Kanna

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.

Buy Kanna Online — Formats, Grinds, and How to Choose

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.

Kanna Format Comparison

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.

What We Carry

• Whole-plant shredded — Kanna Shredded (RU8) and Kanna Fine Shredded (UB40). Traditional preparations that preserve the full plant profile.
• Powder extracts — Kanna Powder (ET2), Fine Powder (FS20), and Ultra Fine Powder (ET4). Three grind sizes for different absorption speeds.
• Liquid extract — Kanna Liquid Extract (FS30), standardised to 1% mesembrine for consistent dosing.
• Pack sizes — shredded forms come in 5g, 10g, and 25g; powders in 1g or 5g/10g/25g depending on grade; tincture in 2ml.

How to Choose Your Kanna

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.

A note on kanna's alkaloids

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between shredded kanna and kanna powder?

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.

Which kanna should I buy as a beginner?

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.

Is fermented kanna different from unfermented?

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.

Can I use kanna sublingually?

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.

How do I brew kanna tea?

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