The other thing I would like to point out is that when you are taking herbs or supplements to help you with weight loss ... more is NOT better! Just because you can get herbs and supplements without a prescription, does not lessen the fact that some can be just as dangerous as a drug presribed by a physician. A perfect example of this is the herb Ephedra. We all remember the bad publicity Ephedra got in 1997 when the FDA proposed stiff limits on dietary supplements containing Ephedrine. The public became aware of the hype of a new "miracle herb" that would melt the pounds away ... and took more than suggested doses of the chemical derivative of Ephedra for prolonged periods of time and many without investigating side effects. Which proves the point that in Western society, many look for the quick and easy way. Lesson here ... do you research before putting "anything" into your body and if instructions suggest a particular dosage, don't take two or more times the dose thinking it will bring you results faster ... this is extremely dangerous. In fairness to the herb Ephedra, there was one death reported from its usage and it was from a chemical derivative extracted from Ephedra; not from using the whole herb in a safe manner. But with safety and wellness in mind, one should not use Ephedra for prolonged periods of time or if you have high blood pressure, prostate disease and/or glaucoma.
Now, lets take a look at what will help. We will start with vitamins and supplements. Again, I would like to reiterate, these suggestions are to go along with healthy diet and exercise. I know for myself, I have terrible cravings for sugars and carbohydrates which really hampers my ability to lose weight. By taking 200-600 mcg of Chromium picolinate daily it will reduce sugar cravings by stabilizing the metabolism of simple carbs (sugars). If you are on a low-fat diet, adding essential fatty acids such as flaxseed oil, primrose oil or salmon oil (as directed on the label) will provide essential fatty acids needed by every cell in the body and help with appetite control. Taking 1-3 tablespoons of Lecithin granules or if in capsule form, 1200 mg 3 times daily will act as a fat emulsifier and break down fat so it can be removed from the body. A personal favorite of mine is Spirulina (I like Hawaiin), which is an excellent source of usable protein and contains nutrients to stabilize blood sugar and can even be used in place of a meal. Lastly, Vitamin C with bioflavonoids 3000-6000 mg daily; necessary for normal glandular functions and speeds up a slow metabolism by prompting it to burn more calories.
Now, on to herbs. A wonderful combination of herbs to be taken as a tea with diuretic properties: Alfalfa, Corn Silk, Dandelion, Gravel Root, Horsetail, Hydrangea, Hyssop, Juniper Berries, Oat Straw, Parsley, Seawrack, Thyme, Uva Ursi, White Ash and Yarrow. Aloe Vera juice improves digestion and cleanses the digestive track. Alma is an Ayurvedic herb that helps to increase lean body mass and reduce fat. If you are looking to stimulate your thyroid, you can use Borage Seed, Hawthorn Berry, Licorice Root (unless you have high blood pressure) or Sasparilla. If you are looking for a good appetite supressant, I have had great success with Hoodia Gordonii or you could try Guarana, Kola Nut or Fennal which will also remove mucus and fat from the intestinal tract. Fenugreek can also be helpful in dissolving fat within the liver. Gotu Kola aids in reducing body mass and aids in adrenal processes that facilitates carbohydrate metabolism and increases energy. Guggul, an ancient Ayurvedic herbal remedy, helps to normalize blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels. It also has a mildly stimulating effect on the thyroid. Siberian Ginseng is another personal favorite of mine and is helpful in aiding the movement of fluids and nutrients throughout the body and reduces stress when adjusting to new eating habits. Another personal favorite I would never be without is Trifala, an Ayurvedic herbal combination that rejuvenates glandular balance, stimulates thyroid hormones (when used over time) and aids with digestion. Green Tea extract is also a great herb to add to your weight loss program, as it increases energy. Other benefits of Green Tea extract include it being a potent antioxident, 200 times more powerful than Vitamin E in neutralizing free radicals; and that it also lowers blood cholesterol without side effects and lowers blood pressure using a mechanism employed by modern drugs classified as angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. And, lastly another daily herb, nobody should be without is Tumeric which strengthens digestion, increases energy and cleanses the blood. Tumeric has also recently been in many medical journals for its anti-cancer and anti-alzhiemer properties.
The "MOST" important part of using any herbs and/or supplements, is doing research. Do you know what it does? Do you know what it doesn't do? What are the side effects, if any? Do you know if it interacts with other herbs/supplements in a negative way? Does it interact with any of your medication negatively? Do you know how to use it safely? Do you know what the right dose is for you? If you don't know the answers to any of these questions, find out before you put it into your body ... ask questions of qualified professionals and consult with your physician before making any changes.
I'd like to wrap this article up with the most important part of weight loss ... WATER! Divide your body weight in half and drink that number in ounces of water every day ... it's the real miracle to good health.
A great place to get herbs is www.tenzingmomo.com. A great place to get Ayurvedic herbs is www.tattvasherbs.com. And, a great place to get vitamins and supplements is www.puritanspride.com.
Goddess Bless!
Information for this article was obtained from "Prescriptions for Nutritional Healing" and "Precriptions for Herbal Healing" both by Phyllis A. Balch (available at www.tenzingmomo.com)