Botanical Overview
Sceletium tortuosum is a succulent plant in the Aizoaceae family, native to Southern Africa. Commonly known as Kanna, Channa, or Kougoed, its aerial parts (herb and stem) have been traditionally used as a mood-enhancing herb. The plant contains distinctive mesembrine alkaloids which contribute to its psychoactive effects.
Energetics
Sceletium tortuosum is considered energetically neutral in temperature, with drying properties. Its taste profile includes bitter and sweet notes. The herb is relaxing in tonicity and primarily affects the qi (energy flow) within the nervous system.
Primary Actions
- Nervine
- Mood enhancer
- Anxiolytic
Indications
Western
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Stress
- Mood disorders
Syndromes
- Nervous tension
- Mild to moderate depression
TCM
No traditional use recorded.
Ayurveda
No traditional use recorded.
Unani
No traditional use recorded.
Constituents & Mechanisms
The primary bioactive constituents are mesembrine alkaloids including mesembrenone and mesembrenol, which act as serotonin reuptake inhibitors and phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitors, contributing to mood elevation and anxiolytic effects.
Dosage & Preparations
- Dried herb 50-250 mg (standardized alkaloid content) orally
- Extract 10-25 mg standardized alkaloid 1-3x daily
- Chewed dried herb or smoked traditionally in small amounts
Safety & Contraindications
Traditionally regarded as safe in moderate use. Insufficient evidence to confirm safety during pregnancy and lactation; use not recommended. Potential interactions exist with serotonergic medications (risk of serotonin syndrome) and CNS depressants. Avoid concomitant use with these drugs.
Astrological Correspondences
There are no firmly established planetary or elemental rulers documented for Sceletium tortuosum.
Selected References
- Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects (Mills & Bone, 2005)
- Pharmacological actions of Mesembrine alkaloids from Sceletium tortuosum (Smith et al., 2011)
- Plants For A Future (PFAF) Sceletium tortuosum
- Ethnobotany and pharmacological properties of Sceletium tortuosum (Smith et al., 2017)