Deadly “Natural” Supplement Turns Skin into Scaly Horror—What Are Users Risking?
Ever wonder how a “natural” herbal extract—supposedly a cure-all from the lush leaves of a Southeast Asian evergreen—turns some folks into walking alligator skin exhibits and, worse yet, is linked to a string of tragic deaths? Welcome to the curious, troubling world of Kratom—a green powder sold in gas stations alongside your Sunday comics and synthetic gum. Jordan McKibban’s mother found herself issuing a painful warning after her 37-year-old son mysteriously collapsed at home, with an autopsy revealing the deadly compound mitragynine lurking inside his Kratom stash. Folks chew it, brew it as tea, or knock it back in liquid shots to lift their mood or dull pain, but as legal as it is in most of the U.S., the hidden dangers are starting to gnaw away at the hype. If a substance can apparently drain your wallet, clone coffee’s kick, and leave your skin looking like a reptile’s hide, maybe it’s time to ask—what’s really going on beneath that “natural” label? LEARN MORE
A ‘natural’ herbal extract leaving some people with ‘alligator skin’ is being linked to numerous deaths.
The mum of Jordan McKibban issued a warning after the Washington resident, 37, collapsed and died in his bathroom in 2022.
Pam Mauldin said her son died from taking Kratom products after an autopsy revealed a compound in the substance called mitragynine, reports the New York Post.
Kratom is a herbal extract from the leaves of Mitragyna speciosa, an evergreen tree that grows in Southeast Asia.
People chew the leaves, swallow dry leaf powder, brew them as tea, or use concentrated extracts/liquid forms for various health benefits, which include lifting mood and pain relief, according to May Clinic.
Beside six states where it is banned, Kratom is available online and in petrol stations in the US, whereas in the UK, it is not allowed to be sold legally.
Jordan McKibban died at age 37 while taking kratom (Handout)
Matthew Eller was just 22 when he died from taking the ‘gas station heroin’.
“When he moved out of my house in 2020, I found empty kratom packets with price stickers of over $20 on them, which explained why he was always broke despite having a good job,” his mum Susan told The Sun.
“He said he used kratom for energy, and said it’s like coffee. I looked it up online, but at that time, it was almost all positive information. Matthew nor I had any idea it could kill him.
“My son’s toxicology reports show he died from kratom alone – no other substances nor underlying health conditions.”
Kratom side effects
Kratom isn’t legal in the UK (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Mum-of-three Raylee Reinhart, who took daily shots of the substance, reportedly started to develop ‘alligator skin’.
“At one point, I had numb, tingly hands,” she added to The Sun.
“My skin had these weird rashes all over it. I had super dry, flaky skin… it was gross.
“I [also] lost probably 30 pounds.”
Raylee Reinhart has warned against taking the substance (Raylee Reinhart)
The casino worker, 30, from Montana, completed alcohol abuse treatment in 2023 and started taking the substance as an alternative.
She ended up spending £2,000 per month on up to 10 shots a day.
“My boyfriend would say, ‘every time you get out of the shower, there’s a huge clump of hair in the drain,’” she said.
“And it got worse. I lost more than half of my hair.”
Kratom has been marketed as a ‘natural’ stimulant that reduces pain (LOUIS ANDERSON/AFP via Getty Images)
Mayo Clinic state that ‘kratom hasn’t been shown to be safe or to treat any medical conditions’.
“The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned people not to use kratom because of possible harm it can cause,” they explained.
“The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration calls kratom a drug of concern.
“Poison control centers in the United States received more than 3,400 reports about use of kratom from 2014 through 2019.
“These included reports of death. Side effects reported included high blood pressure, confusion and seizures.”
Joking Hazard by Cyanide & Happiness - 360+ Funny & Inappropriate Comic Cards, Hilarious Party Games | Includes Add-Your-Own-Words Cards
$24.95 (as of October 23, 2025 18:48 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Supa Ant 6x8ft. Welding Blanket Fireproof (Pack of 2) - Heavy Duty Weld Fire Blanket Tools - Welders Cover for Men Curtain with Gloves - Large Welding Gear for Welder Accessories
$59.96 (as of October 23, 2025 18:48 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
RIVER OF GOODS Farmhouse LED Ceiling Fan - 52" L x 52" W - Metal Caged Fixture - Rich Barnwood/Light Driftwood Fan Blades
(as of October 23, 2025 18:48 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Kinsa Smart,Fever, Digital Medical Baby, Kid and Adult Termometro - Accurate, Fast, FDA Cleared Thermometer for Oral, Armpit or Rectal Temperature Reading - QuickCare
$24.98 (as of October 23, 2025 18:48 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
