Kanna / Sceletium - 100 Capsules (Organic, Fermented)

100 Capsules - 50mg per capsule of high-potency fermented kanna, ginger.

Sceletium tortuosum, known in South Africa as "Kanna," "Channa" or "Kougoed" ('that which is chewed) is a member of the extensive South African ice-plant family (aizoaceae). It is one of the most effective natural treatments for mild to moderate depression, stress, frustration, and emotional pressures, and has long been used traditionally for this purpose. This is an organic, traditionally fermented, very potent Kanna. We have tried a plethora of Kanna products; this one surpasses them all. (This stuff is active even at only one capsule!) We designed this preparation to rival the in potency of pharmaceuticals. Thankfully, kanna has no serious side effects associated with it.

Kanna possesses subtle, yet profound effects on mood. For many people, its sublime effects are a life-altering discovery. The plant itself is thoroughly positive in all aspects. It is a long-time favorite here at Skyfield Tropical, we just had to offer it! This is high-grade herb material. We find it imparts a sense of well-being, comfort with oneself, and the sense that "everything is OK," and allows one to focus comfortably on inner thoughts and feelings. We find that it reduces social anxiety, making one feel comfortable around groups of people. Anecdotally, we find that Kanna also appears to encourage pleasant dreams, and heightens sexual awareness.

Kanna / Sceletium's active parts, which occur in small amounts throughout the plant, are the alkaloids mesembrine, mesembrenol, tortuosamine, mesembrinine. The alkaloid mesembrine is the predominant actor, comprising 0.3-0.9% of the leaves, flowers and stems of the plant. Chemically, sceletium tortuosum is a multi-faceted plant, a concert of active compounds producing a significant, sublime effect on the mind.

• Powerful anti-stress and antidepressant, many times more effective than St. John's Wort, Mucuna Pruriens (dopa bean) and Griffonia Seed (and other natural sources of 5-htp / tryptophan).
• Kanna is believed to extend the activity of natural serotonin in the brain, while also enhancing the production of dopamine.
• Dulls the compulsive desire for nicotine, by interacting with many of the same receptors. It is used with Lobelia (lobelia inflata) to combat nicotine / cigarette addiction, assisting in quitting smoking.
• A treatment for all sorts of taxing and negative states of consciousness- inadequacy, social anxiety, depression, nervousness, anger, even attention deficit.
• Encourages a calm understanding of emotionally difficult situations. In higher doses, it is an "empathogen" type herb.
• Traditionally, it has been used as a potentiator (enhancer) of other mildly psychoactive herbs, such as Klip Dagga (leonotis nepetifolium), Kratom (mitragyna speciosa) or Blue Lotus (nymphaea caerulea).

While it is often said that Kanna is comparable to a natural SSRI (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor), this activity is uncertain, although it does seem to affect Serotonin retention. What is observed generally through traditional use is that Kanna has a bright, positive psychoactive effect. It has a long history of frequent use by the Hottentot tribes of South Africa for this purpose, and most of it is still grown and produced in that area of the world.

As Kanna is becoming cultivated to a larger extent and percolating into the herbal market, there is a widening selection of Kanna products. Having tried many of these products, many are seemingly mild or ineffective. Kanna, by nature, is not a mild herb. If you have tried Kanna and been unimpressed, it is usually because the manufacturer is unaware, or has ignored traditional knowledge of it's preparation. In this case, traditional preparation (fermentation) plays a vital role in freeing the active compounds. There is a dramatic difference between kanna that has been fermented, versus harvested and dried, or chemically extracted. Fresh leaves have almost no potency. To get the active alkaloids out of kanna / sceletium:

- Kanna must be more than 1 year old (older is preferable), and harvested in the autumn.
- The entire plant must be used, roots stems, leaves, flowers, seeds and all.
- The plant must be crushed and properly fermented for 7 days. The resulting gray herbal material (and it's liquid) is then dried.

Many kanna products use simply the dried powdered leaves, which are ineffective and contain oxalic acid, which is not only mildly irritating to the human body, but which traditional fermentation naturally destroys. Only by using this traditional process will Kanna yield its profound secrets; we know because we've done it ourselves! This is also a wonderful houseplant, if you can find it!

HERB SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

• Since kanna is thought to act as a Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI), it should never be used in conjunction with psychiatric medications (Prozac, Adderall, Paxil, etc.) Use caution and good judgment when using Kanna as an enhancer of other herbs.
• Kanna can raise blood pressure slightly (similar to caffeine). Slight headache is associated with this.
• Upon first use, Kanna can cause temporary nausea in some people. This is rare, but only temporary.
• Kanna can decrease appetite, however this effect subsides with regular use.