The family Mesembryanthemaceae contains many pharmacologically active species. One of the most utilized by native peoples in South Africa was the genus Sceletium, for which whole tribes would travel hundreds of miles to pick a years supply. The plants of the Sceletium genus were utilized as an intoxicant; however much of the information available has been spotty and contradictory.

In an effort to clarify the role and usage of Sceletium in it's historical context a search was done on Medline which yielded the following information, derived from a report in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology (#50 1996 pgs 119-30)

As early as 1662 it is reported that a man named van Riebeeck bartered with the local inhabitants for sheep and Sceletium, which was very plentiful and considered the "greatest clearer of spirits, and the noblest Restorative in the world". In 1685 it was recorded by the second colonial governor of the Dutch Cape Colony, van der Stel, of the natives; "They chew mostly a certain plant which they call "Canna". They use it as the Indians use betel or areca, and are of a very cheerful nature it is held by them in great esteem as the betel or areca with the Indians."

"They chew its stem as well as the roots, mostly all day, and become intoxicated with it, so that on account of this effect one can expect some profit from its cultivation."

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 immediately after fermentation, it intoxicates."

Laidler in 1928 noted that it 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."

Although primarily chewed, there are reports of it being taken as a tea (Jacobsen 1960) and also as a snuff (Jacobson 1960). Thunberg wrote in his journal in 1794, in reference to the San peoples; "These people chew 'Canna' (Mesembryanthemum) and afterwards smoke it."

Paterson, one who traveled in the same region wrote in 1789; "this is called the Channa land; and derives it's name from a species of mezembryanteimum (sic) which is called Channa by the natives, and is exceedingly esteemed among them. They make use of it both in chewing and in smoaking (sic); when mixed with Dacka (sic) is very intoxicating, and which appeared to be of that species of hemp which is used in the East Indies by the name of Bang."

There have been many additional reports from self-experimenters who used the traditionally prepared material orally and most of these found a marked anxiolytic effect. "One informant used approximately 5ml of powdered 'kougoed' (sceletium) orally before giving a lecture that he was anxious about. He reported feeling relaxed throughout the lecture, with no cognitive impairment one user claimed she felt that 'kougoed' was a truth drug some felt that there was a synergistic effect with alcohol, and with smoked 'dagga' (cannabis sativa) the chewing of 'kougoed' was reported to greatly enhance the psychoactivity of an inferior grade of cannabis smoked shortly thereafter some reported euphoria as well as a feeling of meditative tranquility.

Several users felt that the relaxation induced by 'kougoed' enabled one to focus on inner thoughts and feelings, if one wished, or to concentrate on the beauty of nature. Some informants reported heightened sensation of skin to fine touch, as well as sexual arousal.." (M.T. Smith, N. Gericke, et al).