Today, we can find a wide variety of new herbs, supplements, and products in the market that can be used for multiple purposes. Many of them have been traditionally used for centuries and are very popular among ethnobotanicals enthusiasts. But people who want to try these products usually face a big issue: the lack of information. Most times, these ethnobotanicals haven’t been studied enough to know their potential. Other times, vendors can’t advise on how to use the herbs, due to legal reasons. However, it is advisable to be diligent before purchasing any new herbs, no matter how popular they are, to prevent experiencing unpleasant or unwanted effects.
One of the herbs whose popularity seems to be rising lately is Kanna. This plant is widely available online and many users report that it could be a decent kratom alternative. But what are its characteristics and what is Kanna good for? In this article, we’ll tell you all you need to know about it.
What Is Kanna?
Kanna, or Sceletium Tortuosum, is a succulent plant indigenous of South Africa. Although it is not very clear, it is believed to belong to the cactus family, due to its appearance. In fact, growing and taking care of Kanna is as easy (or as hard) as taking care of a cactus. However, due to overharvesting, Kanna is not easy to find in its native habitats.
Indigenous peoples of South Africa have used Kanna for centuries or thousands of years in ritual ceremonies. Additionally, manual laborers and hunters used to chew the Kanna root to help them relieve fear and depression after a battle. This would not only relieve their anxiety but also give them a euphoric experience.
Today, you can find Kanna in the market in powder form. Keep reading below to discover what is kanna good for.
What Is Kanna Good For?
The Kanna plant contains various alkaloids, including mesembrine, mesembrone, mesembrenol, and tortuosamine. All these alkaloids together are what give the plant its special properties and effects.
But what is Kanna good for? The Kanna plant has the following effects and it’s used for the following reasons:
- To experience a sense of euphoria
- Mood-elevation
- Stimulation
- Anxiety relief
- Muscle relaxation
- To ease tension and stress
- To increase self-esteem and confidence
- Helps suppress appetite
Additionally, some users report that taking Kanna may suppress the cravings of nicotine.
On the other hand, and contrary to what some people think, using Kanna doesn’t provoke any hallucinogenic effects.
Is Kanna a Good Kratom Alternative?
Since kratom is illegal in some cities and states, people who don’t have access to it look for alternatives to help them ease their conditions. But is Kanna a good kratom alternative? The answer to this depends on the effect that you are looking for.
If you are a kratom connoisseur you probably know that the primary kratom use is to ease pain, especially when it’s chronic. Another popular kratom use is to help get off opioids and to combat opiates withdrawal. In these cases, Kanna wouldn’t be a good kratom alternative, since it doesn’t have great analgesic properties and it doesn’t act on the same receptors as kratom.
However, Kanna could be a good kratom alternative to ease anxiety and to relieve tension and stress. Additionally, like kratom, Kanna holds stimulant properties when consumed in a certain way.
Can You Take Kanna With Other Products?
Like any other herbs or supplements, mixing Kanna with other products should be avoided. Since there is not enough research on the plant, it is not clear how it can interact with other products, but it is safe to say that it is better not to combine it with prescription drugs or medicines that have the same effects, to avoid any interaction. Especially, you should never mix Kanna with any other SSRI’s (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors), some examples include:
- Citalopram (Celexa)
- Escitalopram (Lexapro)
- Fluoxetine (Prozac)
- Paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva)
- Sertraline (Zoloft)
- Vilazodone (Viibryd)
On the other hand, you should not use Kanna with any antidepressants (natural or synthetic), such as passionflower. And, since alcohol is a depressant you should also avoid Kanna and alcohol combination.
How to Use Kanna?
Although you can find different Kanna formats in the market, including tinctures and capsules, the most common format is in powder form.
Traditionally, the indigenous people of South Africa used to chew, smoke, or snort Kanna. But the easiest way to use Kanna is by brewing 250mg of the powder into a tea. And, if you prefer to chew it, you can mix 50-150mg with chewing gum.
