From the NST June 16:
DEWAN RAKYAT, June 16: The herb daun ketom has effects similar to morphine but to a lesser extent, an Institute of Medical Research study has shown.
The study on the plant, which is widely believed to be addictive, has been carried out since 1990, said Health Minister Datuk Chua Jui Meng in a written reply to Zawawi Ahmad (Pas-Padang Terap).
Zawawi had asked if daun ketom was addictive and a health hazard.
Chua said one of the main chemical compounds isolated from the plant, called "mitragynine", had shown effects similar to that of morphine.
It could cause hallucinations similar to those induced by morphine and can cause stimulation, unlike morphine.
The Health Ministry also carried out tests on the effects on the daun ketom on 54 users in 1994 and it was found that the majority used it to get off heroin or morphine addictions, he said.
Others used it as an energising tonic, de-worming and cough medication.
The study found that users showed only a low level of addiction and the use of daun ketom was not always detrimental, he added.
However, Chua said much more research had to be conducted into the effects of long-term use of the plant.
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So what does this plant look like? I googled for an image and came up with this:
which takes one to this article from FRIM. So does it mean the Government may ban backyard cultivation of this plant? I predict this will be the next big thing after Tongkat Ali with food and drinks claiming to be spiced with an extract of "Daun Ketum".
As the good Minister alluded, much more research needs to be done. But I suspect greed will lead to marketing before good scientific studies what more any clinical studies.
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