Sceletium is one of the most usable and functional herbs for mental and emotional wellness that exists in the world today. Sceletium tortuosum (also known as Kanna or Kougoed) is a succulent plant native to Southern Africa. It is often found covering the ground, in the shade of larger bushes. This remarkable and sacred plant has been used by the Khoikhoi for hundreds of years. Traditionally the plant was dried and chewed (hence the name Kougoed, meaning “chewing stuff”) or smoked. It was often smoked in ceremony and mixed with a variety of other different herbs. In recent years, it has been made into capsules, oils, teas, as well as full or partial alkaloid extracts.
Our Sceletium Elixir has been made with 100% organically grown Sceletium/Kanna in South Africa. We blend the Sceletium extract with MCT coconut oil, we've found it synergises extremely well with our Sceletium extract. The result of your blend is a very easy to use and powerful healing elixir. The oil is used orally (sublingual - under the tongue). It is very versatile, and can be used in a couple of ways:
- Daily use to relieve anxiety and tension from stressful environments such as work, studying, etc. Can be used either as needed or as part of your daily medicine regimen (usually taken after breakfast and after lunch, can also be taken through out the day if needed)
- As a 'rescue remedy': Can be used when you find yourself in traumatic and stressful situation, or if you know you're about to enter such a situation can be taken slightly before hand.
Sceletium has a range of popular medicinal and therapeutic benefits including:
Emotional Wellness: Sceletium integrates and meditates the mind, body and emotions, helping to put you in calm, clear and relaxed state. It helps calm overactive minds whilst allowing speech to flow and thoughts to be more focused. It helps you ‘get in touch’ with your heart centre thus allowing a more positive outlook.
Mood Enhancement: Sceletium has very reliable mood boosting properties. It greatly enhances serotonin function in the brain. In higher dosages, it can result in gentle, yet noticeable, euphoria.
Anti-Depressant: Sceletium is a natural and safer option than chemical SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Re-Uptake Inhibitors), which often have many unpleasant, undesired side effects. Sceletium acts as an SRA (Serotonin Releasing Agent), which have been found to be more effective, balanced and harmonious approach than Re-Uptake Inhibitors. (Note: Sceletium should not be taken at the same time as chemical SSRIs)
Anti-Anxiety: Kanna has been traditionally used for millennia as an anti-anxiety remedy. Sceletium works in a direct, apoptogenic way to give you peace of mind, bringing about a sense of calmness and centeredness to the mind, body and soul. It can be used as an on-the-go ‘rescue remedy’.
Stress Reduction: Living in the modern world, especially in urban cities, many people deal with stress that comes from information overload, time scarcity, nature deficit disorder, etc. A key aspect to dealing with stress is to remain grounded and centred amongst our often chaotic environment. Sceletium helps in this regard, allowing us to slow down, breath and gain perspective of the bigger picture.
Alcohol, drug & smoking addictions: Sceletium has incredible benefits for those wishing to stop smoking, drinking and other forms of substance abuse. It helps alleviate the tendency to compulsively and obsessively think about the substance, as well as significantly reduce withdrawal symptoms.
Social phobia & euphoriant: Sceletium has incredible benefits in helping those with social anxiety. It eases communication and using Kanna at slightly higher dosages induces open-hearted euphoria.
Whilst the above list are the most popular uses, Sceletium is also widely used to help with:
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) / Grey Weather Syndrome, Concentration, OCD Treatment, Libido improvement, PTSD, menopause irritability, Cognitive Enhancement, Yoga, Meditation and more.
We have various forms of Sceletium – raw powders, extracts and our most popular form, elixirs.
Please note: When using to treat serious ailments/illnesses such as depression, please consult us or your doctor/healer before use
DOSAGE
Take orally (sublingual - under tongue). Can also be put into water, drinks or onto your food - however oral method is best.
We use 5mg Sceletium Alkaloids per ml of oil.
That equates to 200 to 250 micro gram alkaloids per drop. Depending on the drop size.
An adult dosage is 3 drops. 5 drops is a strong dose.
A standard regular/daily dosage is 1-5 drops (depending on how severe your anxiety, stress, tension is), usually twice a day (after breakfast and after lunch). Can be take more than twice a day if needed. It's important to note that everyone reacts differently to Sceletium (and natural medicine in general) so it's important to find the dose right to you. The above serve as a good guideline though)
You can also take 1-5 drops as needed. If you suddenly are feeling anxious, taking a few drops can often help stablise and enhance your mood. Like wise, if you know you're going into a stressful situation (such as a job interview or exam), you can take a few drops to help. Please remember to figure out what dosage is right for you, everyone is different.
