What You Need To Know About Herbs For Weight Loss

With the advancement of technology and science, herbs for weight loss has been included in most weight loss supplements these days. And it's big business! With more and more people in the industrialized world struggling with their weight, the market is wide open for herbs for weight loss. But do they work? Most of the supplements contain a few select vitamins and minerals and a selection of herbs. The herbs fall into several broad categories which we will explore in this article.

Diuretics:
Most weight loss supplements include at least one or two herbs that are diuretics. These won't help you lose fat, but sometimes water retention is associated with obesity. Diuretic herbs for weight loss include alfalfa, buchu, burdock, chickweed, cleavers or lady's bedstraw, corn silk, dandelion, juniper, parsley, uva ursi, and yarrow.

Several of these are easily found in the wild and can be made into teas that support weight loss. These are burdock, chickweed, cleavers, dandelion leaf, and yarrow leaf. Diuretics should be used in moderation, and remember, they only remove water, not fat.

Thermogenics:
Herbs for weight loss which are thermogenic are believed to increase the metabolism rate. Green tea, cardamom, cayenne, cinnamon, ginger, and mustard seed are all thought to have a thermogenic effect on the body.

Celery seed, which is supportive of exercising muscles, also has the thermogenic effect. Astragalus, which is usually recommended for improving the immunity or fighting cancer, is thought to increase the metabolism as well. It is an energizer, as well, and helps the body to absorb nutrients. These factors make astragalus one of the best herbs for weight loss support.

Thyroid and adrenal gland toning:
How many times have you heard someone say, "It's my glands." Maybe you've said it yourself. Sluggish glands can indeed make weight loss difficult.

Hawthorn berry, licorice root, borage seed, and sarsaparilla are all herbs for weight loss that tone the glands. Bladderwrack, a type of kelp, is particularly good for the thyroid gland because it is rich in iodine.

Appetite suppressants:
Many overweight people long for the day when a safe herbal appetite suppressant is revealed to the world. That is, one that truly suppresses the appetite! Herbs for weight loss that are thought to suppress the appetite include fennel, chickweed, celery seed, and hoodia gordonii.

Hoodia is a plant eaten by African tribesmen on hunting trips to keep them from getting hungry. It is showing up in many combination herbs for weight loss formulas. Perhaps it is the herb we've been waiting for.

Though not exactly appetite suppressants, oatstraw and gymnema are sometimes recommended for weight loss. Oatstraw is a nourishing herb that is thought to aid will-power. Gymnema has the ability to destroy your perception of sweet tastes, which makes it useful if you tend to binge on sweets. The effect can last up to an hour or two. It is also helpful to balance blood sugar, which is often a problem for overweight people, and can trigger a desire to overeat.

Laxatives:
Most herb combinations to support weight loss include a laxative. These cause the bowels to empty and can make the abdomen look slimmer, but they are powerful medicines. They should be used cautiously and only when constipation is a problem. If you see yellow dock, buckthorn, cascara sagrada, rhubarb root, or senna in a combination, it is there because of its laxative effect.

Stimulants:
Unfortunately, many weight loss products include large amounts of caffeine and caffeine like stimulants. Ephedra (ma huang), guarana, cola, and betel nut are some of the herbs that act as stimulants. They may give you an energy boost and suppress your appetite, but many herbalists feel that you will be tempted to go on a low energy binge when the stimulation from these herbs wears off.

Use these ingredients very cautiously or avoid them all together. The different ginsengs, however, are energizers that do not leave the person depleted. They are often included in herbs for weight loss to energize the dieter. Siberian ginseng is thought to help the dieter deal with the stress of changing their eating habits. St. Johnswort is also included for stress control, since many people binge eat when they are under stress.

While no herb will take the place of healthy eating and exercise, herbs can be beneficial to those trying to lose weight. Try some of these herbs for weight loss, though, and maybe you'll soon realize your own goal of being slimmer.

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