what is the hoodia plant used for

Overview Hoodia is a cactus-type plant from the Kalahari Desert

in Africa. People use hoodia to curb their appetite so they can lose weight.

Full Answer

What is a Hoodia plant?

Hoodia is a cactus-type plant from the Kalahari desert in Africa. People use hoodia to curb their appetite so they are able to lose weight.

What are the health benefits of Hoodia?

The benefits of hoodia are not confirmed, but evidence seems to point to the plant having some effect on diminishing appetite. All of us dieters can give a cheer for that.

What is the active ingredient in hoodia?

The active ingredient in Hoodia is the appetite-suppressing molecule, P57, or oxypregnane steroidal glycoside P57AS3.3 In scarce clinical studies, P57 has been researched to evaluate its potential as an anti-obesity drug.

What are the adaptations of a Hoodia cactus?

Hoodia cactus is a possible answer. The plant is covered in spines and has thick, fleshy limbs. It is a low-growing plant that will only get 23 inches in height at maturity. The spines and the short stature are necessary adaptations to protect the plant from hot scorching sun and conserve moisture.

What is the hoodia plant used to cure?

Hoodia gordonii is a type of succulent plant traditionally used by indigenous people in southern Africa as an appetite suppressant. Extracts from Hoodia gordonii are used in dietary supplements that claim to reduce appetite and boost weight loss.

What does Hoodia do to your body?

"Hoodia gordonii works within the satiety center of the brain by releasing a chemical compound similar to glucose but up to 100 times stronger," Goldfarb says in his written report. "The hypothalamus receives this signal as an indication that enough food has been consumed and this in turn decreases the appetite."

Does Hoodia interact with any medications?

There is limited drug interaction information available between Hoodia and other medicines. It is recommended that patients talk to their doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines or other herbal/ health supplements.

Does Hoodia have side effects?

There is some evidence that hoodia might cause minor side effects such as headache, dizziness, giddiness, nausea, and unusual skin sensations. Also, there is concern that hoodia might increase blood pressure and heart rate.

Does Hoodia cause liver damage?

Introduction. Hoodia is succulent, cactus-like plant of the Kalahari Desert, extracts of which are marketed as weight loss aids. Hoodia has not been implicated in causing serum enzyme elevations or clinically apparent liver injury.

What works best for appetite suppressant?

Best Appetite SuppressantsPhenQ - Best appetite suppressant overall.Instant Knockout - Best appetite suppressant for men.Leanbean - Top caffeine-free appetite suppressant.Zotrim - Best appetite suppressant for women.Phen24 - Best for stopping hunger cravings and burning fat.More items...•

Which part of the Hoodia plant is used?

Several species of Hoodia are eaten raw. Obviously the spines must first be removed. Hoodia has been known for many years as an appetite suppressant.

How do you take Hoodia powder?

Important informationSafety Information. Always consult your health care provider before taking any supplements. ... Ingredients. Hoodia Extract (Hoodia gordonii) (Fleshy leaf)Directions. As a dietary supplement, take 500 mg (about 1/5 tsp) once daily before meal, or as directed by a physician.Legal Disclaimer.

What works best for appetite suppressant?

Best Appetite SuppressantsPhenQ - Best appetite suppressant overall.Instant Knockout - Best appetite suppressant for men.Leanbean - Top caffeine-free appetite suppressant.Zotrim - Best appetite suppressant for women.Phen24 - Best for stopping hunger cravings and burning fat.More items...•

How do you eat Hoodia?

0:051:38Eating the hoodia plant - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSort of okay here we got here right here right here small the babies Toki's cut off a stalk. ItMoreSort of okay here we got here right here right here small the babies Toki's cut off a stalk. It looked like a small spikey pickle and removed the sharp spines.

How do you take Hoodia powder?

Important informationSafety Information. Always consult your health care provider before taking any supplements. ... Ingredients. Hoodia Extract (Hoodia gordonii) (Fleshy leaf)Directions. As a dietary supplement, take 500 mg (about 1/5 tsp) once daily before meal, or as directed by a physician.Legal Disclaimer.

Can you lose weight by drinking rooibos tea?

Rooibos tea is calorie-free, so it may be a good beverage option for those who are trying to lose weight or maintain a healthy weight. According to the results of a 2014 study , rooibos tea may also benefit weight management by increasing levels of leptin.

