Mesembryanthemum tortuosum

Mesembryanthemum tortuosum

The kanna or kaugoed (Mesembryanthemum tortuosum L.) is a succulent plant belonging to the Aizoaceae family.

Systematics –
From a systematic point of view it belongs to:
Eukaryota domain,
Kingdom Plantae,
Subkingdom Tracheobionta,
Spermatophyta superdivision,
Magnoliophyta division,
Class Magnoliopsida,
Subclass Caryophyllidae,
Order Caryophyllales,
Aizoaceae family,
Genus Mesembryanthemum,
Species M. tortuosum.
The terms are synonyms:
– Mesembryanthemum aridum Moench;
– Mesembryanthemum concavum Haw.;
– Pentacoilanthus tortuosus (N.E.Br.) Rappa & Camarrone;
– Phyllobolus tortuosus (L.) Bittrich;
– Sceletium boreale L.Bolus;
– Sceletium compactum L.Bolus;
– Sceletium concavum (Haw.) Schwantes;
– Sceletium framesii L.Bolus;
– Sceletium gracile L.Bolus;
– Sceletium joubertii L.Bolus;
– Sceletium namaquense L.Bolus;
– Sceletium namaquense subsp. subglobosum L.Bolus;
– Sceletium namaquense var. subglobosum L.Bolus;
– Sceletium ovatum L.Bolus;
– Sceletium tortuosum (L.) N.E.Br.;
– Sceletium tugwelliae L.Bolus;
– Tetracoilanthus concavus (Haw.) Rappa & Camarrone.

Etymology –
The term Mesembryanthemum comes from ancient Greek and literally means “flower at noon”. This term has been used to describe a range of succulent plants native to southern Africa, with flowers that open during midday and close at night.
The specific epithet tortuosum comes from the Latin and means “tortuous”, a term that is often used to describe the growth or twisted shape of a plant or part of it. In the specific case, reference to the growth and twisted shape of its stems or branches.

Geographic Distribution and Habitat –
Mesembryanthemum tortuosum is a plant endemic to the Cape Provinces of South Africa, mainly the desert regions of the Karoo.
Its natural habitat is that of arid and hot environments, where sunlight is abundant. The plant grows best in well-drained, sandy soil. It is able to withstand drought conditions and tolerates high temperatures. This plant is often found in rocky habitats, sandy slopes and sandy coastal areas.

Description –
Mesembryanthemum tortuosum is a succulent plant that has a distinctive and unique appearance.
The stems are low and prostrate and spread horizontally across the ground, forming dense, compact carpets. The stems are fleshy, deep green in color and can be slightly tortuous, hence its common name “tortuosum”.
The leaves are small, triangular or cylindrical and are oppositely arranged along the stems. They are grayish-green in color and often covered with a fine down, which serves as an adaptation to conserve water.
What makes this plant particularly fascinating is its ability to react to its surroundings. During daylight hours, the leaves are open and point up, exposing the green surfaces to sunlight for photosynthesis. However, when the sun goes down or under conditions of stress, the leaves close into a small cone, reducing the exposed surface and thus reducing the loss of water by evaporation.
During the flowering season it produces showy and colorful flowers. Its flowers are usually deep yellow or other colors and have fleshy petals that open during the day and close at night or in low light. The flowers can reach a diameter of about 2-3 centimeters and are very attractive to bees and other pollinating insects.
After flowering, the plant produces capsules or small, dry fruits. These fruits are generally not considered particularly decorative or of interest for human or animal consumption. The capsules, usually light brown in colour, contain numerous small black seeds. As the fruits ripen, the capsules open and release the seeds which can be dispersed by wind or other means.

