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Kanna Scelitium tortuosum

Scelitium tortuosum plant mostly found in south Africa. It is also called Kanna. The plant has been used for many centuries by shepherds and hunt-gatherers as relaxants or mood enhancer. It was commonly smoked or chewed. It is becoming difficult to find this plant in the wild possibly because the public is harvesting it in large numbers. Kanna plant is easily grown. Seeds or cutting from mature plants may be used for rooting. It require warm conditions and good lighting for it to grow.

It can thrive well in a pot or even in the ground where temperatures are more than 60 degrees. Porous clay is good as it prevent rotting of the plant by allowing escape of water. The plant should be watered sparingly, after the roots and shoots have established watering can be increased. Young plants leaves are mostly consumed by snails therefore the plant should be sprayed to control them. the plant is also affected by aphids. The plant is natural, it is not addictive and it is also not a hallucinogen.No side effects have been reported regarding the drugs made from the plant. Western markets have now began using the plant as alternative medicine. They are using it as sedative, relaxants and anesthetics. Among the alcoholics the plant has become very important in curing their diseases. Alcoholics prepare Kanna as tea and drink to help them recover and avoid symptoms of withdrawal.

Pharmaceutical companies are now making capsules or tablets from the plant. Many psychiatrist prefer using medicine made from kanna plant because it is very successful to patients suffering from depression as well as those suffering from anxiety attacks. Most doctors now believe that tablets and capsules are safe to use by those people who suffer from stress.

The plant boost energy and suppress appetite to people who takes it. Sceletium can also be taken by pregnant mothers since no negative side effect has yet been reported. If sufficient amount of Kanna is chewed it act as mild anesthetics during extraction of a tooth