and not working 1 person.

Consumption of Kratom leaves

The consumption of kratom leaves has become the local wisdom of the people of Kapuas Hulu Regency for
generations. Among them are widely used for herbal remedies such as diarrhea, fever, and cough medicines. It has
been widely used in the last 10 years, especially to overcome fatigue/tiredness and increase work ethic. Several
respondents revealed that 49% (74 people) regularly consume kratom leaves and 51% (78 people) not regularly.

The purpose of consuming kratom leaves

Certain conditions that make respondents consume kratom leaves include being tired after working hard at 68%,
treating illness 21% and joining friends when they gather at the shop 10%. Many of the respondents who consume
kratom leaves regularly every morning or evening or every day in the morning and evening, some even drink in 1 day
3 times regularly. The highest consumption goals are to gain 49% stamina, maintain 26% health and treat illness as
much as 25%. There was no goal to change the habit of drinking alcohol even though the respondent accidentally
stopped drinking alcoholic beverages for those who used to drink alcohol.
The most common way to consume kratom leaves is usually brewed with hot water as much as 50%. It is consumed
by boiling water and drinking as much as 48%. While the powder is applied or sprinkled on the skin as much as 2%.

050026-3
The sprinkling of kratom leaf powder on the skin is intended for external treatment such as itching and wounds due to
incisions or external wounds that cause infection of the skin.

Kratom leaf consumption period

Respondents consumed kratom leaves in periods ranging from less than 1 week to more than 10 years. In general,
respondents have consumed kratom leaves for less than 1 year as much as 46% and less than 10 years (more than 5
years) as much as 25% in the second, and less than 5 years or more than 1 year as much as 14%. There are also
consumers of kratom leaves whose consumption period has exceeded more than 10 years as much as 3%. The
consumption period data is shown in Fig. 3.
50% 46%
45%
40%
35%
30% 25%
25%
20% 14%
15%
10% 8%
3% 3%
5%
0%
less than 1 less than 1 less than 1 less than 5 less than 10 more than 10
week ago month ago year ago years ago years ago years

FIGURE 3. Consumption period (long) of kratom leaves

The form of kratom leaves consumed is generally dry leaf powder. Usually the size of this powder is filtered with
a cloth so that the dried leaves into grains smaller and equal to 0.3 mm pass through a stainless steel filter. On the
other hand, many also consume fresh leaves in the form of sheets which are usually boiled with water and the water
is drunk after it has cooled.
60% 51%
50%
40% 31%
30%
18%
20%
10%
0%
powder crumb fresh leaves

FIGURE 4. Size of kratom leaves consumed by respondents

The shape of the leaf grain size consumed by the respondents is shown in the data in fig. 4. The form of powder
or flour consumed reached 51% of respondents, the next was the consumption of fresh leaves as much as 31% and the
lowest consumption was in the form of crumbs. Crumbs are dry leaves that are usually kneaded by hand or with a
chopping machine so that their size becomes finely small but larger than powder.

Dosage of kratom leaves consumption

Comparison of leaf shape consumed by respondents with dry leaf powder was mostly 48.87%, crumbs were 19.0%
and leaf sheets were 32.13%. From the consumption of leaf powder, the most common dose taken by respondents was
teaspoon (0.52 g) 27.78%, although more than 1 tablespoon (4.47 g) was also frequent (25.93%). The dose of 1

050026-4
tablespoon or more than 1 tablespoon is the dose that is generally used irregularly to consume kratom leaves or to be
drunk by more than 1 person.
Consumption of kratom leaves in the form of crumbs (coarser than powder size) was 19% of the total kratom
drinker respondents' statements. The dose of consumption of kratom leaves in the form of crumbs is more than 1
tablespoon as much as 24%. Medium for consumption of teaspoon (0.72 g) and teaspoon at the proportion of 21%
each. The dose of consumption 1 tablespoon (2.88 g) 14%. The least consumption of crumbs is tablespoon as much
as 2%.
The respondents who consumed fresh leaf sheets were 32.13%. The highest number of leaves consumed was 2 to
5 fresh kratom leaves, boiled and after cooling the water was drunk (49.30%). Water for boiling is generally less than
1 liter of clean water. If the leaves are boiled 6 to 10 sheets as much as 25.35% with the amount of water to dissolve
is 1 to 2 liters. Doses of more than 10 kratom leaves are usually used for several drinks in a few days or taken by more
than 1 person.
The frequency of drinking kratom leaves by respondents was 1 day 1 time by 27.94%, the next 1 week 4 times
11.27%, 1 month 3 times 10.78%, 1 month 2 times 10.29% and 1 month 1 time 10.29%. The highest frequency is 1
day 3 times as much as 0.98%. The proportion of kratom leaf consumers who drink it by mixing it with other
ingredients is 39.88% and not mixed with other ingredients is more than 60.12%. The mixture that is commonly used
is honey with 52.76%, coffee as much as 3.68%, lime 1.23%, and tea, 0.61%, while other mixtures 1.23% are ginger
or palm sugar.

