Kanna (Sceletium tortuosum) is a succulent from South Africa's Karoo region, used for centuries by the San and Khoikhoi peoples as a chew, snuff, and tea. Azarius stocks six forms of kanna — shredded plant material, fermented fine shred, three grades of powder, and a sublingual liquid extract — so you can buy the format that matches how you actually want to use it. Online since 1999.
Azarius
Kanna Shredded
Azarius
Kanna Powder
Azarius
Kanna Fine Powder
Azarius
Kanna Liquid Extract
Kanna (Sceletium tortuosum) is a succulent from South Africa's Karoo region, used for centuries by the San and Khoikhoi peoples as a chew, snuff, and tea. Azarius stocks six forms of kanna — shredded plant material, fermented fine shred, three grades of powder, and a sublingual liquid extract — so you can buy the format that matches how you actually want to use it. Online since 1999.
Kanna comes in two broad categories: whole-plant preparations (shredded or fine-shredded) and extracts (powders and tinctures). The shredded forms keep the full alkaloid profile intact — mesembrine, mesembrenone, and mesembrenol — and are what you'd reach for if you want the traditional chew or a slow cup of tea. The powders and liquid extract are concentrated, faster, and easier to dose precisely.
This guide walks through the six kanna formats we carry, what each one is actually good for, and which one to start with if you've never ordered Sceletium before.
| Format | Grind / Type | Best route | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kanna Shredded (RU8) | Coarse plant material | Chew or tea | First-time buyers who want the traditional form |
| Kanna Fine Shredded (UB40) | Fine cut, fermented | Tea or sublingual wad | Tea drinkers who want faster extraction |
| Kanna Powder (ET2) | Ground extract | Sublingual, capsule, drink | Precise dosers with a mg scale |
| Kanna Fine Powder (FS20) | Flour-like mill | Sublingual, warm drinks | Sublingual users who hate gritty texture |
| Kanna Ultra Fine Powder (ET4) | Finest grind available | Sublingual, dissolves in tea | Experienced users chasing fastest onset |
| Kanna Liquid Extract (FS30) | Tincture, 1% mesembrine standardised | Sublingual drops | Anyone who wants drop-by-drop control |
Choosing by route is simpler than choosing by strength. Decide first how you want to take it — tea, under the tongue, or mixed into a drink — and the format follows.
If you've never bought kanna before, order the Kanna Shredded (RU8) in 5g. It's the traditional form, forgiving to work with, and brews into a straightforward (bitter) tea. You get a feel for the plant itself before you shop for extracts.
If you already know you prefer sublingual use, skip the shredded and go for the Fine Powder (FS20) or Ultra Fine Powder (ET4) — the finer the grind, the faster it absorbs under the tongue. If you want the most control over your dose without weighing anything, the Liquid Extract (FS30) gives you drop-by-drop precision. Experienced users who dose with a milligram scale tend to shop the ET2 powder because it's versatile across routes.
When in doubt, start with the shredded. It's the format humans have used for a few hundred years, and there's a reason it's still on the shelf.
The three compounds that matter are mesembrine, mesembrenone, and mesembrenol. Whole-plant shredded preparations keep the natural ratio between all three. Extracts and standardised tinctures shift that balance — the Liquid Extract, for example, is standardised to 1% mesembrine specifically. Neither approach is "better"; they're different tools. Traditionalists prefer the whole plant. People who want repeatable, measurable doses prefer the extract.
Shredded kanna is coarsely cut plant material — you brew it as tea or chew it. Kanna powder is a ground extract: more concentrated, faster to absorb, and easier to dose precisely. Shredded is traditional; powder is practical.
Start with Kanna Shredded (RU8) in the 5g size. It's the traditional whole-plant form, brews into a simple tea, and gives you a feel for the plant before you move on to extracts or tinctures.
Yes. Fermentation is the traditional San/Khoikhoi process that shifts the alkaloid profile — generally reducing bitterness and altering the mesembrine-to-mesembrenone ratio. Kanna Fine Shredded (UB40) is fermented; our shredded RU8 and powders vary by batch.
Yes, and it's one of the fastest routes. The finer the grind, the better — Fine Powder (FS20) and Ultra Fine Powder (ET4) are built for it, and the Liquid Extract (FS30) is specifically designed for drops under the tongue.
Steep shredded kanna in hot (not boiling) water for 10–15 minutes. The Fine Shredded UB40 extracts noticeably faster than the coarse RU8. Expect a bitter cup — honey or lemon helps.
This guide is written for adults aged 18 and over.
Last updated: April 2026
Medical disclaimer. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before use of any substance.
