March 9, 2007
Hoodia Weight Loss Product - Not all plants with thorns hurt
African hoodia cactus is a popular African herb also known as Xshoba or xhooba. xSan Bushmen used it to treat indigestion, minor skin infections and as an appetite and thirst suppressant during long hunts. This plant usually resembles a cactus when seen growing wild in the Kalahari Desert. Biologists know the African hoodia cactus as hoodia gordonii. As it is a kind of a succulent, so the names hoodia cactus and South African desert cactus are actually misnomers, but they are commonly used. The African hoodia cactus is a beautiful plant as its flowers are pale purple and appear after the plant is fully grown.
A gift of the nature to mankind
Some years ago, Phytopharm decided to research the properties of the African hoodia cactus and for that they established plantations in South Africa. Some problems have been encountered in the attempts of commercial cultivation of the African hoodia cactus. The major problem is that of the temperature. The African hoodia cactus requires the desert like temperatures. Also to be noted is that usually the African hoodia cactus takes four of five years to reach full maturity.
Thus, the count of the Xshoba cactus plants has become extremely limited and hoodia is declared as a protected species by the governments of South Africa greatly restricting it’s harvesting. Moreover, many supplement companies have also started marketing products which contain the plant in powdered or concentrated form. Most commonly the African hoodia cactus products are being sold to dieters as appetite suppressants.
Despite concerns being raised about safety and cost of the planet, there are researches supporting the claims made by these companies. Certain areas of Africa being the only exporters, hoodia products are expensive. Clinical tests are underway and have not been completed and effects of long-term use are not known. Even though there are almost twenty more different varieties of hoodia but only hoodia gordonii is believed to contain the natural appetite suppressant.
It is recommended to buy hoodia products from a reputable company that sells a complete line of products There are few companies which are selling products that are purported to contain the African hoodia cactus, but if it is not hoodia gordonii, then its not going to have any effect. One more thing to remember is to drink plenty of water since hoodia suppresses thirst, as well as appetite. Thus, whatever name you say. While the plant is in great demand, it is a must to protect the wild African hoodia cactus from being over-harvested, remember it’s a gift of the nature which mankind has no right to squander.
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