The use of kratom leaves as traditional medicine

Kapuas Hulu Regency is a source of kratom leaf production so that many people consume kratom leaves. Consume
in the form of powder, crumbs and fresh leaves. People say kratom leaves are used in various treatments to maintain
and increase stamina, overcome fatigue, reduce high blood pressure, relieve aches and pains, treat wounds, relieve
pain, relieve diarrhea and abdominal pain, treat diabetes, treat alcoholism, treat coughs, treat malaria, treat impotence,
relieve itching on the skin, and reduce fever.

maintain and increase stamina 129

reduce fatigue 83
lowering high blood pressure 61
treat stiff 53
treat wound 34
relieves pain 28
relieves diarrhea and abdominal pain 27
treat diabetes 15
treat alcohol addiction 14
others 13
treat coughs 11
treat malaria 10
sexual reason 10
relieve itching on the skin 9
reduce fever 7

0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140

statement

FIGURE 5. Community statements using kratom leaves for medicine

Of the many statements on the benefits of consuming kratom leaves, the most are for getting stamina or fitness
25.6% (out of 504 statements), overcoming fatigue 16.47%, lowering high blood pressure by 12.10%, relieving aches
10.52% , and treat wounds 6.75%. Other uses are to relieve pain 5.56%, relieve abdominal pain and diarrhea 5.36%,
treat diabetes 2.98%, treat alcoholism addiction 2.78%, treat coughs 2.18%, treat malaria 1.98%, sexual reasons
1.98%, relieve itching on the skin 1.79% and reduce fever 1.39%. Data on the number of statements for each disease
treatment can be seen in Fig. 5.

050026-5
 These statements are in accordance with the statement of local wisdom in Malaysia. Some Malaysians who
consume kratom leaves state that Kratom increases strength, lowers blood pressure, treats diarrhea, as an anxiolytic,
and antidiabetic [16]. Veltri and Grundmann [4] also stated observations of the traditional use of Kratom leaves as a
wound dressing, to reduce fever, and to reduce symptoms of opium and heroin addiction [4]. Proof of anti-pain
properties was carried out by Mossadeq et al [17] and Goh et al [7], methanol extract of kratom leaves has strong
analgesic, antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory properties in mice. The ethanol extract contains bioactive indole
alkaloids, namely mitragynine and paynantheine and flavonols, namely quercetin and rutin [7].
In Western countries, Veltri and Grundmann [4] reported that most respondents use Kratom to relieve acute or
chronic pain and to reduce emotional and mental stress, increase energy, increase focus, improve depressed mood,
reduce anxiety levels, and reduce stress or stop using opioids.
As a traditional medicine for wounds and diarrhea or stomach pain, it has been tested, kratom leaf extract has
antibacterial activity, including against Aeromonas hydrophilla [18], Salmonella typhi and Bacillus subtilis [9],
Staphylococcus epidermidis [19], and antifungal of Schizophyllum commune [20].

