Sceletium tortuosum (Kanna / Mesembrine)

Sceletium tortuosum is not consumed as a macronutrient source; it is valued almost exclusively for its bioactive alkaloid profile. Primary alkaloids (dried plant material): Mesembrine (0.3–1.5% dry weight, the dominant psychoactive alkaloid; a serotonin reuptake inhibitor and PDE4 inhibitor), Mesembrenone (0.1–0.8% dry weight; potent serotonin reuptake inhibition, often higher relative proportion in fermented material), Mesembrenol (trace–0.3%), and Mesembranol (trace–0.2%). Alkaloid ratios shift significantly depending on whether the plant is fresh, sun-dried, or traditionally fermented ('kougoed' preparation); fermentation typically increases mesembrenone relative to mesembrine and reduces oxalic acid content. Other bioactive compounds: Trace flavonoids and phenolic compounds contribute mild antioxidant activity; 4'-O-demethylmesembrenol has been identified in small quantities. Minerals (approximate, per dried herb): Calcium (~1.0–2.5 mg/g), Magnesium (~0.8–1.5 mg/g), Potassium (~5–12 mg/g), Iron (~0.05–0.15 mg/g), Zinc (trace). Oxalic acid: Present in significant concentrations in unfermented material (~2–4% dry weight), which is one reason traditional preparation involves fermentation to reduce oxalate levels. Macronutrients: Negligible protein (~3–6%), negligible fat (<1%), modest crude fiber (~15–25%), and carbohydrates primarily as structural plant polysaccharides — none nutritionally significant at typical dosing (50–400 mg standardized extract). Vitamins: No meaningful concentrations of vitamins have been documented. Bioavailability notes: Mesembrine is readily absorbed orally with onset of effects typically within 30–60 minutes; sublingual/buccal administration accelerates absorption due to bypass of first-pass hepatic metabolism. Standardized commercial extracts (e.g., Zembrin®) are typically standardized to total alkaloid content of ≥0.35–0.40%, with defined mesembrenone-to-mesembrine ratios. The alkaloids are lipophilic enough for good gastrointestinal absorption, and bioavailability is considered moderate-to-high based on pharmacokinetic profiling in human studies.