What Is The Most Important Information I Should Know About Hoodia?

Patients should not take Hoodia without first talking to their doctor if they 1. have diabetes or are taking a medicine to control blood sugar leve...

Who Should Not Take Hoodia?

Patients should not take Hoodia without first talking to their doctor if they have 1. diabetes, 2. heart disease or high blood pressure, 3. a bleed...

How Should I Take Hoodia?

The use of Hoodia in cultural and traditional settings may differ from concepts accepted by current Western medicine. When considering the use of h...

What Happens If I Miss A Dose?

No information is available regarding a missed dose of Hoodia. Consult with a doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider if additional information...

What Other Drugs Will Affect Hoodia?

There is limited drug interaction information available between Hoodia and other medicines. It is recommended that patients talk to their doctor, p...

What Are The Results of Hoodia Clinical Trials?

Published, peer-reviewed, randomized controlled clinical trials evaluating the efficacy of Hoodia gordonii are lacking.A 15-day, randomized clinica...

Why do people eat hoodias?

Hoodia is a cactus-type plant from the Kalahari Desert in Africa. People use hoodia to curb their appetite so they can lose weight. According to some claims, San bushmen in Africa eat hoodia to fight off hunger during long hunts. Be careful when buying hoodia products.

Is it safe to take hoodia?

Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.

Does Hoodia increase blood pressure?

Also, there is concern that hoodia might increase blood pressure and heart rate. Pregnancy and breast -feeding: Not enough is known about the use of hoodia during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use. Diabetes: Hoodia might lower blood sugar by increasing the production of insulin.

Is Hoodia safe for you?

There isn't enough information to know if hoodia is safe. There is some evidence that hoodia might cause minor side effects such as headache, dizziness, giddiness, nausea, and unusual skin sensations. Also, there is concern that hoodia might increase blood pressure and heart rate. Special Precautions and Warnings.

Does Hoodia extract help with weight loss?

Weight loss. Drinking a raspberry-flavored yogurt drink containing hoodia extract for 15 days does not seem to reduce food intake or increase weight loss in over weight women. More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of hoodia for this use. There isn't enough information to know if hoodia is safe.

Does Hoodia have sibutramine?

According to news reports, some samples of hoodia sold on the Internet do not contain any hoodia at all. You might not get what's listed on the label. Also, a certain hoodia product (P57 Hoodia, Huikng Pharmaceuticals) has been shown to contain sibutramine.

Does Hoodia lower blood sugar?

Diabetes: Hoodia might lower blood sugar by increasing the production of insulin. Watch for signs of low blood sugar ( hypoglycemia) and monitor your blood sugar carefully if you are being treated for diabetes and use hoodia. High blood pressure: Hoodia might increase blood pressure.

How does Hoodia work?

The appetite suppressant effects of Hoodia were first observed in 1937 by a Dutch anthropologist studying the primitive San Bushmen of the Kalahari Desert .

What is the most important information I should know about Hoodia?

Patients should not take Hoodia without first talking to their doctor if they

What are the possible side effects of Hoodia?

Patients should talk to their doctor about any side effects they may develop.

Who should not take Hoodia?

Patients should not take Hoodia without first talking to their doctor if they have

What are the results of Hoodia clinical trials?

Published, peer-reviewed, randomized controlled clinical trials evaluating the efficacy of Hoodia gordonii are lacking.

Where is Hoodia Gordonii native to?

Hoodia gordonii is a cactus-like succulent plant, native to the Kalahari Desert in southern Africa. 1 Due to over harvest and slow growth, Hoodia is now considered an endangered species. Hoodia grows in clumps of upright stems with tan flowers and thorns, and a strong, unpleasant odor.

Is Hoodia a counterfeit product?

Actual amounts of hoodia in advertised products cannot always be confirmed, and products may be counterfeit or contaminated. Because many of these products are promoted for weight loss, but have not been clinically evaluated, the manufacturers are in violation of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.

What is a hoodia?

Hoodia is a cactus-like plant that grows in Africa’s Kalahari Desert. Historically, the San Bushmen are believed to have used hoodia to suppress appetite. Today, hoodia dietary supplements are promoted as appetite suppressants for weight loss.

Is Hoodia safe to take?

