Kanna on the rise: A South African artifact with soothing properties that shouldn't be missing from your offer

17. 01. 2025

• What is and where does the Kanna plant (Sceletium tortuosum) come from?
• Appearance and characteristics
• What effects does the canna offer?
• Use in collectors' circles
• Flower, powder and extract: Kanna in various forms
• Kanna extract vs. kanna powder
• Canna flower
• Smartshop: Kanna and other collectible treasures for your customers
• Conclusion

What is and where does the Kanna plant (Sceletium tortuosum) come from?

Kanna, botanically known as Sceletium tortuosum, is a succulent plant that has gained popularity among indigenous tribes. Native to South Africa, this succulent played an important role in the lives of indigenous tribes such as the Khoikhoi and San.

The psychotropic properties of kanna were used by the aforementioned indigenous tribes to promote mental well-being, relieve stress, anxiety and tension. Kanna was chewed or prepared as a tea, bringing them not only peace but also a connection to nature.

 

Nowadays, the can is becoming a desirable collector's item.

Appearance and characteristics

The kanna plant can survive in harsh dry conditions with minimal water, its natural habitat being areas with arid climates - scrubby plains and rocky slopes.

The plant has soft, fleshy, smaller green leaves that resemble the typical succulent appearance, which can sometimes have a reddish or bluish tinge.

Kanna blooms from spring to summer. During this period, small white, pink or yellow flowers appear. It can grow both horizontally and vertically, often forming clumps from a single central root. Its maximum height is about 30 cm and it can be compared to ginseng in appearance.

 

The kanna plant contains a variety of different phytochemicals, the most important of which include alkaloids such as mesembrenin, mesembrenol, mesembrenone and tortuosamine.

What effects does the canna offer?

Kanna is popular with some users as a natural remedy to promote mental well-being. They report that it helps them manage depression, anxiety and stress and contributes to feelings of relaxation.

As the main effects of kanna, they describe the improvement of mood and alleviation of feelings of anxiety. Due to the fact that canna affects the nervous system, it is considered a natural alternative to traditional antidepressants without the significant side effects that most antidepressants have.

 

Research into canna and its active ingredients, especially alkaloids such as mesembrin, mesembrenone and tortuosamine, is ongoing and is yielding new insights into potential benefits.

The 2021 review study offers a comprehensive look at the biological and pharmaceutical properties of canna, focusing on the antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antidepressant and anxiolytic effects of this herb.

The review concludes by suggesting that there is historical and preliminary scientific evidence for the effectiveness of canna in promoting mental well-being due to its antidepressant and anxiolytic properties.

These findings have been confirmed by a number of in vitro studies, animal studies, and several clinical studies that have further demonstrated the effectiveness of this plant in relieving stress and anxiety.

Use in collectors' circles

In the European Union, the can is sold as a collector's item, making it an exclusive item for those who want to add a unique botanical treasure with a long history to their portfolio.

Within the EU, cannabis is not approved as a food supplement or foodstuff, and according to current legislation it is not intended for consumption, smoking or vaping - alone or mixed with other substances.

In EU countries it is therefore offered exclusively as a collector's and decorative item.

Flower, powder and extract: Kanna in various forms

Kanna is available in a variety of forms, which include dried leaves, extracts, powders, tinctures, and tea blends. Each of these variations is an attractive choice for collectors.

In some parts of the world, users have adopted traditional forms of consumption - chewing or smoking dried canna leaves. The powdered form of canna can be included in dietary supplements and users also add it to smoothies, for example.

Kanna extract vs. kanna powder

Kanna extract is a concentrated version of the plant's active ingredients, giving users a more effective and faster way to achieve the desired effects. It is available in both powder and liquid form.  What does Kanna extract 20:1 mean?The "20:1" designation on the extract indicates a high concentration - 20 parts of the original plant material were used to create one part of the extract. Specifically, this means that 20 grams of raw plant material made 1 gram of extract.

The 20:1 ratio makes the extract significantly stronger than the classic powder. Kanna powder is a dried and finely ground form of the plant that is used directly or as part of various mixtures in some parts of the world.

 

Canna flower

Canna flowers are not as common as the powder or extract. They contain the same active ingredients as other parts of the plant, but offer a unique visual experience. Collectors use them in tea blends or as decorative elements in dried arrangements.

Smartshop: Kanna and other collectible treasures for your customers

Check out our smartshop for collectible treasures for your customers. Explore Canntropy's wide range of herbal supplements, including 20:1 canna extracts, available in 1, 5, 10, 25 and 100g packs.

 

In addition to the can, we also offer other collectible artifacts such as:

• Blue Lotus
• Kava Kava
• Cut raspberry leaves (Rubus ideaus)
• Guarana
• Muira puama (Ptychopetalum olacoides)
• Valeriana
• and many others

Conclusion

Kanna represents not only a unique botanical treasure with a history of benefits, but also a growing business opportunity. With this product, you have the opportunity to reach not only new customers, but also excite existing ones.

Kanna exists in the form of flowers, powders and extracts. In EU countries it is offered exclusively as a collector's item.

Explore our smartshop and read more articles about exclusive natural products on the blog:

• Kava Kava: the key to anxiety and stress relief and better sleep
• The Blue Lotus: the magical plant of the ancient Egyptians that still captivates today

 

Author:  Patricie Mikolášová 

 

   

Photo: AI

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