Complaints due to consumption of kratom leaves

Several types of complaints expressed by respondents consuming ktratom leaves are shown in the data of Fig. 6.
More kratom leaf consumer respondents stated that they did not experience complaints 93% (142 people, data in Fig.
6a) and 7% stated that they complained (10 people). Common complaints stated by respondents are feel tired (6.24%),
sleepy (5.81%), aches and pains 5.81% and nausea or vomiting 4.65% (data in Fig. 6b). Feeling tired, sleepy, sore and
aches and pains are closely related to the work activities of the respondents. Singh et al [21] in Malaysia reported high
consumption of kratom decoction of three or more glasses per day indicating severe levels of fatigue when
discontinuing kratom use. In a subsequent study Singh et al [22] also reported participants experiencing more sleep
problems during kratom discontinuation [22]. Negative symptoms from the side effects of using kratom leaves are
also expressed as nausea and vomiting [5]. The same thing was revealed by Singh et al [23] to a 62-year-old woman
who vomited heavily after ingesting 2 tablespoons of kratom leaves.
Some complaints due to drinking kratom leaves that look like symptoms of consuming narcotics and illegal drugs
include nausea and vomiting, weight gain, excessive sweating, excessive thirst, headaches and frequent pain, each of
which is 1 statement, except for nausea and vomiting 8 statements (Fig. 6b). Nausea and vomiting usually occur
immediately after drinking kratom leaves, usually occurring in respondents who suffer from ulcers or after drinking
alcohol. Other symptoms such as the use of narcotics and illegal drugs that are not stated by kratom leaf users are
depression, irritability, anxiety, flushed face and cheeks, shaking, seizures without a history of epilepsy, frequent
nosebleeds, skin such as cuts and bruises, sore mouth, and frequent nosebleeds cold. Although this statement was also
asked to the respondent. Complaints of sleep disturbances were also stated by Benjamin et al [24] such as due to opioid
consumption. The statement of addiction to the consumption of kratom leaves was not found, even in the respondents
who had consumed it for more than 10 years.

statement of complaining or not the

respondent
no complaints 142

state a complaint 10

- 50 100 150
number of respondent
a

050026-6
 no complaint 128
feel tired 11
sleepy 10
aches and pain 10
nausea and vomiting 8
sudden weight gain or loss 1
excessive sweating 1
excessive thirst 1
headache 1
often sick 1
depression 0
blushing face and cheeks 0
Shaky 0
seizures without a history of epilepsy 0
frequent nosebleeds 0
skin sores or bruises 0
sore mouth 0
frequent colds 0
anxiety 0
emotional 0
0 50 100 150
number of statement
b
FIGURE 6. The number of respondent statements: a. who stated that there were complaints and no
complaints, b. a common complaint and complaints such as symptoms of consumption of narcotics
and illegal drugs
So far, no incidents of death or toxicity directly related to kratom use have been reported in Asian countries [25].
Some rules for consumption and distribution of kratom vary in different countries. MS, mitragynine, or 7-
hydroxymitragynine is controlled only in a small number of European Union (EU) Member States, such as Denmark,
Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania and Sweden. Kratom is also largely uncontrolled in the US, with only a few states
controlling such as Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, and Massachusetts [25]. The main pharmacologically active alkaloid in
kratom leaves is mitragynine (MG) [26,12]. Mitragynine is an indole alkaloid compound [26]. In young leaves of M.
speciosa, obtained mitragynine as the main constituent (66.2%) of alkaloid compounds, speciogynine (6.6%),
speciociliatine (0.8%), paynantheine (8.6%) and 7α-hydroxy-7H-mitragynine as constituents. minor (2.0%) [27]. MG
plays a major role as an antinociceptive agent [26]. The content of mitragynine in MS leaves varies according to
geographic location and season. It is known that the mitragynine content of M. speciosa in the Thai variety is 66% of
the total alkaloids, while the Malaysian variety only contains 12% of the total alkaloids [28]. Thus the pharmacological
effect varies according to the proportion of alkaloid compounds present, related to geographic origin, stage of maturity
and ecotype [12].

The relationship between consumption of kratom leaves and their complaints

The results of statistical analysis of the chi-square test of independence of the relationship between the period of
consumption of kratom leaves and their complaints showed that there was not a very significant difference (Table 1).
Most respondents stated that 123 people did not experience complaints, 43 people who experienced complaints with
the main complaint feeling tired (11 people), sleepy 10 people, achy 9 people and nausea or vomiting 8 people. Nausea
or vomiting is usually experienced when the respondent has just drank kratom leaves, after drinking alcohol or
suffering from ulcer disease before. The most complaints were experienced by respondents who consumed kratom
leaves in the period of less than 1 year to more than 5 years and less than 10 years as shown in Table 2. Table 2 does
not show different patterns between consumption periods and the main complaints, namely fatigue, sleepy, ache. ,
and nausea/vomiting.

