Hoodia

Hoodia is a herbal supplement sometimes used for the purpose of losing weight.

What is the source of Hoodia herbal suppment?

Hoodia is a blossoming, cactus-like plant native to the Kalahari Desert in south Africa. Its harvest is protected by conservation regulations.

Historical context of use of Hoodia
Historically, Kalahari Bushmen ate hoodia stems to reduce their hunger and desire throughout long hunts.

Hoodia for appetite suppression
Today, the major folk use of hoodia is as an appetite suppressant for losing weight although the evidence is lacking that it actually works!

How is Hoodia dispensed?
Dried extracts of hoodia arises and roots are used to make capsules, powders, and chewable tablets. Hoodia can furthermore be used to make liquid extracts and teas. Hoodia goods often comprise other herbs or minerals, such as green tea or chromium picolinate.

Does Hoodia work for appetite suppression and weight loss?
There is no dependable technical or scientific studies that support hoodia’s use for appetite suppression. No studies of the herb Hoodia in humans has been published in peer reviewed literature.

Is Hoodia safe to take?

 * Hoodia’s safety is unidentified.


 * Its promise risks, edge consequences, and interactions with medicines and other supplements have not been investigated.


 * The value of hoodia supplements varies broadly.

Fake Hoodia alert
There are reports to suggest that some goods traded as hoodia do not actually have any hoodia.

Drug interactions with Hoodia

 * Interactions to watch for throughout Anesthesia etc. for Hoodia
 * Changes in sugar levels in the blood; possible arrhythmia

Traditional tribes using Hoodia
Hoodia gordonii is used by the San people (Bushmen) of the Namib desert as an appetite suppressant as part of their indigenous knowledge about survival in the harsh desert environment.

Hoodia protected plant
Many Hoodia species are protected plants, typical of the Namib Desert, ranging from Central Namibia to southern Angola, with common names like "Bushman's Hat" and "Queen of the Namib".

Species of Hoodia
Several species are grown as garden plants, and one species, Hoodia gordonii, is being investigated for use as an appetite suppressant.

Hoodia is currently listed in Appendix II to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

Species list of Hoodia

 * Hoodia alstonii
 * Hoodia cactus
 * Hoodia currorii (syn. H. lugardii, H. macrantha)
 * Hoodia mossamedensis
 * Hoodia officinalis (syn. H. delaetiana)
 * Hoodia parviflora
 * Hoodia pedicellata
 * Hoodia dregei
 * Hoodia flava
 * Hoodia gordonii (syn. Stapelia gordonii, H. barklyi, H. burkei, H. longispina)
 * Hoodia juttae
 * Hoodia pilifera (syn. H. annulata, H. grandis, H. pillansii)
 * Hoodia ruschii (Queen of the Namib)
 * Hoodia triebneri (syn. H. foetida)

Also see Herbal supplements