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Herbs That Help Shed Pounds
There are herbs you can add to your diet
as
supplements, teas, and foods that will help
your
weight loss program go smoothly. Besides, there are
several herbs which contain sympathomimetics and xanthine compounds
synergistically increase the body's
basal metabolic rate to increase the burning of calories
and
fat, act as mild stimulants, and suppress the
appetite.
The action of certain
herbs
"trick" the brain into thinking the stomach is full
Herbs that cause weight loss can be classified as:
-
Stimulants: encourage the body to burn more calories.
-
Diuretics: cause the body to excrete water through excess urine.
-
Cathartics: cause evacuation of the bowels, reduce calorie consumption by
impeding full digestion.
-
Appetite suppressants: reduce hunger by expanding in the stomach, altering
mood, or satisfying taste.
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 Aids
digestion and acts as a diuretic. The active components of alfalfa include its saponin
content. Studies indicate that saponins help make fats more soluable, and they
may play a role in maintaining the health of blood vessels. The leaves also
contain flavones, isoflavones and sterols.
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Bladder Wrack Kelp
 Kelp
is a type of seaweed and it can be bought in pills, tinctures, and dried. It is
delicious and can be used a salt substitute, or eaten as a snack. One of the
ways it works is by strengthening the
thyroid, which can
increase the metabolism. The other way it works is by giving your body easily
absorbed nutrients which feed the body on a cellular level which reduces
cravings. It is a bulk laxative.
 In
several studies it has shown its ability to break down fat molecules. It is
usually recommend in combination with burdock root which helps balance
oils and fats in the body; the chickweed breaks down the fat and the burdock
helps transport it out of the body. As a tea, it is an effective way to curb
cravings, assist digestion, and help lose weight.
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Improves fat metabolism and acts as a diuretic. Active ingredients include
inulin, polyphenolic acids, and non-hydroxy acids. It is an excellent herbal
blood purifier that detoxifies the blood and
lymphatic system. It is high in
iron, and can help
build blood during times of low hemoglobin. Burdock is also considered a mild
laxative. Burdock aids in the elimination of uric acid.
 Burdock
root can also help to reduce cravings and hunger and thus assist in weight
loss. The best way to use burdock root for weight loss is as a standard
decoction: Bring water to a boil, pour in about an ounce of dried burdock root,
gently simmer for ten to twenty minutes, and allow to cool. Drink between meals.
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A thermogenic herb. One of Cardamom's main uses is as a digestive aid due to its
soothing and antispasmodic properties. Studies have shown it may help with any
digestive condition.
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 Improves
circulation and digestion. Has
thermogenic
effects. In one study it was shown that cayenne increased core body temperature,
which in turn increased the metabolism and caused the participants to lose more
weight then the group not taking cayenne.
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 Creates
a thermogenic burn. It reduces cholesterol levels – in particular, lowering
bad cholesterol while
leaving good cholesterol the same. It is cinnamon’s effect on blood sugar that
makes it a potential help in the war against obesity,
insulin resistance,
sometimes known as "prediabetes," and the "Metabolic Syndrome." Cinnamon can be
used in its powdered or stick form, adding it to drinks and foods, or as a
supplement.
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Aids fat metabolism by affecting the liver. By acting to remove poisons from the
body, it acts as a tonic and stimulant as well.
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 Nettles
is high in nutrition (rich in
vitamins C and
E and minerals
such as
calcium,
magnesium,
iron, silica, and
potassium,
which are important for healing broken bones, muscle strains, and tendon
injuries.) and helps clears toxins but it also has a effect on weight loss that
isn’t clearly understood, but it is believed that it helps by feeding the cells
on a deeper level which reduces cravings. Nettle tea is used to curb appetite
and cravings and assist in weight loss.
A diuretic that reduces hunger and improves energy. Fennel (Foeniculum
vulgare) seed and nettle (Urtica dioica) leaves make a useful tea for weight
loss. Use one teaspoon fennel seed and two teaspoons nettle leaves to three cups
water. Do not exceed the recommended dose. Fennel is potentially toxic.
Prepare fennel seed tea: 4 tsp. of seeds in 2 pints of boiling water and
simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat, keep the container covered, and
allow to stand for 15 minutes, then strain. 1 cup 3 or 4 times per day,
cool or heated.
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 Gymnema
Sylvestre
It decreases
sugar cravings by acting on the pancreas enabling
it to maintain a steady blood sugar, which decreases cravings and hypoglycemia
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 A
bulk laxative that helps curb hunger. Loaded with vitamins and phytonutrients,
it is an excellent source of protein and fiber, flaxseed is nature's gift to
health! Besides
stabilizing the body sugar levels, flax expands five times in bulk when
ingested.
Flax taken half an hour before meals will help you eat less, so you will
lose weight while simultaneously strengthening your immune system.
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Garcinia Cantbogia
 Aids
fat metabolism and reduces hunger. This herb is currently used in the United
States as a component of weight loss formulas. Various species of South Asian
plants of the genus Garcinia (particularly Garcinia cantbogia) have high
contents of hydroxycitrate (HCA), which is the active ingredient in this and
many other currently marketed weight loss products. However, it has not yet been
shown, in controlled studies published in the scientific literature, to be
effective in weight loss in humans.
