New at KC Smokz: Kava, Kanna and Cat’s Claw Now in Store
We have expanded our botanical shelf. Alongside the kratom and CBD we have carried for years, KC Smokz now stocks kava, kanna and cat’s claw at our Westport store on Broadway Blvd.
These are three completely unrelated plants from three different continents. Customers often lump them together simply because they sit on the same shelf, so here is a straight explanation of what each one actually is.
Kava — a South Pacific root
Kava (Piper methysticum) is a member of the pepper family, native to Fiji, Vanuatu, Tonga and Samoa. The root is the part used, traditionally ground and steeped in water and served socially across Pacific Island cultures for centuries.
We carry it as traditional root powder, instant powder, capsules, liquid shots and teas. You will see the term noble kava, which refers to cultivars traditionally selected for daily use. More about kava →
Kanna — a South African succulent
Kanna (Sceletium tortuosum) is a small succulent from the arid Western and Northern Cape of South Africa, with a long history of traditional use among the Khoikhoi and San peoples, who fermented and dried the plant material.
It is the newest of the three to the American market, so most customers have not encountered it before. We stock powder, capsules, extracts, gum and lozenges. More about kanna →
Cat’s claw — an Amazon vine
Cat’s claw (Uncaria tomentosa) is a woody vine from the Amazon rainforest, named for the curved, claw-like thorns along its stems. The inner bark and root are the traditionally used parts, with a long history among indigenous peoples of Peru and the surrounding region.
Interestingly, cat’s claw and kratom are botanical cousins — both sit in the Rubiaceae family, the same family as coffee. We carry capsules, bark powder, cut bark, teas and tinctures. More about cat’s claw →
What we will and will not tell you
We will tell you what a product is: which plant, which part, what form, what the label states, and what documentation the supplier provided. We will not tell you what it will do for you. We are a retail shop, not a clinic — for anything health related, speak with a healthcare professional.
How to approach something new
- Read the label. Species name, plant part and serving size should all be stated clearly.
- Start at the lowest listed serving. Always.
- Ask about testing. Where a supplier provides batch lab results, we will show them to you.
- Buy small first. There is no sense committing to a large quantity of something you have not tried.
- Check the date. Dried botanicals do not keep indefinitely.
Find it at KC Smokz in Westport
KC Smokz is at 3745 Broadway Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64111, open seven days a week — Mon–Thu 9 am–10 pm, Fri–Sat 9 am–11 pm, Sunday 9 am–10 pm. Call (816) 656-5090 to check what is on the shelf before you drive over.
Also on the shelf: kratom and CBD.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Not for sale to persons under 21. Consult a healthcare professional before use, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, taking any medication, or have a medical condition. Check local laws in your area before purchasing.
