Herbs for Weight Loss
Herbs for Weight Loss
Although there is no magic pill that will melt excess weight away, here are some herbs that can help you in your quest to reach a healthy weight. Some are mild diuretics and work by reducing water weight, while others have a thermogenic effect and increase metabolism. A few can even reduce your feelings of hunger.
1.Green Coffee Bean
A natural compound in green coffee bean, chlorogenic acid, has been shown to increase fat absorption and stop weight gain. A study of green coffee bean extract showed that those supplementing with green coffee bean not only lost weight, but their body fat percentage declined. In the study, blood sugar was also reduced in individuals taking green coffee bean extract. One study in 2012 found positive results but was later retracted. However other studies since then have shown positive results as well. It seems the jury is out on green coffee bean, but regardless of the effect of chlorogenic acid, caffeine does increase metabolism.
How to Use Green Coffee Bean
Doses vary from 240 to 3000 mg but be careful of higher doses since that is about the same caffeine as five cups of coffee.
2. Dandelion
You may know it as a yellow-flowered weed popping up all over your yard, but did you know the common dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) has detoxifying, weight loss, and other health properties? Dandelion has several bioactive ingredients including taraxasterol (TS), chlorogenic acid, inulin, and sesquiterpene lactones, but chicoric acid is thought to be the most effective weight-loss component. The chicoric acid in dandelion root supports normal blood sugar and breaks down fat and cholesterol in the body.
How to Use Dandelion
Dandelion root or leaf can be found alone or combined with other herbs or supplements in liquid extracts, teas, tablets, and capsules. Drink dandelion root tea between meals to reduce cravings and appetite. You can also throw dandelion leaves on your salad!
3. Cumin
Cumin (Cuminum cyminum), a spice native to the Middle East and India, is an ingredient in most curry and chili powders. A study found that overweight women who consumed three grams of cumin per day had lower blood serum levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol, triglycerides, and higher levels of HDL (good) cholesterol. They also lost weight, body fat, and had skinnier waists at the end of the study.
How to Use Cumin
Cumin comes in both seeds and powder, and either makes a tasty addition to many recipes. Your body may absorb more of the active ingredients from the ground spice. You can also take cumin in capsules.
4. Ginseng
Ginseng and their ginsenosides increase the amount of energy that you burn, increasing your metabolic rate. Ginseng also suppresses appetite, reducing the amount of food you want to eat. Other studies have documented that consuming ginseng leads to more fat in the feces, indicating this herb boost fat burning, too. As a side benefit, it increases blood circulation and is believed to have aphrodisiac properties.
How to Use Ginseng
Try a formulation that includes all three types of ginseng for best results: Korean ginseng, Indian ginseng, and Siberian ginseng (Eleuthero). Taking a supplement which combines these ginseng types with jiaogulan — known as southern ginseng, though it is not in the same plant family as true ginseng — will further boost your metabolism.
5. Cinnamon
Cinnamon and its active ingredient cinnamaldehyde may normalize blood sugar and reduce systemic swelling, which boosts weight loss. Studies also show it may reduce belly fat. A study found mice fed cinnamaldehyde with a high-fat, high-sugar diet saw reduced visceral (belly) fat compared with mice that did not get the cinnamon ingredient.
How to Use Cinnamon
You can safely consume 1/2 to 1 teaspoon (2-4 grams or 2000-4000 mg) of cinnamon powder a day. Cook with it, top your coffee or morning cereal with cinnamon sprinkles or take a capsule or two per day.
6. Ginger
Ginger root is delicious and makes a great addition to homemade tea and certain food dishes. It has properties that stimulate your metabolism and helps you get a flat tummy. Taking ginger increases feelings of fullness and enhances the thermic effect of food — in other words, how much energy it takes the body to metabolize and digest it — which results in a metabolism boost.
How to Use Ginger
Crush one to two inches of peeled ginger root into water, squeezing out the juice. Discard the pulp. Add sweetener if desired or drink plain! You can also cut up ginger root and add it to salads, coconut-ginger rice, or other recipes.
