Types of Herbs

Types of Herbs Used in Weight Loss:

     Here is a review of some herbal weight loss pills and diet supplements that claim to help people lose weight:

- Citrus Aurantium: This herb is a commonly used Chinese herb. It is often used to improve stomach and gastrointestinal function. It has also been used to stimulate liver function and to alleviate circulatory problems. It has a natural diuretic property. 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. It does not stimulate the central nervous system and therefore does not cause the nervousness and increase in heart rate that ephedra causes. When this herb is used along with moderate exercise and a healthy diet, it may assist with weight loss.

- Kelp: Kelp contains iodine which may help improve thyroid function and therefore stimulate metabolism.

- Soy lecithin: Soy lecithin helps to dissolve fats and take them out of the body.

- The citrus essential oils: Oils such as lemon and grapefruit are useful for weight loss regimens. They also have an uplifting and tension reducing quality which helps to prevent emotional eating.

- HCA: HCA is short for hydroxycitric acid, and is an herbal extract found in at least 14 commercial weight-loss pills. The chemical, which is distilled from plants native to India, suppresses the appetite and slows down the conversion of carbohydrates into fat. The best supplements contain Appetrim hydroxycitrate, which is recognized as the purest and most potent available.

- Pyruvate: This natural compound found in all plants and animals has gained wide popularity as a weight-loss aid. However, in one of the few human studies of pyruvate, researchers at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Centre found that overweight patients who took herbal weight loss supplements containing pyruvate only lost an extra 1.3 pounds over six weeks compared with patients who took a placebo. Side effects of herbal weight loss pills containing pyruvate include: intestinal distress, bloating, and diarrhoea.

- PPA: PPA is short for phenylpropanolamine. PPA is the active ingredient in Dexatrim, Acutrim, and several over-the-counter herbal weight loss pills. PPA was the most popular weight loss drug in the country. PPA has been shown in studies to help increase weight loss but not significantly. In studies, PPA, along with diet and exercise increased weight loss by only an average of three pounds, compared to diet and exercise alone. Taking more than the recommended dosage has been linked to elevated blood pressure, stroke and heart palpitations. The FDA has now banned the use of PPA in over the counter remedies due to many potential documented serious side effects.

- Caffeine and ephedrine together: Caffeine, found in many beverages, can cause mild agitation, insomnia, tremor, and dieresis. However, ephedrine, which is often combined with caffeine in products, generates a larger concern. Sudden death (myocardial infarction), hemorrhage and ischemic stroke, acute hepatitis, nephrolithiasis, dizziness, tachycardia, headache, tremor, nervousness, and insomnia have all been reported with this combination. The most common adverse events identified in a recent report included: hypertension (17 reports), palpitations, tachycardia or both (13), stroke (10), and seizures (7). Ten events resulted in death and 13 events produced permanent disability. Fifty-nine percent of the users were taking the supplements in order to lose weight.

- Ephedra (Ma Huang): The active ingredient in ephedra (also known as ma huang) is ephedrine, which is structurally similar to amphetamines. Ephedra has been linked to hundreds of incidents, including high blood pressure, abnormalities in heart rhythms, seizures, heart attacks, and even death. Some states have laws that ban the sale of ephedra because of its demonstrated serious side effects. Ephedra is in products such as metabolife and "herbal phen-fen."

- Yohimbine: Occasionally, an appetite suppressants will contain yohimbine, an indirect adrenergic agonist. Anxiety, elevated blood pressure, queasiness, sleeplessness, tachycardia, tremor, and vomiting are potential side effects related to this agent.

- St. John's Wort: St. John's Wort has been included in many diet drugs. St. Johns Wart is an example of an herbal preparation that actually has been researched extensively overseas in independent studies and shows promise. Studies show that St. John's Wort can raise serotonin levels and treat mild depression. But, if you don't suffer from depression-related weight gain, significant food cravings, or an alteration in serotonin levels, St. John's Wort might not help in your weight loss quest. Thus far, there have been few reports of weight loss associated with St. John's Wort. With respect to its side effects - photosensitivity, gastrointestinal irritation, allergic
reactions, tiredness, and restlessness have been reported, along with drug interactions.

