What is Kanna? Traditional Uses and Health Benefits Explained

Introduction to Kanna

In today’s world, where stress and anxiety are widespread, the demand for natural options alongside pharmaceutical antidepressants has increased. Many individuals are seeking herbal remedies that promote mental wellness while aligning with holistic lifestyles. One plant drawing attention again is Kanna (Sceletium tortuosum), a succulent native to South Africa.

For centuries, indigenous groups relied on Kanna for its mood-boosting and calming effects. Traditionally chewed, smoked, or brewed into tea, it served as an important aid for managing environmental hardships. Today, both researchers and wellness enthusiasts are examining Kanna for its adaptogenic properties and its growing role in modern health practices.

This article examines Kanna’s traditional background, its bioactive compounds, and the scientific evidence supporting its effects. Readers will discover the plant’s cultural roots and how it contributes to current approaches in mental health and wellness.

Traditional Uses and Cultural Significance

A Deeply Rooted History

Kanna’s recorded history goes back to the 17th century when Dutch officials noted its use among the Nama people. Simon van der Stel first mentioned it in 1685 during an expedition through Namaqualand, observing its ceremonial and psychoactive significance (1).

Its roots, however, extend long before written documentation. The Khoisan peoples, including both San and Khoi, integrated Kanna into everyday activities and spiritual practices. Chewing Kanna reduced hunger and thirst, eased fatigue, and lifted morale, particularly on long treks across arid terrain (1).

A Tool for Social Harmony

Kanna’s gentle euphoric qualities also supported social balance. It was often shared at communal events to strengthen unity, settle disputes, and foster open conversation. This calming influence secured its place in rituals of bonding and cultural ceremonies (2).

The Kougoed Fermentation Process

Traditionally, Kanna was processed through a fermentation method called "kougoed." Harvested above-ground parts were crushed and sealed in airtight bags, left to ferment in the sun for around eight days. This enhanced the alkaloid profile and softened the plant fibers, producing a mildly psychoactive, brown pulp (3).

Other preparations included sun-drying, burying the plant in hot sand, or drying under shade racks. These approaches preserved the plant’s active compounds and made it suitable for storage and trade.

Scientific Exploration of Kanna’s Alkaloids

Modern science has begun validating Kanna’s traditional applications by isolating its active compounds and clarifying their actions. The plant contains mesembrine-type alkaloids that interact with neurological pathways to produce therapeutic effects.

Primary Alkaloids

Mesembrine — Acts as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), enhancing mood by increasing serotonin levels. Its effect resembles pharmaceutical antidepressants but with a potentially gentler profile (4).
Mesembrenone — Functions both as an SSRI and a phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4) inhibitor. This dual activity supports emotional stability and mental clarity, making it useful for stress-related fatigue (5).
Mesembrenol — Although less researched, it shows potential for calming, anxiolytic effects through serotonin modulation (4).

Mechanisms of Action

Together, these alkaloids create synergistic effects that aid mood balance, relieve anxiety, and improve focus. By inhibiting both serotonin reuptake and PDE4 activity, Kanna provides immediate support as well as sustained mental clarity, positioning it as a natural adaptogen with therapeutic promise.

Implications for Natural Medicine

Kanna’s role in promoting emotional stability and cognitive function positions it as a strong candidate for natural medicine. Its pharmacological diversity suggests value for managing stress, mood imbalances, and certain inflammation-related issues that influence mental performance (4).

Kanna in Modern Wellness Products

As interest in Kanna expands, it has become increasingly available in over-the-counter wellness products. Today the plant is included in teas, capsules, tinctures, tablets, and functional beverages.

Standardized Extracts

One of the most important developments is the creation of standardized extracts such as Zembrin®, which provides consistent levels of mesembrine and mesembrenone. These formulations undergo testing for purity and bioavailability, ensuring consumers receive dependable therapeutic outcomes (6).

Standardization is crucial in modern herbal supplements because natural alkaloid levels vary with cultivation conditions and processing methods. Using standardized extracts allows consumers to achieve consistent and predictable results.

Availability and Ethical Considerations

Kanna supplements are now broadly available through online platforms, health shops, and pharmacies. With this accessibility, ethical sourcing has become a key focus. South African producers follow frameworks like the Nagoya Protocol to uphold fair trade, benefit-sharing, and the safeguarding of indigenous knowledge (5).

Cultural Stewardship and Sustainability

Global demand for Kanna has renewed the importance of protecting its cultural heritage. For the Khoisan people, the plant represents more than a wellness tool, it is a symbol of resilience, identity, and tradition.

Legal Frameworks

South Africa’s National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (NEMBA), together with the Nagoya Protocol, works to preserve both the biological and cultural integrity of Kanna. These regulations require companies to obtain bioprospecting licenses, share benefits with indigenous groups, and follow sustainable environmental practices (1, 3).

Cultivation and Conservation

Commercial methods like hydroponics and greenhouse farming help ease pressure on wild Kanna populations. These techniques not only improve alkaloid consistency but also limit environmental impact. Balancing cultural respect with modern cultivation is essential for Kanna’s sustainable role in the wellness market.

Safety and Best Practices

Kanna generally shows a favorable safety record, particularly in standardized forms. Clinical research indicates that doses between 8 mg and 25 mg are well tolerated, with only minor side effects reported. Headaches or digestive issues may occur at higher amounts, but no serious adverse reactions have been linked to proper use (6).

Interactions and Warnings

Because of its serotonin-enhancing properties, Kanna may interact with medications such as SSRIs, MAOIs, and other serotonergic agents. Combining these can raise the risk of serotonin syndrome, a potentially dangerous condition. Individuals should consult healthcare professionals before using Kanna, particularly if they are taking prescriptions (7).

General Guidelines

Stick to standardized products whenever possible.
Follow dosage instructions provided by the manufacturer.
Avoid combining Kanna with other substances that affect serotonin levels.
Seek medical advice before use if you have preexisting health conditions.

Conclusion

Kanna (Sceletium tortuosum) links ancient tradition with modern science. Rooted in the spiritual and social practices of Southern African cultures, it has long served as a resource for mental clarity, resilience, and emotional stability.

Scientific findings confirm many of these uses by identifying alkaloids responsible for Kanna’s calming and focusing properties. With standardized extracts such as Zembrin®, the plant now provides consistent therapeutic benefits for those seeking natural mental health support.

As global interest grows, so does the duty to ensure ethical sourcing. Regulations like the Nagoya Protocol help protect indigenous knowledge and promote fair compensation. Cultivation practices that preserve wild populations are also essential for sustainability.

By selecting ethically sourced, clinically supported Kanna products, consumers can enjoy its benefits while respecting cultural and ecological heritage. In this way, Kanna represents more than a supplement, it stands as a bridge between past traditions and future wellness.