Little is known about the safety of hoodia. However, the one completed study in people raises concerns. In that study, participants taking hoodia had more side effects than those taking placebos, including nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and odd skin sensations. Of concern, hoodia significantly affected some clinical and safety parameters, ...

Does Hoodia interact with other supplements?

Whether hoodia interacts with medicines or other supplements is not known.

Is it safe to use hoodia while pregnant?

Of concern, hoodia significantly affected some clinical and safety parameters, such as blood pressure, bilirubin, and electrocardiogram (heart function) measures. Little is known about whether it’s safe to use hoodia during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

What is Hoodia?

Hoodia has been on the menu for thousands of years in South Africa and may soon be coming to a store near you. What is hoodia? There are over 20 species in the genus with Hoodia gordonii plant just one of the many amazing specimens.

What does a hoodia flower smell like?

The flower is quite interesting looking but keep your distance if you get to see a bloom. The flower smells like something gone bad, but the odor attracts flies which pollinate the plant.

How tall is a hoodia?

It is a low-growing plant that will only get 23 inches (58.4 cm.) in height at maturity. The spines and the short stature are necessary adaptations to protect the plant from hot scorching sun and conserve moisture. The spines also prevent many animals from eating the flesh. Hoodia produces a flat, saucer-shaped flower that is flesh colored.

How often should I water a Kalahari plant?

Too much water can kill the plant but too little will have the same effect. The average watering rules are once every third month all year around. That is only 4 watering cycles per annum.

What did scientists discover about succulents?

Research done in the 1960’s on indigenous plants found that animals who ate the succulent lost weight. This didn’t immediately turn into a breakthrough discovery. It took several more decades before the pharmacological company, Phytopharm, took notice of the research and began to conduct their own. The result is a huge farming operation in South Africa with goals toward marketing the product in the future.

Is Hoodia Gordonii a fat burner?

Not only is the plant fascinating in its adaptations and appearance, but it has some potential as a fat-busting supplement.

Is Hoodia good for appetite?

Possible Benefits of Hoodia. The Federal Drug Administration has not approved the safety of using hoodia as an appetite suppressant but that hasn’t stopped several companies from manufacturing and distributing the supplement. The thick stems are edible, once you remove the spines, and appear to diminish appetite.

What is the molecule in Hoodia called?

In a report published in the Sept. 10, 2004, issue of Brain Research, MacLean reported that a molecule in hoodia, called P57, likely has an effect on the brain 's hypothalamus, which helps regulate appetite. His study was done in animals. Continued.

How much does Hoodia gordonii cost?

A 30-day supply often costs $35 and up.

What plant did the South African bush people eat?

For eons, the bush people have nibbled a native succulent plant called Hoodia gordonii -- and stayed slim.

Does Hoodia cause insomnia?

Most of the participants reported their caloric intake dropped to less than half within a few days after starting hoodia, and they didn't report side effects such as jitteriness or insomnia, Goldfarb says.

Does Hoodia work with Unilever?

Continued. Phytopharm, a U.K.-based company developing hoodia weight loss products with Unilever, the giant food and consumer products company, cites a 2001 study on its web site that it did, in which the plant extract caused a reduction in average daily calorie intake and in body fat within two weeks.

Does Hoodia have evidence?

He cites one laboratory study but says the evidence is not conclusive .

Is a hoodia a cactus?

Hoodia -- a succulent, not a ca ctus, as it's often erroneously described -- has lots of hoopla, but little science, at least little published science, as even advocates admit. Experts familiar with it say hoodia tricks your brain into thinking you're full.

What are Hoodia supplements?

These supplements are the dietary supplements that mainly contain hoodia, along with other ingredients, and are used for losing weight. These supplements, because of their hoodia content, give the feeling of a full stomach and thus result in a loss of appetite. This, in turn, results in a lower intake of food, lower energy intake, utilization of the fat stored in the body and the subsequent loss of weight. Unlike many other weight-loss diet supplements, it is safer (studies are still going on to explore possibilities of threats to the liver) in the sense that it does not contain artificial stimulants.

What is Hoodia tea?

Hoodia tea is taking the world by storm these days as one of the most dependable and favored hoodia-based products. It really works fast and no adverse effects have been seen thus far. It is a shredded and dried form of the Hoodia plant that can be consumed like tea by brewing it in warm water. Most of the hoodia teas available in the market are seldom pure since they come as blends of hoodia with green tea and other herbs.

