Kanna & Quality
Healing Herbals commitment extends through sustainable and ethical sourcing of Sceletium tortuosum. We ensure that our plant material is organically grown, without the use of synthetic chemicals, and sourced either from well-managed farms or sustainably maintained wild ecosystems on private lands.
In alignment with our ethical practices our main suppliers participate in fair sharing agreements with the indigenous San and Khoikhoi communities including the South African San Council. These are the traditional knowledge holders of Sceletium. Additionally our suppliers are authorized by the Western Province Department of Cape Nature to distribute and export Sceletium globally
History of Kanna
This revered herb, indigenous to South Africa, has played a significant role in the lives of the local people, particularly the Khoikhoi and the San tribes, since prehistoric times. These tribes, initially hunter-gatherers, used Kanna for various purposes including relief from thirst and hunger, to combat fatigue, and for social and spiritual purposes. They had a profound connection with the plant, associating it with the sacred eland antelope and referring to it by the same name: 'Kanna'.
The first isolation of an alkaloid from Sceletium tortuosum was in 1898 by Meiring, who called it mesembrine. This discovery led to a deeper understanding of the plant's chemical composition, though its exact composition remains elusive.
Kanna's long-standing history reflects its significance in South African culture and its evolving role in global herbal medicine and recreational use. From its traditional roots to modern applications, Kanna has remained a plant of great interest and value.