What is kratom similar to, and which could be the best kratom alternative for your individual needs and preferences? Understanding various plant-based alternatives might help you discover suitable options that could complement or replace your current wellness routine while potentially offering similar benefits through different botanical approaches.

Kratom alternative chart

Here are the kratom alternatives that we think are the best options. Read more below to find out what to take instead of kratom for your specific needs, depending on which of the different types of kratom you already use.

Plants and herbs like kratom

Alternative	Best for
Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera)	Stress reduction, hormone balance, endurance
CBD (Cannabidiol)	Pain relief, relaxation, anxiety reduction
Coffee	Quick energy, alertness, productivity
Combretum Quadrangulare (Sakae Naa)	Energy boost, focus, mild stimulation (like energizing kratom strains)
Ginseng (Panax Ginseng, Korean Ginseng)	Vitality, stamina, immune support, natural energy
Incarvillea Sinensis (Hardy Gloxinia)	Pain relief, muscle relaxation, sleep support
Kava (Piper Methysticum)	Relaxation, anti-anxiety, social ease (similar to red kratom strains)
Matcha (Green Tea Powder)	Sustained energy, focus, antioxidants
Mitragyna Hirsuta (Kra Thum Khok)	Mild pain relief, gentle stimulation (closest to kratom but weaker)
Mitragyna Javanica (Mitragyna Diversifolia, Kra Thum Na)	Relaxation, stress reduction, sleep support (milder kratom relative)
Nymphaea Caerulea (Blue Lotus)	Calm, mild euphoria, relaxation
Picralima Nitida (Akuamma Seed)	Pain relief, muscle relaxation (kratom-like aches substitute)
Ptychopetalum Olacoides (Muira Puama)	Libido, stamina, mild energy support
Rhodiola Rosea (Golden Root, Arctic Root)	Stress resilience, energy, focus, fatigue reduction
Sceletium Tortuosum (Kanna)	Mood enhancement, stress relief, mild euphoria
Turmeric (Curcuma Longa)	Anti-inflammatory support, joint health, general wellness
Valerian Root (Valeriana Officinalis)	Sleep aid, relaxation, anxiety relief

Here’s our full list of the best kratom alternatives:

Understanding what is similar to kratom might help users explore the best kratom alternatives that could suit their individual wellness goals and specific lifestyle needs. Many of these botanicals are often used as functional beverage ingredients in modern wellness applications and natural health products.

Here are 17 good alternatives to kratom:

Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera)

Ashwagandha might serve as a kratom substitute for users seeking stress management and adaptogenic support. This ancient herb could potentially help users manage cortisol levels and might offer endurance benefits that some users report finding valuable for daily wellness routines. Users suggest that ashwagandha might provide gentle energy support without the stimulating effects that some kratom strains could offer.

CBD (Cannabidiol)

CBD might appeal to users seeking relaxation and discomfort management alternatives that could complement their wellness approaches. This non-psychoactive compound could potentially offer anti-inflammatory properties and might help with sleep quality that some users report finding beneficial. Users often explore CBD for its potential calming effects that might align with certain kratom applications.

Combretum Quadrangulare (Sakae Naa)

Sakae Naa might offer energizing effects that could appeal to users of stimulating kratom varieties. This Thai plant could potentially provide focus enhancement and mild stimulation that some users suggest might be suitable for productivity and mental clarity goals. Users report that Sakae Naa might offer a gentler alternative to stronger stimulating botanicals.

Coffee

Coffee might provide familiar energy enhancement for users seeking quick alertness and productivity support. This widely available option could offer immediate stimulating effects that might suit morning routines and work-focused applications. Interested in learning more about this comparison? See our kratom vs coffee article for detailed insights into how these options might differ in their applications and effects.

Ginseng (Panax Ginseng, Korean Ginseng)

Ginseng might offer vitality and stamina support that could appeal to users seeking natural energy enhancement. This traditional herb could potentially support immune function and might provide sustained energy that some users report finding more balanced than caffeine-based alternatives. Users suggest that ginseng might offer adaptogenic benefits for stress resilience and overall wellness.

Incarvillea Sinensis (Hardy Gloxinia)

Hardy Gloxinia might appeal to users seeking relaxation and muscle tension relief that could support evening wellness routines. This lesser-known botanical could potentially offer gentle sedating properties that some users suggest might be suitable for sleep preparation and recovery applications. Users report that this plant might provide calming effects without overwhelming sedation.

Kava (Piper Methysticum)

Kava might serve as one of the herbs similar to kratom for users seeking relaxation and social ease that could enhance evening activities. This Pacific Island root could potentially offer anxiety-reducing properties and might provide the social lubrication that some users report finding valuable for stress management. For detailed comparisons, explore our kava vs kratom guide to understand how these botanicals might differ in their applications.

