1g Kanna UB40
by Azarius
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Kanna Fine Shredded (UB40) is a finely cut preparation of Sceletium tortuosum that delivers a smaller particle size for quicker extraction in hot water or under the tongue. Sourced from the same South African succulent that the San and Khoikhoi peoples have chewed for centuries, this shredded cut sits between raw dried herb and a concentrated extract — giving you more surface area without stripping out the full alkaloid profile. If you want kanna that actually dissolves into a tea within minutes rather than floating around like garden mulch, this is the format to grab.
| Variant | Best for |
|---|---|
| 5g | First time with kanna shredded — enough for several sessions to find your preferred amount |
| 10g | You already know you like kanna tea and want a couple of weeks' worth |
| 25g | Regular users who go through kanna weekly — best value per gram |
The whole point of a fine shred is extraction speed. Kanna's key alkaloids — mesembrine, mesembrenone, and mesembrenol — sit inside the plant's cell walls. The finer you cut the material, the more surface area hot water or saliva can reach. A coarse chop might need 15–20 minutes of steeping to pull a decent amount out. This fine shredded cut gets there noticeably faster, typically within 5–10 minutes in near-boiling water.
Compared to a powdered extract like a UB40 concentrate, the shredded herb gives you the complete plant matrix. You're getting the full spectrum of alkaloids alongside plant tannins and flavonoids, not an isolated fraction. Some people find the whole-herb experience smoother and more rounded. Others prefer the precision of a standardised extract. We carry both — the shredded herb here and concentrated kanna extracts if you want something more potent gram-for-gram.
One honest limitation: shredded herb is bulkier. You'll use grams per session rather than milligrams. That's the trade-off for a gentler, full-spectrum preparation. If you're after something you can measure in tiny scoops, a concentrated extract is the better pick. But if you enjoy the ritual of making a cup of kanna tea and sipping it slowly, the shredded cut is the format that actually makes sense.
Dry, it smells faintly herbal with a slightly sour, fermented edge — somewhere between green tea leaves and dried tobacco. The taste as a tea is bitter and earthy. Not unpleasant if you're used to herbal brews, but definitely not something you'd drink for flavour alone. A squeeze of lemon and a spoonful of honey go a long way. Under the tongue, the bitterness is more pronounced, almost astringent — your mouth will water. That's normal. Hold it for 10–15 minutes for best absorption through the mucous membranes.
The texture of this particular shred is noticeably finer than what you'll find from most suppliers. The pieces are small enough to sit flat under the tongue without poking or feeling like you've stuffed a hedge clipping in your mouth. For tea, they settle to the bottom of the cup quickly, which makes straining easier.
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Sceletium tortuosum |
| Common names | Kanna, Channa, Kougoed |
| Plant part | Aerial parts (leaves and stems) |
| Preparation | Dried, fermented, fine shredded |
| Key alkaloids | Mesembrine, mesembrenone, mesembrenol, mesembranone |
| Format | Fine shredded herb (small particle size) |
| Brand | Azarius Herbs |
| Available sizes | 5g, 10g, 25g |
| Origin | South Africa |
| Storage | Cool, dry, dark place — sealed container |
Two main methods work well with this cut. Both are straightforward.
We've stocked kanna in various forms for over two decades now, and the most common mistake we see is people treating shredded herb like a concentrated extract. They are not the same thing. A UB40 extract concentrate might have a suggested starting point of 25mg according to extract product listings. Shredded whole herb operates in a completely different dosage range — grams, not milligrams. The alkaloid concentration in raw plant material is naturally much lower than in a standardised extract. Don't confuse the two.
The second thing worth knowing: kanna is traditionally fermented before use, and this batch follows that process. Fermentation converts some of the oxalic acid in the raw plant and is thought to alter the alkaloid profile. Unfermented kanna tastes noticeably different and may have a different effect profile. If someone tells you they tried kanna and "nothing happened," the first question is always whether it was properly fermented material. This is.
Kanna contains mesembrine, which acts as a serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SRI). This is the same mechanism as many pharmaceutical antidepressants (SSRIs and SNRIs). Because of this shared mechanism, combining kanna with SSRIs, SNRIs, MAOIs, or other serotonergic substances carries a real risk of serotonin syndrome — a potentially dangerous condition involving elevated heart rate, agitation, muscle rigidity, and hyperthermia.
If you are taking any prescription medication that affects serotonin levels, do not use kanna without consulting your prescribing physician. This is not a vague precaution — it is a pharmacological interaction based on the known mechanism of mesembrine.
Common side effects reported in ethnobotanical and user literature include headaches and temporary loss of appetite, particularly at higher doses. Starting conservatively and waiting at least 60–90 minutes before considering more is standard harm-reduction practice with any new botanical.
Pair your kanna shredded with a Kanna Extract UC2 for those days when you want a more concentrated option without brewing tea. Or grab a precision milligram scale — essential if you're working with both shredded herb and extracts, since the dosage ranges differ by orders of magnitude.
Fine shredded kanna is the whole dried and fermented plant, cut into small pieces. Extracts concentrate the alkaloids, so you use milligrams instead of grams. The shredded herb gives you the full plant profile and works well as tea or sublingual. Extracts are more potent per gram and better suited to precise, small doses.
Typically 20–45 minutes when drunk as a tea. Sublingual use tends to be faster — closer to 10–20 minutes — because the alkaloids absorb directly through the mucous membranes rather than passing through the digestive tract first.
You can, though the fine shred is optimised for tea and sublingual use. For vaporising, a dry herb vaporiser set around 188°C works. That said, concentrated extracts are generally more practical for vaporisation since you need far less material per session.
It is bitter and earthy — not the worst herbal tea you'll ever drink, but not something you'd order at a cafe. Honey and lemon help considerably. Mixing with rooibos or peppermint tea masks the bitterness while keeping the preparation simple.
Kanna combined with other substances can intensify effects unpredictably. Ethnobotanical reports note that combining kanna with cannabis or alcohol may produce significantly stronger responses than either substance alone. If you're new to kanna, get to know it on its own first.
Keep it in a sealed container in a cool, dry, dark place. Properly stored, dried kanna retains its potency for 12–18 months. Moisture is the enemy — if it gets damp, it can develop mould. A glass jar with a tight lid works well.
Yes. The 5g pouch gives you several sessions to experiment with different amounts and preparation methods. It is the best starting point if you have not used kanna shredded before and want to find what works for you without committing to a larger quantity.
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.
