Kanna | REVIEW | What It Is – Benefits – Risks – Side Effects

A natural product, the herb Kanna, known for its potent soothing and calming effect, will be the subject of this review. 

As scientific studies show, the use of this herb helps to relieve the body from the stressful and destructive stress and generally from psychological conditions creating a tension and producing adverse effects on the body.

A quite large number of people make use of Kanna herb as a natural antidepressant.

Kanna – What is

The plant Kanna is mainly found in South Africa. It has been widely used for centuries – in the traditional local medicine – as a medicinal product for improving mood, as a sedative, even as a product offering euphoria and relaxation.

A broad range of uses for the plant’s root and leaves include use as a tobacco, tincture, and as a material for preparing a beverage (tea).

A psychotropic plant?

This herb has a psychedelic effect on the body. Very often, users of this herb have reported an effect similar to that of alcohol or even drugs (such as cocaine).

The reason for being so popular is that most of Kanna users report that does not cause any headaches or other side effects.

As a matter of fact, a large part of population uses this herb as an assistant on fighting everyday problems, such as:

• stress
• anxiety
• intensity
• bad mood
• depression
• sadness
• psychogenic bulimia

In other words, the use of Kanna can help alleviate negative emotions in a natural and relatively safe way.

Kanna – Method of use

As already mentioned, Kanna can be used in a number of ways, among of which a quite popular way to use it for smoking, using the fresh leaves dried and chopped. It can also be used in larger pieces or even in fine powder.

But if you are not a smoker you do not need to worry. This herb can be found in tincture or even in dried form for hot beverage preparation.

In fact, it can even be used as a chewing gum or in a more strong form as a snack.

Kanna – Where may provide help

This natural product is a medium for relieve pain (physical or even mental, by helping the user to relax, eliminate oxidative stress, remove “dark thoughts” and bad feelings, and creating a state of euphoria, tranquility and meekness.

The chemicals contained in Kanna may affect the brain, a situation manifested by depression and possibly drowsiness.

Kanna – Origin

Kanna comes from South Africa. A plant very resistant to adverse weather conditions, surviving even during the dry seasons of South Africa, a situation achieved by storing large amounts of water, used at a later stage in a period of severe drought.

Nowadays Kanna is not found in nature only but in systematic cultivation fields as well, for serving public demands worldwide.

It is available in the market either as a processed product (tobacco, powder, dried leaves, natural extracts, or even as honey), or as a whole plant.

There also seeds of the Kanna plant for private cultivation allowing persons to grow their own plant.

The first reference on this plant was made in 1662, by a Dutch citizen arriving in South Africa.

In traditional medicine it was mainly used as a kind of painkiller, following its identification as a substance relieving the pain. More specifically, local tribes as Khoi and San refer to the plant’s use as a painkiller but also for its capability to improve mood dramatically.

Kanna – Use

Kanna is mainly used in cases of:

• insomnia
• stress
• depression
• loss of mood
• psychogenic bulimia
• hangover
• colic
• pain

Surely the use of Kanna is not limited to the cases mentioned above, but it is still used in a wide variety of conditions.

Kanna – Side effects

As already pointed out, scientific studies have not shown clear results for the use of this herb in human body.

As a result, we do not know exactly to what extent is safe and whether it can interact with other chemical ingredients or substances causing health problems.

However, according to user testimonies, the use of this plant (in any form) is not causing unpleasant side effects to body.

No headaches or even addiction has been reported (if used in a proper way).

Especially for women during the periods of pregnancy or breastfeeding is not absolutely clear if Kanna’s use may be dangerous and harmful to baby’s health.

So it’s use is not recommended on these cases, at least ’til expert scientists have clarified its action!

Kanna – Recommended dose

This is the second point in this review lacking any clear indication. The dosage is usually set in accordance with several factors such as gender, age, health status, physical condition and generally many factors of the potential user’s condition and need.

Experts therefore do not give clear instructions for use, which is quite clear and sensible, since studies have not yet finalized any clear results yet.

Even in the case of a completely natural product – the improper use – can be extremely detrimental to body. In some cases it could even lead to fatal results as death.

Conclusion

The Kanna herb originating from South Africa, though already very popular, still lacks the necessary scientific certifications for its safety.

However, there is intention on using this natural product for its beneficial (as evidenced by testimony) properties, first consult a specialist (doctor, physiotherapist, nutritionist or even a health professional).

Remember that, in no case, the instructions of experts on its use should be exceeded, even if this concerns the most natural and unprocessed product.

At the beginning, maintain small doses till the body’s reactions, as well as its effects on pain, anxiety, mental, emotional and physical condition are under control.