Matcha (Green Tea Powder)

Matcha might offer sustained energy and focus enhancement that could appeal to users seeking productivity support without jitters. This powdered green tea could potentially provide L-theanine benefits alongside caffeine that some users suggest might offer smoother energy curves than coffee. For fitness applications, check our kratom for workouts and kratom vs matcha articles for comprehensive comparisons.

Mitragyna Hirsuta (Kra Thum Khok)

Kra Thum Khok might serve as the closest kratom replacement among botanicals, sharing the same plant family while potentially offering milder effects. This Thai plant could potentially provide gentle stimulation and mild discomfort relief that some users suggest might be suitable for those seeking kratom-like experiences with reduced intensity. Users report that this botanical might offer familiar alkaloid profiles in gentler concentrations.

Mitragyna Javanica (Mitragyna Diversifolia, Kra Thum Na)

Mitragyna Javanica represents one of the plants like kratom that could offer related but distinct experiences for wellness applications. This kratom relative might provide relaxation and stress reduction that some users suggest could be suitable for evening routines and recovery support. Users report that this botanical might offer milder effects than traditional kratom while maintaining some familiar characteristics.

Nymphaea Caerulea (Blue Lotus)

Blue Lotus might appeal to users seeking gentle euphoria and relaxation that could enhance meditation and evening wind-down routines. This ancient Egyptian flower could potentially offer mild mood enhancement and dreaming support that some users report finding valuable for stress relief and sleep preparation. Users suggest that Blue Lotus might provide subtle effects suitable for relaxation without overwhelming sedation.

Picralima Nitida (Akuamma Seed)

Akuamma seed might offer discomfort relief and muscle relaxation that could appeal to users seeking physical wellness support. This West African seed could potentially provide pain management properties that some users suggest might be suitable for exercise recovery and chronic discomfort applications. Users report that Akuamma might offer targeted relief with minimal side effects.

Ptychopetalum Olacoides (Muira Puama)

Muira Puama might provide libido enhancement and mild energy support that could appeal to users seeking vitality and stamina benefits. This Amazonian herb could potentially offer adaptogenic properties and mood enhancement that some users suggest might be suitable for overall wellness and energy applications. Users report that Muira Puama might provide gentle stimulation with additional wellness benefits.

Rhodiola Rosea (Golden Root, Arctic Root)

Rhodiola might offer stress resilience and fatigue reduction that could appeal to users seeking adaptogenic support for demanding lifestyles. This Arctic root could potentially provide energy enhancement and focus benefits that some users suggest might be suitable for work and athletic applications. For performance-focused users, explore our kratom performance-enhancing guide for additional insights.

Sceletium Tortuosum (Kanna)

Kanna might provide mood enhancement and stress relief that could appeal to users seeking emotional wellness support. This South African succulent could potentially offer mild euphoria and anxiety reduction that some users suggest might be suitable for social situations and mood management. Interested in detailed comparisons? Check our kratom vs kanna article for comprehensive analysis.

Turmeric (Curcuma Longa)

Turmeric might offer anti-inflammatory support and joint health benefits that could appeal to users seeking general wellness enhancement. This golden spice could potentially provide curcumin benefits and antioxidant properties that some users suggest might be suitable for daily health maintenance and recovery support. Users report that turmeric might offer systemic wellness benefits with culinary versatility.

Valerian Root (Valeriana Officinalis)

Valerian root might provide sleep aid and anxiety relief that could appeal to users seeking evening relaxation and rest preparation. This traditional herb could potentially offer natural sedating properties that some users suggest might be suitable for sleep disorders and stress management. Users report that valerian might provide effective sleep support with minimal morning grogginess.

Which alternative to kratom is best for you?

The choice among kratom alternatives might depend on individual wellness goals, sensitivity levels, and specific applications that users could be seeking for their daily routines. Users seeking energy and focus might find coffee, matcha, or ginseng more suitable for their productivity needs, while those exploring relaxation might prefer kava, valerian root, or blue lotus for evening applications.

For users interested in botanicals closest to kratom's profile, Mitragyna Hirsuta and Mitragyna Javanica might offer the most familiar experiences while providing milder effects. Those seeking stress management might find ashwagandha, rhodiola, or kanna more appropriate for their adaptogenic and mood enhancement goals.

Users exploring discomfort management alternatives might consider CBD, akuamma seed, or turmeric for their potential anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties. The best choice could depend on individual responses, legal considerations, and specific wellness applications that align with personal health goals and lifestyle preferences.

White Rabbit Energy specializes in kratom-infused beverages that offer convenient and enjoyable ways to experience kratom's potential benefits. Our energy drinks with kratom and kratom soda products could provide portable alternatives for users seeking kratom experiences in refreshing, ready-to-drink formats that might suit active lifestyles and on-the-go wellness needs.