Hoodia

Species name: Hoodia Gordonii.

Also known as: Hoodia “cactus”, Ghaap, South African “desert cactus”.

The plump tender stems are the part of the hoodia plant that is used to make herbal remedies.

What is Hoodia: Hoodia is found in very dry areas of Southern Africa. It is a small Asclepiad genus that only consists of about twenty species.

It can be very hard to find by the untrained eye. Although they look very similar to a cactus they belong to a completely different family.

They are part of the Apocynaceae family and have no connections to the cactus family at all.

Hoodia has very large flowers that are a light pale to purple color. These flowers are shaped like a saucer and produce a horrible smell. It has stems that angle in different directions and bunch together.

A full grown hoodia can grow up to six feet high and can endure for a very long time.

The South African natives would cut the stem and remove the thorns then eat it right away to keep them from getting hungry or thirsty. This was especially used when they were on the long hunting trips. This made it possible for them to follow the tradition of bringing all the food they catch back to the village without eating any of it.

Although hoodia is a native of South Africa, there are attempts being made to cultivate it in the United States, Mexico and China. However, they have had little success so far.

Home Remedies using Hoodia:

Benefits of Hoodia:

Hoodia is best known for its ability to suppress your appetite. In fact, it is considered the most effective product for weight loss available.

It can actually make you feel like you are completely full when you have not had anything to eat. It reduces thirst, which can be very useful at times.

Hoodia is also a good tonic herb used for energy loss, mineral deficiency and nutrient deficiency because it is rich in minerals.

Uses of Hoodia:

• Appetite suppressant
• Thirst suppressant
• Tonic herb
• Tea
• Extracts
• Capsule
• Powder

Side Effects of hoodia:

There are no known side effects caused by hoodia at this time however, more research is needed to confirm that this herb is completely safe.

Due to the lack of research it is recommended that nursing or pregnant women should not use hoodia. It is also suggested that you do not combine it with other medications.