With support from the Global Kratom Coalition (GKC), the American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) has published an entry for kratom (Mitragyna speciosa [Korth.] Havil.) in the online Botanical Safety Handbook, 2nd ed.
 
As with all Botanical Safety Handbook entries, the new kratom entry is based on review of published literature that documents the pharmacological and toxicological profile of this herb, as well as clinical investigations and case reports of adverse effects. The entry is based on the traditional use of kratom when consumed as fresh leaves or prepared as a tea, and not the highly concentrated kratom extract products also on the market.
    

The entry also includes information relevant to traditional use of kratom in Southeast Asia where it is indigenous to several countries, such as Cambodia, the Philippines, and Thailand.

Kratom is classified as not to be used during pregnancy (Safety Class 2b) or while nursing (Safety Class 2c) and as an herb for which clinically relevant interactions are biologically plausible (Interaction Class B). For comparison, the Botanical Safety Handbook safety classifications for kratom are the same as that of kava (Piper methysticum).

AHPA's Botanical Safety Handbook is an essential tool for anyone who manufactures, recommends, or uses herbal products. The handbook provides safety information on over 500 species of herbs, derived from data compiled from clinical trials, pharmacological and toxicological studies, medical case reports, and historical texts. All entries are reviewed by an Expert Advisory Council that includes some of the most renowned herbal and integrative medicine experts in the United States.

For more information on obtaining a subscription or purchasing a hard copy of the Botanical Safety Handbook, please visit the AHPA website.