Hoodia: The Weight Loss Plant

Hoodia or Hoodia Gordonii is a leafless spiny succulent plant with fleshy finger like stems. Hoodia is a genus in the plant family Apocynaceae, under the subfamily Asclepiadoideae. This plant has some rows of thorns present along its stem, bearing flesh colored flowers. Hoodia Gordonii is a protected plant found in plains and rocky areas; it grows naturally in the harsh desert conditions of the Kalahari Desert of Southern Africa.

For many generations the tribes have used the Hoodia Gordonii plant to suppress appetite and thirst during long hunting trips. Although there are over 20 species in the Hoodia family, only the Hoodia Gordonii plant contains a natural appetite suppressant. Hoodia is also known as "Bushman’s Hat" & "Queen of the Namib". Several species of Hoodia can also be grown as garden plants.

Scientific Researches on Hoodia:
CSIR - Council for Scientific and Industrial Research of South Africa isolated the ingredient in Hoodia in 1977, which is now known as P57, responsible for this appetite-suppressant effect and patented it. The CSIR then granted United Kingdom-based Phytopharm a license, and they collaborated with the pharmaceutical company Pfizer to isolate active ingredients from the extracts and look into synthesizing them for use as an appetite suppressant.

Hoodia on Media:
The coverage through media and aggressive marketing of Hoodia has created such a demand for Hoodia plants that a protected status was imposed in several countries like Namibia. There are many products in the market claiming to contai
Hoodia but all these products do not actually contain the active ingredient alleged to suppress appetite, only the South African product contains all the claimed properties in them.

Hoodia products:
Of all the diet pills and products, it is found that taking Hoodia to get the correct results is a task that requires the least amount of effort — if the right hoodia diet pills, liquids or gels are used. On the other hand, most weight loss aids and diet pills require greater conscious, more intentional efforts. In other words, calorie charts, scales, diet sheets and good intentions alone are often not adequate tools to lower and maintain body weight over a lifetime. If weight control is to be successful, it must occur over long periods of time and the body must adjust to the new diet requirements and calorie intake. Controlling appetite and metabolism is based on the proper functioning of various systems within the body. These systems rely on ancient principles and biological design and do not work well for long-term weight loss with fad diets. But the new hoodia gordonii products available in the market suppress appetite and increase energy without having any ill side effects.