Kanna Tea Benefits, Recipes, Side Effects & Where to Buy Tea Bags

Kanna tea is commonly consumed to alleviate stress, promote a calm state of mind and to support feelings of well-being.

Kanna is the colloquial name for the Sceletium tortuosum plant – a succulent that is found in parts of South Africa. It has a long history of reported use for its psychoactive effects.

Traditionally, the plant would be chewed to release the beneficial alkaloids found in its roots and leaves. Another name for Sceletium is kauwgoed, which translates roughly to “to be chewed”.

Kanna has roots and leaves that are used for relaxation, mood alteration and other purposes. There are several ways to use kanna, including as a tea.

Kanna is known for having properties that induce feelings of calmness and enhance mood. These properties have led to a number of studies on the use of supplements for managing anxiety and improving cognition.

Those who want to use kanna tea to reduce stress or for other purposes should learn more about the benefits and effects of this herb. Consumers should also be aware that there are possible side effects and interactions associated with use.

Kanna

Herbal Extract

Mood

Calm

Sleep

How It Works:

• Exhibits anxiolytic effects
• Used traditionally for relaxation
• Contains mesembrine alkaloids with weak sedative effects

Dosage:

No standardized dosage

Safety:

Insufficient research available

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Uses and Effects of Kanna Tea

Kanna tea is used to promote feelings of relaxation and ease symptoms of anxiety.

It is also used for depression and to manage insomnia and other sleep problems. Other uses for kanna tea include improving cognition.

While it has been used traditionally by herbal medicine practitioners for a variety of reasons, it has not been approved by the FDA as a drug for the treatment of any medical conditions.

Kanna tea is made from the roots of the Sceletium tortuosum plant which contains bioactive chemicals known as alkaloids.

These alkaloids are believed to be involved in mood enhancement and relaxation, according to the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. [1] They may have anxiolytic (anti-anxiety), sedative and analgesic (pain relieving) effects.

The alkaloid mesembrine is reported to act as a serotonin reuptake inhibitor that leads to higher amounts of this neurotransmitter accumulating at receptors in the brain.

The alkaloid mesembrenone is also a serotonin reuptake inhibitor and has phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4) inhibitory effects, which might be associated with effects on cognition.

According to NMCD, Kanna is rated Possibly Effective for easing anxiety, especially in cases of state anxiety.

The results of a 2013 study that was published in Neuropsychopharmacology showed that Sceletium tortuosum has inhibitory effects on serotonin reuptake and PDE4, which are believed to be associated with anxiolytic effects. [2]

Kanna has also been studied for its effects on cognition. A 2014 study that appeared in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine found that this herb improves cognition in general when given to adults between the ages of 45 and 65 years old. [3]

Review of Kanna Tea

Consumers can purchase dried or powdered kanna to make into tea or buy pre-packaged tea bags for a faster way to prepare this herb for consumption.

Kanna products are available from some online retailers. However, Amazon, GNC and several other major online retailers do not sell raw forms of this herb for use in making tea.

One product that is easier to find online and in stores is Zembrin, which is a proprietary extract from the plant. This ingredient is typically sold in oral capsules and would not be suitable for brewing into a tea.

Consumers who want to drink kanna tea should first ask their doctor about safe amounts to have and follow the directions on packaging for how much to use. The right dosage for each individual varies based on their age, the presence of medical conditions and other factors.

Since kanna tea is not as strong as other forms of this herb, consumers might need to take a larger amount to experience its effects. Some use dosages of 200 to 500 mg to start and gradually increase this amount as needed.

However, it is important to avoid taking more than 2 grams, since larger amounts might cause dizziness, vomiting and distorted vision. [4]

Kanna tea made from the roots of this herb requires careful preparation. The herb must first be fermented and dried, then crushed into a powder that can be used as tea. [5]

Kanna does not have to be crushed into a fine powder for use as tea, and consumers should note that many tea recipes include honey to sweeten the taste of this beverage.

Consumers who use kanna tea bags should follow the directions on the package to properly prepare these products. This typically involves placing the tea bags into boiling water and letting them steep for a certain amount of time.

A large number of consumers who drink kanna tea report that it helps them feel relaxed and eases anxiety and stress. A small number of consumers indicated that this herbal tea did not produce any noticeable changes in mood and stress levels.

Side Effects of Kanna Tea

The Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database states that there is insufficient information available on the safety of kanna use. [1] Those who plan on drinking this tea should talk to their doctor first.

Although excessive kanna use might cause intoxication, this is typically associated with chewing the herb rather than drinking it in tea. Mild side effects, such as headaches or appetite loss, have been reported in some individuals who use sceletium tortuosum extracts.

Women who are nursing or pregnant should avoid drinking kanna tea or using other products that contain Sceletium tortuosum due to a lack of information on the safety of these products for developing babies or infants.

Kanna might interact with some kinds of antidepressants that increase serotonin levels. This might cause a higher risk of serotonin syndrome, which is a condition that can occur when the body has excessive serotonin levels.

This herb might also interact with herbs and supplements that are known for having sedative effects, such as St. John’s wort and 5-HTP, according to the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. [1]

Those who take these herbs and supplements or use selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressants should not drink kanna tea without consulting a doctor.

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