Kanna

Sceletium Tortuosum is a medicinal plant from South Africa. It's also a succulent commonly known as Kanna, Channa, and Kougoed.

Kanna is a herb considered by many as the king of mood support remedies. Kanna (literally meaning "something to chew") is used by the ancient hunting tribes of San and Khoi [1]. In 1738, Kanna was said to be the "greatest cheerer of the spirits, and the noblest restorative in the world" [3]. Tinctures of this plant were reported to be commonly used by colonists in the Cape of Good Hope [9]. By ethnopharmacological standards, this plant has been well-reviewed for the past few decades.

It has attracted many in the U.S. due to its hypothesized applications in promoting a sense of well-being and relieving stress in healthy individuals. It is also commonly used to support abdominal health, stave off hunger, and enhance moods. More recently, it has attracted wider scientific attention as a possible management compound for mood, relaxation and stress support [2]. *

Over the past 15 years, an increasing number of Sceletium-based products, including teas, tinctures, tablets, capsules, and raw powdered plant material, are often sold over the Internet. Evidently, it is being used by healthy individuals to promote a sense of well-being and relieve stress [8]. Packages of S. tortuosum tea bags, often in combination with Red Bush Tea (Aspalathus linearis) or Honeybush tea (Cyclopia spp.) are sold in South African supermarkets. *

Clinical depression is an increasingly prevalent problem in the U.S., with 1 out of 10 adults reported to having some form of the depressive disorder (CDC, 2008). Kanna has been shown to be effective as a natural mood support remedy. Mesembrine and mesembrenone are the most predominant alkaloids present in this extract. Much evidence has been presented to show that these compounds contain anxiolytic effects, acts as a mood enhancement, and generally promotes a positive well-being [4]. *

Mesembrine and mesembrenone were discovered to be serotonin-uptake inhibitors. Standardized amounts of these compounds have been used potentially for the management and support of mental health [5]. *

It is scientifically proven that Kanna exerts significant cell protection effects against toxin stimulations. Kanna has displayed positive effects on immune cell function. Simon Chiu et al, 2014 studied the efficacy of the Kanna extract for neurocognitive effects. The extract has promising cognitive-enhancing effects [6]. *
Intake of the Kanna extract (about 50 mg per day for 4 months) has been shown to support a healthy appetite, weight management, restful sleep, energy levels, stress, emotional health and a sense of well-being [2]. *

Regular consumption of 50 mg per day for 10 days can significantly change the lifestyle of those wishing to support their moods. Reports showed that major symptoms such as feeling despondent, social withdrawal, feeling tearful and empty, and a feeling of pervasive sadness maybe supported with intake of the Kanna extract [2]. *

Stress-related illnesses rate among the most prevalent non-fatal diseases globally. Swart and Smith's (2016) data suggest the potentially beneficial effects of Kanna extract, which is rich in mesembrine (1% of plant extract), in the context of a healthy response to stress. This extract has displayed a significant role in the inhibition of rising cortisol levels [7]. *

This plant is rich in carbohydrates, protein, fatty acids and alkaloids. There are four major alkaloids found in Kanna extract: mesembrine, mesembrenone, mesembrenol, and mesembranol. These are some of the alkaloids that possess several pharmacological properties. Other alkaloids often named in the literature include tortuosamine, sceletium A4, chennaine, 4-O-demethylmesembranol, sceletone, joubertiamine, and hordenine.

Kanna extract is also high in total mineral content. Among the minerals present, iron and calcium can be seen in larger quantities.

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