Thermogenic herbs dominate the over-the-counter supplement industry. These botanical stimulants are frequently promoted as "fat burners" or metabolism-boosters; in theory, they facilitate weight loss by increasing the temperature and heart rate of the human body. Naturopaths and conventional health care practitioners both widely question the safety of thermogenic herbs. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration notes that many of these products can cause anxiety, insomnia, addiction, hypertension, heart attack and even death. Consult your health care provider before taking any thermogenic herb.
Tea
Extracts of the tea plant contain caffeine, a popular and relatively safe thermogenic. Green tea additionally contains epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a powerful antioxidant associated with several key health benefits. The University of Maryland Medical Center notes that EGCD may be partially responsible for green tea's reputation as a fat burner.
Guarana
The tropical plant guarana contains high concentrations of naturally occurring caffeine. Like other herbs containing caffeine, it may cause addiction, anxiety and insomnia.
Yerba Mate
A popular South American herb, yerba mate may be used as a high-antioxidant alternative to coffee. Like guarana, it contains caffeine and may cause "jitters" or anxiety.
Ephedra
The Chinese herb ma huang, or ephedra, has been banned from many Western markets because of its many serious side effects. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration links ephedra to serious adverse events like psychosis, heart attack and stroke.
Bitter Orange
Renowned naturopath Dr. Andrew Weil notes that synephrine, a compound found in bitter orange, is chemically similar to ephedra. While this herbal thermogenic may help to promote weight loss, it may also contribute to heart disease and other serious health problems.
Garcinia Cambogia
Dr. Andrew Weil reports that garcinia cambogia may suppress the appetite and boost the metabolism. However, this effect has only been demonstrated in animal tests, not human clinical trials.
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