Cultivation –
Mesembryanthemum tortuosum is a drought tolerant and low maintenance plant. It is often grown as an ornamental plant in rockeries, flower beds or containers, due to its unusual appearance and colorful flowering. Additionally, its ability to tolerate dry weather makes it a popular choice for arid gardens, where water conservation is a priority.
An interesting feature is its ability to close its fleshy leaves when touched or when environmental conditions become adverse, such as during drought or cold weather. This survival mechanism helps reduce moisture loss through evaporation.
It is also a salt tolerant plant, which means it can tolerate exposure to salty waters or saline soils. This characteristic means that the plant also grows near coastal areas or in areas where the soil can be salty.
Its adaptability to arid conditions and its salt tolerance make it an ideal plant for the desert and coastal environments of South Africa.
As regards the specific cultivation conditions, the following is reported.
– Climate: Mesembryanthemum tortuosum thrives in hot, dry climates similar to those of its natural habitat. It is adaptable to warm temperatures and tolerates direct sun well.
– Light: This plant needs a lot of direct sunlight to grow properly. Try to provide at least 6-8 hours of sunlight per day.
– Soil: Prefers well-drained, sandy soil. Make sure the soil has good drainage capacity to avoid waterlogging, as excess moisture can cause root rot.
– Watering: During the growing season, water the plant sparingly, waiting for the soil to dry completely between waterings. Reduce watering during the winter or when the plant is in a dormant state.
– Multiplication: The plant can be grown from seeds and propagated by cuttings but does not tolerate frost.
– Additional care: Mesembryanthemum tortuosum can be susceptible to attacks by parasites such as aphids or mealybugs.

Customs and Traditions –
Mesembryanthemum tortuosum is a plant that has been traditionally used since prehistoric times, by South African shepherds and hunters, who chewed the dry plant or smoked it, to relieve the symptoms of hunger and thirst and to sedate or improve their mood.
The plant is popularly known as kanna, channa and kougoed, which literally means ‘chew things’ or ‘something to chew’. It is also known as the plant of life or plant of happy love.
The native South African groups used the aerial parts to obtain a vegetable pulp which was chewed repeatedly to extract the juice which was then ingested. The mash was left to ferment in closed containers for several days before being consumed. Although the plant has no hallucinogenic effect, it was considered in some reports from over two centuries ago as a substance that could cause loss of consciousness and produce delirium. However, it is important to note that the effects can vary from person to person and that the use of the plant for psychoactive purposes is not legally regulated in many countries.
This plant contains a substance called mesembrine, which can have sedative and anti-anxiety effects. Therefore, it is sometimes used in ethnomedical traditions as a natural remedy for anxiety and stress.
Today the plant is marketed on websites and in smart shops in the form of tablets or capsules, and is recommended for the treatment of anxiety and depressed mood, as a support for smoking cessation, in the case of attention, as an aid in the phases of intense study. The typical recommended dose ranges between 50 and 100 mg once or twice a day, although larger doses can be taken under the supervision of a doctor.
Although they have not been scientifically proven, there may be interactions between the use of this plant and some narcotic substances given its ability to influence neuroreceptors. For these reasons it should never be used by those who use psychotropic drugs (anxiolytics, sedatives, antidepressants), drugs of any kind, and in cases of cardiovascular disease. Its effect during pregnancy is not known. Although some testimonies of the past told of the psychedelic properties of kanna, modern studies deny that it has hallucinogenic effects. If snorted, 50–200 mg is enough to cause effects, but it can have the same effects if smoked using larger doses (100–250 mg). It can also be ingested, but the latter method requires an even higher dose (500mg and up). Assumed in these ways it produces euphoria and an analgesic action. As in many other psychotropics, an equal quantity can elicit more or less strong effects depending on the subject.
From a biochemical point of view, the plant contains alkaloids in a percentage equal to 1-1.5%. Mesembrine appears to be the main alkaloid (0.3 and 0.86% respectively in the leaves and in the stem). Also present are mesembrenone, 4′-O-desmethylmesembrenol and tortuosamine. The active ingredients are contained in the aerial parts of the plant. The content of mesembrine and 4′-O-desmethylmesembrenol decreases during the preparation phases of the vegetable pulp of the plant according to the traditional method; the mesembrone, on the other hand, following the same treatment undergoes an increase in concentration. Mesembrin, a serotonin reuptake or reuptake inhibitor which in neurology is the process by which the neurotransmitter found in the intersynaptic space is reabsorbed at the level of the pre-synaptic membrane.
For this reason it has antidepressant, mildly sedative and anxiolytic effects, active even at low doses (100 µg). It also shows activity as a PDE4 (phosphodiesterase 4) inhibitor. Mesembrine is therefore used by a number of physicians for the treatment of mild to moderate depression, psychological or psychiatric disorders characterized by anxiety, alcohol or drug addiction, bulimia nervosa or obsessive compulsive disorder. The inhibitory activity has also been observed at the level of dopaminergic, adrenergic and nicotinic receptors, which justifies the traditional use of this plant as an anxiolytic.
Mesembrenone has shown in vitro antitumor activity against the human tumor cell line Molt 4. There are no studies concerning the pharmacological effects of tortuosamine in both laboratory animals and humans. The possibility of using Sceletium as a treatment for Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s is also being studied.
As far as toxicity and adverse effects are concerned, no data relating to acute toxicity are known for the active ingredients of the plant. However, attention must be paid, as mentioned, to the interactions that the active ingredients of the plant can have with other substances. Mesembrin, being a serotonin reuptake inhibitor, may interact with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). The use of the plant should therefore be avoided in case of therapies with such drugs.
It can also interact with plants whose intake causes similar pharmacological effects, such as: Syrian rue (Peganum harmala), Passion flower (Passiflora incarnata), Yohimbe (Corynanthe yohimbe) as well as with some antidepressants.
A synergistic effect between Mesembryanthemum and alcohol or Cannabis sativa has often been noted. In particular, the literature reports the case of a polydrug user who experienced an episode of traumatic flashback following the concomitant intake of alcohol, cannabis and mesembryanthemum.
Side effects include:
– Mild headache;
– Mild nausea;
– Loss of appetite;
– Momentary irritability;
– Insomnia when taken before going to sleep.
In Italy, mesembrine is included in table I pursuant to article 14 of Presidential Decree no. 309/90, updated by the Decree of 23 December 2019. Although the active principle has been inserted, the plant that contains it is not yet present in the table.
In Europe there are no legal restrictions on Mesembryanthemum tortuosum or its active ingredients. Its possession, trade and cultivation are legal in the United States, although its use in the food sector is not approved.

