Sceletium tortuosum (AKA Kougoed, Kaugoed, Channa, Kanna)
Sceletium Tortuosum is a small groundcover plant native to Southern Africa. For hundreds of years the Hottentots of Southern Africa used Sceletium tortuosum as a mood enhancer, relaxant and empathogen. Dr Nigel Gericke, who is spearheading research into Sceletium tortuosum in South Africa, believes that "Sceletium is one of the most ancient of mind-altering substances, and it is likely to have had a profound influence on the evolution of human consciousness."
Historically Sceletium Tortuosum was eaten/chewed, smoked or used as snuff producing euphoria and alertness which gently fade into relaxation. If chewed in sufficient quantity Sceletium has a mild aneasthetic effect in the mouth, much like kava, and is used by the San tribes if you are about to have a tooth extracted, or in minute doses, for children with colic. A tea made from Sceletium is sometimes used to wean alcoholics off alcohol.
Thunberg, during his 1773 expedition reported: "The Hottentots come far and near to fetch this shrub with the root, leaves and all, which they beat together, and afterwards twist them up like pig-tail tobacco; after which they let the mass ferment and keep it by them for chewing, especially when they are thirsty. If chewed after fermentation, it intoxicates." Laidler in 1928 noted that Sceletium Tortuosum was "chewed and retained in the mouth for a while, when their spirits would rise, eyes brighten and faces take on a jovial air, and they would commence to dance. But if indulged in to excess, it robbed them of their senses and they became intoxicated.
Growing Information:
Sceletium seeds contain germination inhibitors. This is actually a common defense for many plant species because it causes staggered germination, which has various survival benefits in the wild. The inhibitor is soluble in water. So the first step is to remove it, either by an extended soak (up to a few weeks) while remembering to change the water daily or by rinsing the seeds thoroughly under running water. Using the extended soak method, seeds may germinate during the soaking process. As with all cultivation, distilled or bottled water is always better than tap water. Gibberrelic acid treatment will also counteract the effects of the inhibitors and cause quicker, more even germination than any other method. After removing the germination inhibitors, some growers also recommend scarifying the seeds by putting them in a bag of sterile sand and shaking them so that the sand wears down the seed coat. Seeds should then be sown on top of a sterile, sandy soil mixture. Addition of a fungicide is beneficial. Cover the pot with clear plastic to keep in humidity. Optimal germination temperature is about 60-65 degrees Fahrenheit, although some growers prefer temperature fluctuations between day and night. Seeds will do best when placed close to fluorescent lights. Typical germination time is anywhere from two weeks to two months.