Botanicals are booming, and two titans—mitragyna speciosa and kava—lead the charge. Here at Herba Re-Leaf, we adore both. From our Northeast PA kava bar roots to your online cart,  we’re here to break down the big question: what sets these relaxation champs apart—and can they play nice? We dove into some research to bring you some cold hard facts on the two tropical titans and compare them side by side. 

1. Origins and Cultural Roots

Kava (Piper methysticum), a 3,000-year-old Pacific icon, rules Polynesia, Melanesia, and Micronesia (Lebot, pp. 8-15); and its strong position in these cultures stands firmly to this day. More than a drink, it’s a social, spiritual, and economic MVP—think rituals, shared shells, and a bar-culture swap for the West.

Mitragyna speciosa (Mitragyna speciosa) rules Southeast Asia’s jungles—Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia—a centuries-deep secret (Raffa, 2014 ) that has burst into Western culture in the last few decades. A chew-and-go boost vs. kava’s sip-and-bond, bigger doses turn it into relaxation central.

While Kava is central to many rituals and ceremonies across the various cultures it has had an impact on, mitragyna speciosa has been known as a ‘working man’s aide’ for a very long time. It has been said that fishermen would chew raw mitragyna speciosa leaves to get through long overnight shifts, and field workers who performed strenuous labor in the hot jungle sun would utilize it for energy and relief from intense physical labor. 

Mitragyna speciosa has traditionally been known as a solo stamina boost (chew and go) vs. kava’s group unwind (sip and bond). That is, until more recently (within the last 100 years) when people realized that larger servings of mitragyna speciosa, as well as various finishing techniques, meant that it could also serve as an effective and enjoyable relaxation tool. In short, most consumers agree that smaller servings of mitragyna speciosa and its active alkaloids (Mitragynine and the secondary alkaloids [outlined in our blog post The Hidden Heroes of Mitragyna speciosa: Why Minor Alkaloids Matter When Choosing Your Botanicals]) will give the consumer a boost of energy, larger servings will provide a relaxing effect and even sedation if desired. 

2. Effects & Active Compounds

Kava’s chill flows from kavalactones—what many call ‘sedative stars’- and in a 2011 ADHD and anxiety study (Sarris et al., 2011) research shows that they hit GABA receptors for a smooth, non-addictive calm—think social lightness, no booze blur.

Mitragyna speciosa’s a wild card—energy or chill, daily consumers have agreed that the dose size decides. Mitragynine (1-2% of the leaf) drives the experience: with low amounts giving a burst of natural energy, and larger ones melting stress away (Raffa, 2014). Start slow—your sweet spot’s yours alone.

Mitragyna speciosa lacks kava’s cultural crown but stands tall. Why fight? They’re your botanical dream team—energy, chill, or a social sip. Herba Re-Leaf’s got both. 

Sources: 

Kava: The Pacific Elixir by Vincent Lebot, Mark Merlin, and Lamont Lindstrom (1997).

Mitragyna speciosa and Other Mitragynines: The Chemistry and Pharmacology of Opioids from a Non-Opium Source by Robert B. Raffa (2014, CRC Press).

“Complementary medicines in the treatment of ADHD” (Sarris et al., 2011, DOI: 10.1016/j.ctim.2011.06.007)