Method of Preparation –
Mesembryanthemum tortuosum is a plant with fleshy leaves and bright flowers that is often grown as an ornamental plant. However, the plant is also known for its psychoactive properties and is used in some spiritual and cultural traditions.
The parts of the plant used for psychoactive purposes are mainly the leaves. To prepare the plant, the leaves are harvested and left to dry completely. Once dried, they can be consumed in several ways:
– Chewing: The dried leaves can be chewed directly to extract the active ingredients. Some people like to combine the leaves with a piece of sugar or honey to enhance the flavor.
– Infusion: The dried leaves can be used to prepare a tea or an infusion. Simply place the leaves in hot water and let them steep for a few minutes. The liquid can then be filtered and drunk.
– Extraction: It is possible to extract the active ingredients of the leaves using solvents such as alcohol. This process requires specialist knowledge and it is important to take precautions to ensure proper handling of the chemicals.

Guido Bissanti

Sources
– Acta Plantarum – Flora of the Italian Regions.
– Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
– GBIF, the Global Biodiversity Information Facility.
– Useful Tropical Plants Database.
– Conti F., Abbate G., Alessandrini A., Blasi C. (ed.), 2005. An annotated checklist of the Italian vascular flora, Palombi Editore.
– Pignatti S., 1982. Flora of Italy, Edagricole, Bologna.
– Treben M., 2000. Health from the Lord’s Pharmacy, Advice and experiences with medicinal herbs, Ennsthaler Editore.

Photo source:
– https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/15312472/original.jpg

Attention: The pharmaceutical applications and alimurgical uses are indicated for informational purposes only, they do not in any way represent a medical prescription; we therefore decline all responsibility for their use for curative, aesthetic or food purposes.