SCELETIUM TORTUOSUM - MOOD ENHANCING,ANALGESIC AND APPETITE - SUPPRESSING WONDER PLANT OF THE KHOI-KHOI & SAN PEOPLES.

NATURE’S OWN ANTI-DEPRESSANT.
Sceletium tortuosum is a low-growing plant indigenous to South Africa. It is thought likely that the nomadic Khoisan people of this region have been aware of the uplifting properties of Sceletium since prehistoric times. However, it was only during recent years that these benefits have been Introduced to the Western world. Traditionally known as ‘kanna’ or ‘kougoed’ it is renowned for it’s mood enhancing, anti-anxiety, anti-stress, relaxant. sedative, analgesic, appetite suppressing and energising benefits. When ground to a powder and chewed, smoked or used as snuff it fosters a mood of well-being and mental clarity, followed by gentle relaxation. Also, traditionally used by the Khoisan as a medicine plant, safe and effective Sceletium is non-hallucinogenic and no adverse effects have been documented.

SEROTONIN-UPTAKE INHIBITORS.
The action of Sceletium is due to a number of alkaloids including mesembrine, mesembrenol and tortuosamine which appear to interact with the brain’s dopamine and serotonin receptors. Mesembrine is a major alkaloid in Sceletium and has been shown to be a key component that enables the plant to produce positive results as a serotonin-uptake inhibitor. This means that it regulates the effects of one of the brain’s most important neurotransmitters. In depressed persons the neurotransmitter serotonin (also known as 5-hydrotryptamine) is lacking. Mesembrine slows down the uptake process in the receptor, thus allowing the brain to function with reduced levels of serotonin so that natural levels can build up.

KHOISAN TRADITION.
Documents by Dutch officials, dating back to the 17th century record traditional use of Sceletium by the Khoisan, for any number of conditions ranging from low spirits to stress and tension… from the relief of toothache and stomach pains… to it’s use as an appetite/thirst suppressant. As an indication of the safety with which it was regarded, it was, and still is, used (in miniscule quantities) in rural areas, to ease colic in youngsters and to soothe teething infants. It appears that Sceletium plants were so greatly sought after that the Khoisan would undertake long and arduous expeditions in search of them. Their value was so esteemed that they were widely used as a bartering commodity. When dried and powdered Sceletium may be chewed, smoked or used as snuff. (When chewed it has a numbing effect in the mouth.) Commonly known as ‘kanna’ or ’kougoed’, Sceletium was named by the renowned botanist Carl von Linnaeus in 1743 because of the skeletonised appearance of leaf veins in dried leaves.

MULTIPLE BENEFITS.
Today, Sceletium is being used by psychiatrists, psychologists and doctors to treat anxiety and mild depression, alcohol and drug dependence, bulimia nervosa and obsessive-compulsive disorders. The general safety and wellness benefits of Sceletium reinforce it’s value as a natural supplement to elevate the mood, decrease anxiety, relieve stress and counter the mental fatigue and pressures of contemporary living. Helps to generate a sense of well-being, improves social interaction and fosters a meditative mood. Supports the libido. Sceletium provides useful support during periods of prolonged stress, such as: for women when coping with hot flushes, irritability and mood swings during menopause, when giving up alcohol and cigarettes. It is professionally recognized as a effective adjunct to rebalance the brain and nervous system.

SIDE EFFECTS & CONTRAINDICATIONS..
Very few people complain of side effects after taking Selenium. In certain isolated cases there have been reports of mild headache and slight nausea. In cases where insomnia is experienced, this may be overcome by reducing the intake, or taking it earlier in the day. Safe and effective Sceletium is non-hallucinogenic and no adverse effects have been documented. Not recommended for pregnant or lactating women, and persons under 18 years. Caution: Sceletium should not be combined with sedatives, hypnotics, anti-depressants, anti-psychotics, designer drugs or cardiac medications.

REFERENCES:
SMITH MT, CROUCH NR, GERICKE N, HIRST M. Psychoactive constituents of the genus Sceletium NE Br and other Mesembryanthemaceae. 1966. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 50: 119-130. LINNAEUS C. Species plantarum. 1753. Ed.1. Laurentius Salvius. Stockholm. SMITH MT, CROUCH NR, GERICKE N, HIRST M. The distribution of mesembrine alkaloids in selected taxa of the Mesembryanthemaceae and Their modification in the Sceletium derived ‘kougoed’. 1998. Pharmaceutical Biology 36(3): 173-179. FOURIE TG, SWART I, SNYCKERS FO. Folk medicine. A viable point for pharmaceutical research. 1992. South African Journal of Science 88, 190-192. ILGTAUER R. Biochemistry, distribution and taxonomic relevance of higher plant alkaloids. 1988. Phytochemistry 27, 2423-2427. POPELAK A, LETTENBAUER G. The mesembrine alkaloids. In: RHF Manske (Ed), The Alkaloids. Vol.9. 1968. Academic Press, New York, pp 467-482 RIMINGTON C, ROETS GCS. Notes on the isolation of the alkaloidal constituent of the drug ‘channa’ or ‘kougoed’ (Mesembryanthemum anatomicum and Mesembryanthem tortuosum). 1937. Onderstepoort Journal of Veterinary Science and Animal Industry 9 187-191.