Sceletium (Sceletium tortuosum)
Synopsis of sceletium
Sceletium (Sceletium tortuosum), also known as Kanna, is a succulent plant native to South Africa, particularly the arid regions of the Western and Northern Cape. It has been traditionally used by the Khoisan people for centuries as a mood-enhancing, stress-relieving, and social-connecting herb. The plant contains a range of alkaloids, including mesembrine, mesembrenone, and mesembrenol, which are thought to be primarily responsible for its psychoactive and adaptogenic effects.
Medicinally, Sceletium is most widely used for its anxiolytic (anti-anxiety), antidepressant, and cognitive-enhancing properties. It acts as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) and phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4) inhibitor, mechanisms that may help elevate mood, improve resilience to stress, and enhance mental clarity. Unlike pharmaceutical SSRIs, Sceletium tends to produce a more subtle uplifting effect without sedating or overstimulating, and it generally has a favorable safety profile when used appropriately.
Modern herbalists and integrative practitioners use Sceletium to address:
- Mild to moderate depression and anxiety
- Mood swings and irritability
- Cognitive fatigue and burnout
- Social anxiety and low motivation
- Stress-related tension and insomnia
It is available as a standardized extract (e.g., Zembrin®), capsule, tincture, or fermented powder. The fermentation process, a traditional preparation method, is believed to enhance the herb’s alkaloid profile and reduce unwanted side effects.
Historical Usage:
Sceletium has been used for centuries by indigenous San and Khoikhoi people of South Africa, who chewed the fermented plant to relieve thirst, reduce hunger, and improve mood during long hunting expeditions. It was also consumed in social and spiritual contexts, believed to foster calmness, mental clarity, and emotional openness. The plant was often dried, crushed, and smoked, chewed, or used as a snuff.
Early colonial records from the 17th and 18th centuries describe the use of Sceletium under names like “Kanna” or “Channa”, noting its use for mood elevation, mental relaxation, and increased sociability. European settlers sometimes adopted it for similar purposes, although widespread recognition in Western herbal medicine came much later.
Interest in Sceletium increased in the late 20th and early 21st centuries as research into natural antidepressants and adaptogens gained momentum. Its favorable pharmacological profile and traditional reputation made it a candidate for modern clinical applications, and products like Zembrin® were developed as patented, standardized extracts for therapeutic use.
Today, Sceletium remains one of the few indigenous South African botanicals to achieve international recognition in the field of mood support and cognitive wellness. It is often used in stress management, mental performance, and emotional balance formulas, and its popularity continues to grow among those seeking natural nootropics and adaptogens.
Sceletium is used for these health conditions
Anxiety (Scientific)
Anxiety Disorders (Scientific)
Depression (Scientific)
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (Traditional)
Stress (Scientific)
sceletium is used to support these body systems
Brain (Traditional)
Dopamine (Traditional)
Nerves (Traditional)
Parasympathetic Nervous System (Traditional)
Serotonin (Traditional)
Specific Neurotransmitters (Scientific)
