About Hoodia
Hoodiais a genus of succulent plants in the family Apocynaceae. It is found in summer rainfall areas in Angola, Botswana, and Namibia and African Kalahari desert as well as winter rainfall areas in Namibia. The plant grows up to 1 m high and has flowers with strong smell. Hoodia gordonii is very rare and is native of southern Africa’s republic of Namibia, on the edge of the Kalahari Desert. This plant takes many years to mature. It is also known as "Bushman's Hat" and "Queen of the Namib” also Bushmen call this plant as Xhoba.
Hoodias are also grown as garden plants. There are approximately 20 species in the genus. The common Species and varieties are
- Hoodia gordonii
- Hoodia ruschii (Queen of the Namib)
- Hoodia macrantha
- Hoodia officinale
Bushmen have used hoodia for several centuries, to reduce hunger during long trips in the desert. They used to eat the raw hoodia which reduces hunger and thirst. Only one molecule (p57) in the plant has the appetite reducing effect. This molecule has been named P57. P57 is the active ingredient in hoodia gordonii that was isolated. It was licensed to a pharmaceutical company named Phytopharm. Only the core of the plant has the active ingredient.
Dried, Powdered Hoodia can be purchased it is marketed by various companies and individuals. The weight reducing ability of hoodia gordonii is only found in large fresh pieces of the plant.
How does it work?
Dieting by starving is not a good idea, When the body is starved, the metabolism slows, and calories is stored as fat. Even if you have eaten a less, it fools your brain by making you think you are full and makes you to eat less.
Hoodia is considered an appetite suppressant; there are no risks to your organs, nervous and circulatory systems. Hoodia is safe as purified water. Lose weight without feeling hungry. One decent study on hoodia, and it was conducted on number of peoples, all of whom were obese. Hoodia is long known by the indigenous populations of Southern Africa for its medicinal properties. Hoodia was frequently used for treating indigestion and small infections.
Hoodia Extracts marketed by nutritional supplement manufacturers’ claim that it can lower blood pressure and reduce the appetite. Because of the increased demand for Hoodia, the plants have been given a protected status in many countries. Hoodia Extracts are generally marketed as “weight-loss pills”.
- Hoodia is a bitter-tasting cactus-like plant.
- You will not have any desire to eat or drink.
- It tastes a little like cucumber.
- No digestive problems
- No racing heart beat.
How long does hoodia takes to work?
Hoodia can take up to 1 to 2 weeks to work in; however, many people notice the suppressing effects within 1/2 hour of taking a dose of hoodia.
How to take hoodia
- An hour before taking meals
- Take a glass of water. Ensure adequate water intake, because hoodia will also shut off your thirst mechanism.
People spend more money for slimming products and none of them seem to be working very well. Hoodia is very different from diet stimulants like Ephedra and Phenfen that are now banned because of dangerous side effects.
The South African government has chosen to protect hoodia gordonii as an endangered plant. Hoodia gordonii cannot be exported as a weight loss product. Limited amounts of the plant can be exported, but only as herbarium collections. The current supply of genuine hoodia gordonii is very limited.