What is Hoodia Gordonii?

It is a succulent, fleshy cactus- like plant of the Asclepiad family, which is an original inhabitant of the Kalahari desert in Africa. Among its many varieties, Hoodia Gordonii is the most popular because its extracts suppress hunger and effectively help reduce weight and fat percentage. It is available on the market in many forms, including pills, capsules, juice, complexes, chews, diet supplements, and even lollipops.

How does Hoodia help you lose weight?

They send the brain chemical signals that the stomach is full and that the body does not want any more food. When absorbed in the body, the body thinks that it has consumed some very high-energy giving food (which is not so) and gives the brain a chemical message with that information. The brain, in turn, immediately rings the body, giving instructions to stop eating. This kills the appetite and the body is kept unfed so it uses its own stores of fat to meet its energy requirements. What is the result? No energy consumed under the facade of high-energy food. What about the body’s fat store? It is burnt, thereby helping you lose weight. [1]

Why is Hoodia in high demand?

Hoodia is in high demand across the world because it is really helping people out with losing weight. Because of this, Delmar Laboratories, Nutralab Inc. came up with a product range named Hoodia Gordonii Dex, more precisely, Hoodia Dex-L10.

Why are hoodia pops so popular?

These hoodia pops have become very popular with celebrities these days, not merely because they help lose weight, but rather due to the fact that they are handy, state of the art, and new.

Does Hoodia have any side effects?

But let me tell you, it does have side effects. The most common is a sticky, dry mouth, followed by some suspected damage to the liver in the long run and lastly, the risk of seriously depriving the body of energy. These side effects are due to some of its constituents, which are difficult to remove while processing. Still, since hoodia products are herbal and most of its preparations do not contain harmful synthetic chemicals or stimulants, they are safer than most of the weight loss drugs available in the market that put stress on the heart and metabolism.

What is the chemical in Hoodia?

A chemical in hoodia called P57 is thought to decrease feelings of hunger. But it is not known if hoodia has this effect when used in people.

Why do people eat hoodias?

Hoodia is a cactus-type plant from the Kalahari desert in Africa. People use hoodia to curb their appetite so they are able to lose weight. According to some claims, San bushmen in Africa eat hoodia to fight off hunger during long hunts. Be careful when buying hoodia products.

Can you breastfeed with hoodia?

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Not enough is known about the use of hoodia during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

What is hoodia patented for?

The patent was later sold to Unilever, which marketed hoodia products as diet supplements. In 2003, the South African San Council entered into a benefit sharing agreement with CSIR in which they would receive from 6 to 8% of the revenue from the sale of Ho. gordonii products, money which would be deposited in a trust for all San peoples across Southern Africa.

What is the genus of hoodia?

Apocynaceae. Subfamily: Asclepiadoideae. Tribe: Ceropegieae. Genus: Hoodia. Sweet ex Decne. Hoodia ( / ˈhʊdiə /; known locally as "ghaap" or "bobbejaanghaap") is a genus of flowering plants in the family Apocynaceae, under the subfamily Asclepiadoideae, native to Southern Africa.

What is Hoodia gordonii?

One species of Hoodia in particular, Hoodia gordonii, has achieved a degree of fame and controversy, after being investigated for use as a possible appetite suppressant.

How big do hoodias get?

They have a branching, shrub-like form, and the largest species ( Hoodia parviflora) can grow to the size of a tree — over 2 m (6 ft 7 in) in height.

Why do hoodias smell?

Those of larger-flowered species (such as Hoodia gordonii) are often a papery pink-tan colour, plate-shaped, with an unpleasant smell to attract their fly pollinators. The smaller, darker flowers of some species have a far stronger and more unpleasant smell than the larger flowers.

Where is Hoodia found?

Distribution. The genus Hoodia is restricted to the arid regions in the western part of southern Africa, ranging from western South Africa to central Namibia and as far north as southern Angola. It is especially common in the Namib desert and in the Orange River valley. Typical habitat is rocky slopes and open stone plains.

Is Hoodia a monophyletic species?

Phylogenetic studies have shown the genus Hoodia to be monophyletic, and most closely related to the stapeliad genus Lavrania.