Preliminary research suggests that garcinia inhibits the accumulation of lipid
droplets in fat cells and thereby reduces lipid levels and decreases lipid
accumulation in the liver. The hydroxycitrate acid (HCA) found in garcinia is
also theorized to improve exercise endurance by increasing lipid oxidation and
decreasing carbohydrate utilization . A dosage of, an extract containing 50%
hydroxycitric acid, 1000 mg three times daily has been used for weight loss.
Green Tea
 Aids
fat metabolism and increases energy. Clinical studies conducted by Dr. Abdul
Dulloo, of the University of Geneva in Switzerlands brought the conclusion that
green tea weight loss programs raises metabolic rates and speeds up fat
oxidation.
As part of their study, the investigators measured the 24-hour energy
expenditure of 10 healthy men receiving three doses of caffeine (50 mg), green
tea extract (containing 50 mg caffeine and 90 mg epigallocatechin), or a 'dummy'
placebo per day. The study authors report that, compared with placebo, subject
taking green tea extract had a "significant increase" (+4%) in daily energy
expenditure.
Green tea extract may also help dieters shed fat. This effect is due to increase
in energy expenditure.
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Guar Gum
 Helps
to reduce hunger and has a
laxative effect. As a
weight loss product, it have been used to promote normal gastrointestinal
motility and maintain fecal bulk. It has been noted to decrease appetite by
providing a "feeling of fullness."
Precautions: Guar gum and guar gum preparations have been implicated in
esophageal obstruction. The water-retaining capacity of the gum permits it to
swell to 10 to 20 fold and has led to gastrointestinal obstructions. Guar gum
has also been known to cause significant fluctuations in blood glucose (sugar)
levels, thus diabetic patients should not use these preparations.
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 Reduces
blood fat and improves circulation. Hawthorn berry helps with stagnant,
undigested food accumulated in the stomach, they also stimulate the adrenal
glands and improve thyroid function.
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Kola Nut
 A
stimulant that decreases appetite and aids in the metabolism of fat. Kola nuts
are stimulants like caffeine. Kola nut is used extensively by natives of western
and central Africa, and also in Brazil.
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 A
diuretic and nutritional aid.
Juicing recipes with carrot or
parsley juice help curb the appetite & reduce hunger cravings. Besides, Carrot
or parsley juices can also help maintain proper blood sugar levels, reducing the
blood sugar swing that you can experience when on a weight loss program It is
one of the highest sources of life-giving chlorophyll which acts like iron to
oxidize the blood. Look for healthy, dark green leaves.
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Phyllium
Helps
to curb hunger and allows the elimination of wastes from the body. Herbalists
say that the weight-loss effect of plantain and psyllium is related to the
spongy fiber (mucilage) in the seeds and to specific chemicals (polyphenols) in
the leaves.
In one Italian study, scientists gave women who were seriously
obese (over 60 percent over their recommended weight)
three grams of plantain in water 30 minutes before meals. The plantain group
lost more weight than a similar group of women who simply cut back on their
diet. Recommended Dose: Take a teaspoonful of psyllium mixed well with a glass
of juice or water. Take it before each meal.
 Senna
An all natural laxative. It stimulates the colon, leading to the increased
metabolism of fat.
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Red pepper (
Capsicum),
Hit Mustard, and other hot spices
 Scientists
have found that people who took hot spicy foods (adding a teaspoon of red-pepper
sauce and a teaspoon of mustard to meal) raised their metabolic rates by as much
as 25 percent. The hot spice also stimulates thirst, so you drink more liquids
that also helps in gaining less weight.
Citrus Aurantium
 It
is a commonly used Chinese herb to improve stomach and gastrointestinal
function. Recent research has shown that it may be as effective as ephedra in
increasing thermogenesis in the body without the side effects that often result
with the use of ephedra. Thermogenesis is the process through which the body
converts stored fat into energy and body heat. Increasing the thermogenic
process in the body may increase weight loss. Citrus aurantium, or Zhi Shi,
contains a combination of adrenergic amines. These are synephrine,
N-methyltyramine, hordenine, octopamine, and tyramine. All of these substances
have been shown to have powerful thermogenic properties. When this herb is used
along with moderate
exercise and a
healthy diet, it may assist with
weight loss.
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Instead of just using dried, capsulated, herbal products, start including
*whole* herbs in your life. Eat them everyday, as fresh as possible, (e.g. take
walks, check out the vegetable stand, or tend a garden), everyday. Instead of
taking a capsule, eat a handful of fresh parsley. Experiment with tasting each
of your favorite culinary herbs made up as "diet" tea. Collect dandelion leaves,
plantain, mints, lettuce, whatever, and whip it up in your blender as special
diet "green drink." Almost no calories in most herbs.
Eating and living with herbs can bring you a lifestyle which may be more
conducive to weight loss.
Herbs can be used to assist in the weight loss process, while they may not be
enough on their own, when used in combination with dietary changes and mild
exercise can make most weight loss attempts very successful.
NOTE: Before attempting to loose weight, be sure you know why you have a
problem, and then choose the herbs according to your personal condition and
needs
Dated 27 January 2012
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