By Dr. Edward F. Group III, DC, ND, DACBN

Scientists have yet to discover a single magic “herb” for weight loss. Nor is there a pill or product that will instantly melt the pounds away, but there are products on the market that, if incorporated into a healthy diet and exercise program, can help you lose weight.

Herbal weight loss techniques have been practiced for thousands of years. Because of their unique nutritional and medicinal properties certain herbs can promote weight loss and help you to reach your fitness goals more easily. Read on to learn more about the weight loss herbs that can help you.

Types of Herbal Weight Loss Supplements

Different herbs and supplements are utilized to accomplish different weight loss goals. In general, weight loss herbs are prescribed as stimulants, diuretics, cathartics, or appetite suppressants.

• Stimulants: Weight loss Herbals that act as stimulants will speed up the metabolism and encourage the body to burn more calories.
• Diuretics: Diuretics are used to control “water weight”. This herbal weight loss method is most useful during those points in a woman’s cycle when they retain water or feel bloated. This causes the body to excrete water through excess urination. Herbal weight loss diuretics are usually not used for long-term weight loss and management.
• Cathartics: Cathartics, like herbal laxatives, cause evacuation of the bowels. However, these weight loss herbals aid in weight control by reducing calorie absorbtion by impeding full digestion.
• Appetite Suppressants: Herbal weight loss products that act as appetite suppressants can reduce hunger and cravings by expanding in the stomach, altering mood, or otherwise satisfying taste.

Fresh Herbs vs. Herbal Weight Loss Supplements

There are a variety of herbal weight loss products on the market that contain everything from hoodia (a sub-Saharan cactus) to common parsley in capsulated form. Many people wonder why they would need to take herbs in supplement form…why not just eat the whole food? Here’s a look at the pros and cons of both fresh herbal and their supplement counterparts.

Fresh Herbal Weight Loss: Pros

1. Cost: Depending upon the herb, fresh herbs are likely to be much cheaper than herbs that have been processed and packaged for shipping.
2. Nutrition: Medicinal and nutritional herbs can be complicated plant structures that involve a mix of vitamins, nutrients, and weight loss elements. When an herb is extracted into supplement form, many companies process only a portion of the plant that contains the “active ingredient.” Most herbalists agree that consuming an herb in its whole form will provide you with the most complete form of nutrition.

Fresh Herbal Weight Loss: Cons

1. Availability: Unless you are able to span the globe, or pay handsomely for someone else to do it, it’s unlikely that you will have access to a fresh source of all of the beneficial herbal weight loss ingredients available.
2. Perishability: Fresh herbs can be dried for preservation, but that may defeat the purpose of purchasing a fresh herb. Most herbs will remain fresh in a vase filled with water for about a week or so.

Herbal Weight Loss Supplements: Pros

1. Accessibility: Check out your local natural food store and you can find herbs from all over the world, right at your fingertips.
2. Convenience: Taking an herbal weight loss supplement is a quick and easy way to ensure that you enjoy the benefits of that herb on a daily basis. Fresh herbs require preparation that may not be possible every day. I personally recommend the product Slimirex™.

Purchasing an Herbal Weight Loss Supplement

The key to purchasing an herbal weight loss supplement is investigating the integrity of the company that has produced the product. When you buy a commercial herb for weight loss purposes, it’s important to know what you’re buying. And the only way to be sure that you’re getting exactly what you think you’re getting is to purchase the product from a company you can trust. Many companies spend more money on packaging their product than on the processing of the herbs themselves. Some herbal supplements also contain stimulants such as caffeine (or herbs that contain caffeine), and other ingredients, such as ephedra, which are known to be dangerous. Read the ingredients label, and do a little research about the company before you purchase an herbal weight loss supplement. Global Healing Center is a trustworthy online health resource. Visit them at www.ghchealth.com.

Herbal Weight Loss – Beware: Dangerous Herbs

Although many herbs are wonderfully nutritious for your health, there are some herbs that can cause serious side effects and even death. The Food and Drug Administration has issued warnings against the following weight loss herbs.

• Herbal Weight Loss Laxatives – These herbs can cause cramping, diarrhea, and if overused, they could create a digestive dependence in which you cannot evacuate your bowels without them. Use the product Oxy-Powder^® as a safe intestinal cleanser.
• Ephedra – Also known as “ma huang,” this herb can raise the blood pressure and increase heart rate to dangerous levels. Over 800 side effects have been linked to the use of ephedra, including heart palpitations, seizures, stroke, chest pain, and heart attack. I think this herb can be used beneficially, but only when used at the proper dose.
• Herbal fen-phen – Herbal fen-fen is a dangerous diet drug that has been linked to severe side effects ranging from heartbeat irregularities to death from heart attack and stroke.

About the Author

Dr. Edward F. Group III continues to develop, sell and evaluate exclusively high-end natural and organic healthcare products to support a wide range of health conditions. The products we promote are free of toxic tag-along herbicides, insecticides, pesticides, heavy metals, fumigants, irradiation, liver-toxic glues, binders, or gelatin capsules with animal-source risk and toxic preservatives. For more information, please visit the Web’s best resource on weight loss.