Kanna Explained: What This South African Succulent Actually Is
Kanna is the newest botanical on our shelves, and the one customers ask about most — usually starting with “what even is that?” Here is a straight answer.
The plant
Kanna (Sceletium tortuosum) is a small succulent native to South Africa, growing in the arid regions of the Western and Northern Cape. It is a low, spreading plant with small purple-white flowers.
It has a long history of traditional use among the Khoikhoi and San peoples of southern Africa, who crushed and fermented the plant material before drying it. You will sometimes see it called channa or kougoed, an Afrikaans term derived from that traditional preparation.
Fermented and unfermented
Traditional preparation involved fermenting the plant before drying. Modern products are sold both fermented and unfermented, and vendors generally state which process was used. If the packaging is not clear, ask — it is a reasonable thing to want to know about something you are buying.
Formats we carry
- Powder — dried, milled plant material.
- Capsules — pre-measured servings.
- Extracts — concentrated, sold by standardised strength or concentration ratio.
- Chewing gum and lozenges — an increasingly common format.
- Blends — kanna combined with other botanicals.
Reading an extract label
Extracts are where labelling matters most. A concentration ratio tells you how much raw material went into the finished product; a standardisation figure tells you what the extract is standardised to. A product that states neither is telling you very little. Ask us what documentation came with a given batch.
What to look for
- Species name — Sceletium tortuosum should appear on the label.
- Plant part and process — fermented or unfermented.
- Stated concentration for any extract.
- Third-party testing — ask whether batch lab results exist.
- Serving size — follow the label, start low.
Kanna is not kratom
These two get confused because they arrived on American shelves within a few years of each other and often sit near one another in shops. They are entirely unrelated. Kanna is a South African succulent; kratom is a Southeast Asian tree in the coffee family. Different continents, different families, different plant parts.
Storage
Sealed, cool, dry and out of direct sunlight — the same as any dried botanical. Heat and light degrade plant material over time.
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.
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.
