Have you ever heard of Kanna? If not, you aren’t alone. While this powerful healing plant has been used in South African traditional medicine and Rastafarian culture for hundreds of years, it’s remained well off the radar for most potential consumers.
In this article, we’ll walk you through all that you need to know about this fascinating botanical and answer your top questions, starting with ‘what is Kanna?’ Keep reading for all the details!
What Is Kanna?
Also known as Sceletium tortuosum, Kanna is a plant similar to cactus, known as a succulent. And, while it is still widely unknown in North America, it’s been a part of traditional healing and medicinal treatment in Africa for centuries, prized for its mood-lifting properties.
Historically, Kanna has been harvested, dried, and ground into tea. Then, it was used to heal a variety of ailments and as part of various rites of passage and other tribal ceremonies.
Kanna’s powerful mood-lifting powers can be attributed to a group of alkaloids that help the human brain produce serotonin, a natural mood-stabilizing chemical known to relieve the symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Kratom vs Kanna
Neither Kanna nor Kratom are approved by the FDA to treat medical disorders or alleviate symptoms – but, the two have been similarly used since long before modern medicine.
Kratom comes from a tree grown in Southeast Asia, where similarly to Kanna, it is traditionally used as tea. Both Kanna and Kratom are believed to:
- Elevate mood
- Decrease anxiety
- Reduce tension
- Stimulate the nervous system
- Deliver euphoric effects
And, when used in larger doses, both Kanna and Kratom can also act as a sedative.
While these two botanicals are similar, they aren’t identical. Kanna is newer to the western market, and therefore, harder to shop for. Kratom has been widely available for years, with multiple strains hitting the mainstream and plenty of reliable sources for shopping.
Kanna and Kratom are also associated with varying treatments and side effects, depending on exactly how and how much is used in traditional medicine. And, before you start shopping, you should know the difference.
The two are not administered the same way and vary greatly in dosage! They also contain slightly different chemical compounds, so the effects won’t be identical.
Give Kanna a Try
Now that we’ve given you some background information and answered your top questions, including ‘what is Kanna?’ you’re probably excited to give this powerful traditional healer a try.
Just remember, it’s essential that you follow all your product’s packaging instructions. And, try your Kanna out in a safe and quiet environment like your home for the first time. You should also store it well out of the way of children, pets, and anyone else who might accidentally ingest it.
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