Description

What is Kanna Sceletium Tortuosum?

Kanna is a natural plant based mood booster, relaxant and helps with anxiety, depression. It has been used in traditional medicines for centuries in Southern Africa.

Chemistry and Pharmacology:

The active alkaloids of Sceletium tortuosum are: mesembrine, mesembrenone, mesembrenol and tortuosamine. Mesembrine is a major alkaloid present in Sceletium tortuosum, and has been demonstrated in unpublished laboratory studies to be a serotonin re-uptake inhibitor.

Mesembrine has a receptor-specific activity with main focus on receptors relating to the receptor activities linked to nicotinic, dopamine and non-adrenaline. The activity in these sites back the traditional mood-elevating uses, and suggest additional therapeutic and wellness potential.

Sceletium has been reported to be used as a natural supplement in:

• Low mood, including grey weather syndrome
• Monitoring anxiety, stress and tension
• Drug rehabilitation
• Libido, when lack of libido is from anxiety or low mood
• Post-traumatic stress disorder, as part of a support program
• May uplift the mood

Research directions for the future include evaluation of potential in cognitive enhancement, and the management of Parkinson’s Disease and Alzheimer’s Disease.