050026-7
 The results of the chi-square test of the relationship between the dose of kratom leaf consumption and their
complaints showed a very significant difference, as shown in Table 1. Meanwhile, Table 3 shows that most
respondents who consumed kratom leaves at a dose of teaspoon did not experience any complaints. At the
consumption dose of 1 tablespoon of kratom leaf powder and more, there are complaints of sleepy and fatigue. Of the
52 respondents who did not experience complaints as many as 32 people and who experienced complaints as many
as 20 people, most of them complained of sleepy, fatigue and nausea or vomiting.
TABLE 1. Chi-square tests of relationship of the kratom leaf consumption with their complaints

Relationship Sig-α 0.05 df value of Pearson χ2 χ2 table Statement

Consumption period 0.089 45 58.229 61.656 Relationship is not
vs complaints very significant
Dosage consumption 0.000 40 87.387 55.758 Relationship is very
vs complaints significant
Frequency of 0.000 80 187.789 101.879 Relationship is very
consumption and significant
complaints
TABLE 2. The relationship between the period of consumption of kratom leaves and their complaints

complaint
Exes- sudden
Period Nausea- Exces-
often Head- sive weight no com- Total
aches sleepy fatigue ous/ sive
sickly ache swe- gain or plaints
vomit thirst
athing loss
less
than 1
1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 3 6
week
ago
less
than 1
1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 11 13
moth
ago
less
than 1
4 3 8 5 0 0 1 1 1 56 79
year
ago
less
than 5
2 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 19 23
years
ago
less
than
10 1 5 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 31 39
years
ago
more
than
0 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 3 6
10
years
Total 9 10 11 8 1 1 1 1 1 123 166

050026-8
 TABLE 3. The relationship between the dose of kratom leaf consumption and the complaints

complaint
Exes- sudden
Dosage Nau- Exces- no Total
Fati- often sive weight
aches sleepy seous/ sive com-
gue sickly swea- gain or
vomit thirst plaints
thing loss
1/4 teaspoon 3 4 0 5 0 0 0 0 106 118
1/2 teaspoon 3 0 7 0 1 0 0 0 29 40
1 teaspoon 2 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 20 26
1/2
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1
tablespoon
1 tablespoon 2 1 3 3 0 1 1 1 8 20
more than 1
0 5 2 1 0 0 0 0 24 32
tablespoon
Total 10 12 14 9 1 1 1 1 188 237

For kratom leaf drinkers at a dose of teaspoon, most of them did not experience complaints (the ratio of those who
did not complain compared to those who complained was 90%: 10%). The highest complaints were experienced by
consumers who consumed 1 tablespoon of kratom leaf powder and more than 1 tablespoon (ratio of those who did not
complain/who complained = 40% to 75%/60% to 25%), the complaints were sleepy, fatigue and nauseous/ vomit.
TABLE 4. The relationship between the frequency of consumption of kratom leaves with complaints

complaint
Of- Exes- sudden
Frequency Nau- Exces- no Total
Fati- ten sive weight
aches Sleepy seous/ sive com-
gue sick- swea- gain or
vomit thirst plaints
ly thing loss
three
times a 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 2 3
day
twice a
0 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 7 10
day
once a
4 6 3 3 1 0 0 0 42 59
day
four times
0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 20 22
a week
three
times a 0 2 1 1 0 0 0 1 17 22
week
twice a
0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 8 9
week
once a
0 1 1 2 0 0 1 0 14 19
week
three
times a 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 20 23
month
twice a
5 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 16 23
month
once a
1 0 2 2 0 0 0 0 42 47
month
Total 10 12 14 9 1 1 1 1 188 237

050026-9
 The results of the chi-quadrate test of the relationship between the frequency of consumption of kratom leaves
with complaints showed that there was a very significant relationship, as shown in Table 1. Most respondents stated
that they had no complaints with the consumption of kratom leaves (Table 4). The ratio of respondents who have
complaints/no complaints is 9-33%/67-91%. The highest complaint was on the frequency of drinking kratom leaves
three times a day. The most complaints in this frequency and dose were sleepiness (6 statements), aches and fatigue,
4 and 3 statements, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Kratom leaves are used by the people of Kapuas Hulu Regency as a medicine to maintain and increase stamina,
overcome fatigue, reduce high blood pressure, relieve aches, treat wounds, relieve pain, relieve diarrhea and stomach
pain, treat diabetes, treat alcohol addiction, treat coughs, treat malaria, treat sex disorder, relieve skin itching, and
reduce fever. Generally, people who consume kratom leaves experience no complaints, few experience complaints.
These complaints are feeling tired, sleepy and stiff.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The authors express their gratitude to the Research and Development Agency of West Kalimantan Province that
supported the fund for this research.

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