HerbHelper: South Africa's cannabis kitchen
Make cannabis edibles from South African favourites like malva pudding, koeksisters and the Gatsby, with the exact THC dose in every piece. Find herb near you with Herbfinder. Free, 18+.
Who we are
HerbHelper is a South African cannabis company based in Cape Town. We make cooking with cannabis at home simple and safe, help adults find herb near them with Herbfinder, and build the software that cannabis businesses run on.
What we do
- The Kitchen: A free tool that turns South African favourites like malva pudding, koeksisters, Gatsbys and boerie rolls into cannabis edibles, with the exact THC dose in every piece.
- Herbfinder: Type your suburb and see the three closest cannabis spots, with directions.
- Pick your night: Tell us the vibe you're after (sleep, chill, giggles) and we'll match you with the right dish.
- Custom infrastructure: Member portals, ticketing, payments and compliance records for cannabis businesses, built and kept running from Cape Town.
Why we do it
Edibles go wrong when nobody knows the dose. Most people guess, eat a second piece too soon, and spend the night on the couch regretting it. We work out the numbers so the only surprise is how good it tastes.
Frequently asked questions
What is HerbHelper?
HerbHelper is a free South African website that works out the exact THC dose for homemade cannabis edibles. You pick a classic like malva pudding, koeksisters or a Gatsby, say how often you smoke, and it tells you how much flower to use and how much THC is in every piece. It also shows you the closest cannabis spots near you.
Is it legal to make cannabis edibles at home in South Africa?
Adults may grow, keep and use cannabis in private, including cooking with it at home, under the Cannabis for Private Purposes Act, 2024. Selling cannabis, buying it from a dealer and using it in public are not allowed. This is a plain-language guide, not legal advice.
How does HerbHelper work out the dose?
Every recipe starts with HerbHelper butter, our cannabis butter: 1 gram of flower infused into 50 grams of butter. We assume strong flower (about 25% THC) and round every number down, so a piece can only ever come out gentler than we say, never stronger. The recipe is then cut into equal pieces so each one holds the same amount.
What is HerbHelper butter?
HerbHelper butter is our cannabis butter. You make it once (1 gram of flower in 50 grams of butter), then every recipe uses a weighed amount of it, so the dose is exact.
How much should I have if it's my first time?
Start with one piece made for first-timers, which is about 2.5 mg of THC. Then wait a full 2 hours before having more. Edibles feel stronger and last longer than smoking.
How long do edibles take to kick in, and how long do they last?
Usually 30 minutes to 2 hours to kick in, and the effect lasts about 6 to 8 hours. Don't drive, and keep edibles labelled and away from children and pets.
Which recipes can I make?
Sweet: malva pudding, koeksisters, buttermilk rusks, melktert, peppermint tart, falooda, a rooibos latte and a bedtime hot chocolate. Savoury: a Gatsby, samosas, chicken tikka, a masala steak sandwich, boerie rolls and braai chops. More South African favourites are on the way.
Does HerbHelper sell or deliver cannabis?
No. HerbHelper doesn't sell, deliver or handle cannabis. We help you cook with it safely and point you to spots near you.
Is HerbHelper free?
Yes. The Kitchen and Herbfinder are free for adults 18 and older.
I own a dispensary or lounge. How do I get listed?
Fill in the short form on this page with your business name, area and WhatsApp number. We WhatsApp you within a day, add you to the map and the “where to get it” list of recipes made near you, and send you a monthly count of the people we send. No commission, and listing is free while we launch.