- Chromium picolinate: Despite the hype and claims, chromium picolinate is not a miracle pill that helps you lose weight, burn fat, and build muscle. It is a prime example of a supplement manufacturer making false theories from poorly done research and turning it into a weight loss panacea. Some flawed studies done in the 1990's suggested that chromium might help build muscle mass. From this research, the manufacturers extended the list of claims for what this supplement could do from metabolic rate increases to weight loss and beyond. This old research has since been shown to be inaccurate by better, more extensive studies. In order to put an end to the false claims touted by chromium picolinate manufacturers, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) stepped in. The FTC ruled that companies that distribute chromium picolinate do not have sufficient scientific evidence to substantiate that chromium picolinate could increase metabolic rate, promote weight loss, or reduce body fat. This product has been reported to be associated with cases of hypoglycemia, nephrotoxicity (at high doses), dissolution of muscle tissue, acute generalized pustules, as well as cognitive and personality disturbances.

- Laxatives: As mentioned earlier, laxative products often contain a form of a stimulant cathartic (bisacodyl, cascara sagrada or senna). Problems associated with these agents include: Bisacodyl-GI irritation, fluid and electrolyte loss, cramping, development of tolerance, severe vomiting, electrolyte imbalance with misuse, hypokalemia, senna-hepatitis, abdominal cramping, nausea, electrolyte disturbance (e.g., hypokalemia, hypocalcemia, metabolic alkalosis or acidosis). Increased mucus secretion, reduced spontaneous bowel function, and melanotic pigmentation of the colonic mucosa (melanosis coli) may confirm laxative abuse. Another ingredient in laxatives, bladder wrack kelp, is a source of iodine, which may potentiate hyperthyroidism, worsen preexisting acne, or lead to new eruptions.

- Guarana: Despite being touted as a metabolism booster and fat burner, Guarana's active ingredient is caffeine, which can cause a temporary increase in metabolic rate. It is probably better to save your money on the expensive herbs and just drink a coffee instead.

- Herbal Weight Loss Teas/Senna: Herbal teas, many of which contain senna, aloe, buckthorn, and other plant-derived laxatives, can cause diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, stomach cramps, chronic constipation, fainting, and even death if you take excessive amounts. These products that you can buy in health food stores and through mail-order catalogs, are used for weight loss based on some consumers' belief that increased bowel movements prevent absorption of calories, thus preventing weight gain. However, a special committee of the FDA concluded in 1995 that studies show that laxative-induced diarrhea does not significantly reduce absorption of calories. Laxatives do not work on the small intestine, where calories are absorbed, but rather on the colon, the lower end of the bowel.

- Chitosan/Chitin: Chitosan is a fiber that comes from the skeletons of crabs and other crustaceans. Lately, there have been a slew of claims that chitosan "traps fat" and can help you lose weight. Some research on mice shows that chitosan can be helpful in reducing blood sugar and cholesterol levels. But, it does not show that it reduced the weight of obese mice. Other studies have showed no correlation between chitosan intake and weight loss. Thus, weight loss claims associated with this product appear to be unsubstantiated.

- Other herbs: A few other herbs that are claimed to help with weight loss include: Skullcap, which has been associated with hepatic toxicity, wahoo bark berries which are toxic (reactions including GI symptoms (colic, bloody diarrhea), elevation of body temperature, circulatory disorders, elevated cerebrospinal fluid pressure, stupor progressing to unconsciousness, or tonic clonic spasms), wild yam root which produces a picrotoxin-like effect (tonic clonic spasms headache, dizziness, nausea) on overdose. The mild diuretic uva ursi which has been reported to cause nausea and vomiting, and gingko biloba, which has been associated with headache, GI upset, allergic skin reactions, and several cases of cerebral hemorrhage.

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