Health officials warn against using unregulated Kratom

Have you heard of Kratom? About 5 million Americans have tried the herbal supplement, but some have died from it.

Kratom comes in many forms and products. The leaves have been used in Southeast Asia to treat aches and pains.

In the U.S., it is sold in the form of a powder, pill or tea and does not require a prescription.

“The research that’s been done indicates that people are using Kratom to help alleviate chronic pain, to treat mood disorders like anxiety and depression and, in some cases, to help wean themselves off of opioids," said Jeneen Interlandi with Consumer Reports.

The FDA says Kratom is an opioid. The agency warns it is dangerous, even deadly, saying it is associated with about 50 deaths.

The CDC believes Kratom may be tied to a recent salmonella outbreak.

One of the biggest concerns, like any supplement, is that Kratom is not regulated.

“Any given Kratom product can be grossly mislabeled. It can be laced with other substances, including illegal drugs and prescription medications, and it can interact with other medications that you are taking in ways that are really dangerous," Interlandi said.

The Drug Enforcement Agency lists Kratom as a “drug and chemical of concern” and at one point wanted to put it in the same category as heroin, LSD and ecstasy, which would essentially ban it for customers. But the American Kratom Association argues making the substance illegal could drive more people to prescription painkillers or illegal drugs to treat their symptoms.

The organization says they’ll support some government regulation to ensue the safety and purity of Kratom, but not a ban.

Consumer Reports says given the lack of regulation, they believe it's best for consumers to just avoid Kratom altogether.