Sceletium tortuosum - also known as Kougoed, Kaugoed, Channa, and Kanna - is a small ground-cover plant growing native in Southern Africa. For hundreds of years the native people of Southern Africa have used Sceletium tortuosum to enhance mood and to relax.

Historically Sceletium tortuosum was eaten/chewed, smoked or used as snuff to produce euphoria and alertness which gently turned into relaxation. If chewed in sufficient quantity Sceletium has a mild anesthetic effect in the mouth, much like Kava. The main active chemical in Kanna is mesembrine,

Kanna is believed to act as a Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI). People taking any psychiatric drug (including all anxiety drugs, sedatives, hypnotics, anti-depressants and anti-psychotics and so-called designer or recreation drugs) or any cardiac medications, are advised not to take any Sceletium-containing products.

Charles Thunberg wrote about Kanna in 1773: “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.”

Catha edulis, Khat, was extremely popular in ancient Egypt.

Khat was used to increase conversation. Catha edulis is little-known today outside its common use by Arab males in Yemen.

The United States has seen some popularity growth for Khat, but it is mostly limited to Arab immigrants. Catha edulis foliage, commonly called Khat or Quat, is illegal in the U.S.

Damiana - Turnera diffusa - is also called Mexican Damiana and Mizib-coc. Damiana has a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine throughout the world. It is thought to have properties making it to act as an aphrodisiac, antidepressant, cough-suppressant, tonic, mild laxative and diuretic.

Turnera diffusa is a common admixture to many herbal smoking blends.

In mexico, women commonly drink tea of Damiana before having sexual intercourse. Damiana is known to bring strength to the nervous system and treat depression.

Phalaris Grass, also known as Canary Reed Grass, is common in many areas and is even considered a weed in some parts of the United States.

While Phalaris arundinicea has been dated to the age of Antiquity, there was no evidence of use as an ethnobotanical until recently.

The Canary Grass seeds are very easy to grow — just plant and water. They will thrive in most climates and do especially well indoors.

Passiflora incarnata, also called Passion Flower, is a beautifull Perrenial with sweet scented flowers and unique flower structure. Passiflora incarnata has been used as a sedative to aid in the treatment of insomnia. In homeopathic medicine Passion Flower was used to treat epilepsy.

The medicinal properties of Passiflora incarnata have a long history of use by native North Americans. The Cherokee are known to be using Passion Flower in many religious ceremonies.

The flowers are highly sought after and considered to be the most potent part of the plant. The dried herb has been valued as an antispasmodic, hypnotic, and sedative.

Dream Herb - Calea zacatechichi - was traditionally used by the Chontal Natives of Oaxaca, Mexico. It still is being traditionally used by the Chontal Indians to induce dreams. It would be prepared as a tea and drank while smoking a cigarette made up of the Calea zacatechichi foliage just before going to bed.

Exactly how Dream Herb (Calea zacatechichi) effects the brain is not well understood. The plant contains 0.01% of a crystalline alkaloid, C21H26O8. Modern studies have shown an increase in brain activity during sleep and some minor hallucinations of subjects when awake.

It has been found to increase the superficial stages of sleep and the number of spontaneous awakenings. Those who partook of the Dream Herb were able to experience lucid dreaming; the ability to control and remember their dreams with less effort.

Auditory hallucinations are also fairly common, which prompted the Chontals, believing they were hearing the voice of God, to refer to Calea zacatechici as Leaf of God. A feeling of well-being is said to persist for a day or more with no unpleasant side effects.

Lepidium meyenii AKA Maca or Peruvian ginseng is a sort of natural alternative to Viagra. Maca Root has been used for centuries as an aphrodisiac and impotence remedy.

The Maca Root powder was used by the pre-Incan Andean tribes and by the Incas as an energizer during combat. The Incas used Lepidium meyenii to give them energy and courage.

Lepidium meyenii was and is brewed into a tea or mixed with food. The plant has been shown to increase stamina, male potency and endurance as well as mental acuity. Maca is often used in combination with Catuaba, Marapuama, and Yohimbe Bark.

The saguaro cactus has been described as the monarch of the Sonoran Desert, as a prickly horror, as the supreme symbol of the American Southwest, and as a plant with personality.

The Saguaro is renowned for the variety of odd, all-too-human shapes it assumes, shapes that inspire wild and fanciful imaginings.

Saguaro are found only in the Sonoran desert. The giant saguaro is the king of cacti. A full-grown saguaro is usually more than 35 feet in height and is at least 75 years old, sometimes reaching a height of 50 feet and life span of 200 years.

Some have arms but all are green and have a wax-like skin that helps prevent water loss. Rare and endangered this extraordinary giant cactus has been protected within Saguaro National Park since 1933.