Although we recommend not taking over 10 drops at a time, you cannot overdose on Sceletium. High doses may result in euphoria for an hour or two, after which you usually get quite tired.
Please consult your doctor or a health professional before using Sceletium with other prescription drugs.
INGREDIENTS
Sceletium extract & coconut MCT oil (as carrier oil)
Sceletium extract is ~3% total alkaloids, ~80% Mesembrine
MORE ABOUT SCELETIUM
Also known as Kanna, Channa, Kougoed
Sceletium tortuosum was used by the Khoikhoi, South African hunter-gatherers, as a mood enhancing substance for hundreds of years. The first known written account of the plant's use was in 1662 by Jan van Riebeeck. The traditionally prepared dried Sceletium was often chewed (hence the name Kougoed - which literally means 'something to chew') and the saliva swallowed. In recent years it has also been made into gel caps, teas and tinctures. Sceletium can also be inhaled as a snuff, or smoked, usually with the addition of other herbs. Kanna enhances the effects of alcohol and cannabis. Their combination may produce mild visions. The Khoikhoi were known to smoke kanna with a variety of different herbs, including cannabis, damiana, blue lotus flowers, wild dagga, tongkat ali and ginseng are other herbs that combine well with kanna.
General uses
Sceletium elevates mood and decreases anxiety, stress and tension.
It is used to treat depression and is excellent for rehabilitating drug addictions as it is not addictive itself. In larger doses it can cause euphoria, initially with stimulation and later with sedation. It has also been used as an appetite suppressant by shepherds walking long distances in arid areas.
Price Increase:
Please note that due to an increase of our suppliers price, we are increasing our Sceletium Elixir pricing to R300 per 10ml bottle (retail price)
Medical and supplement use
Sceletium is being used successfully by a number of psychiatrists, psychologists and doctors with excellent results for anxiety states and mild to moderate depression. It is often used as a daily supplement to elevate mood and decrease anxiety and tension. Is is commonly used for the stress and mental fatigue of modern industrial living.
Sceletium has been used as a natural supplement in:
- Low mood, including grey weather syndrome
- Anxiety states, including social phobia
- Irritability in menopause
- Improvement in libido, when lack of libido is from anxiety or low mood
- Post-traumatic stress disorder, as part of a support program
Kanna is commonly used a nautral antidepressant. Many of the active alkaloids in kanna function as Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SRI). This means they inhibit the decomposition of natural available serotonin in the brain and allow the brain to function with lower levels of this neurotransmitter.
In addition to these better-known clinical uses, Sceletium is commonly used in drug addiction rehabilitation and serves as a very good treatment for alcoholism as well as pre-alcoholic behaviours that would tend to lead to full-blown alcohol dependency.
Chemistry and Pharmacology
Sceletium tortuosum contains mesembrine and the related alkaloids mesembranol and mesembranone. Mesembrine is known for its effects on the central nervous system. The compounds also act as serotonin-uptake inhibitors, and in specified doses act as anti-depressants, minor tranquilizers and anxiolytics used in the treatment of mild to moderate depression, psychological and psychiatric disorders where anxiety is present, major depressive episodes, alcohol and drug dependence, bulimia nervosa, and obsessive-compulsive disorders.
Depression, SSRIs & Sceletium
Sceletium works wonders for those with depression and require a daily/regular medicine to help.
SSRIs are commonly given to those diagnosed with depression these days. Whilst chemical drugs do have their place in treating ailments such as depression and anxiety - they often do not work with the bodies natural processes.
To put it simply, SSRIs forcefully block your serotonin neurotransmitter sites from 'reabsorbing' serotonin to be rebalanced in your body as your day goes by. Reuptaking serotonin is a normal and necessary rhythmic process your body goes through each day, maintaining homeostasis and balance in your body. This stops your brain and body from rebuilding itself naturally, thereby causing many other problems with the brain, body and nervous system.
Sceletium on the other hand works homogeneously with your serotonin receptor sites. Besides prolonging the activity of serotonin, sceletium also enhances the production of dopamine, which is our primary inner pleasure chemical.
Sceletium contains a major alkaloid called Mesembrine. Mesembrine has been demonstrated to be a potent serotonin regulator and serotonin releasing agent.
Sceletium works naturally with your body to uplift mood, calm and focus your mind, relax your nervous system, decrease tension and stress, and truly bring emotional wellness on all levels.
We are very proud to have this incredible medicine in our range.
