What Herbs Help With Weight Loss?

Weight loss basically boils down to burning more calories that you take in. Eating less and exercising more is a sure fire way to shed unwanted pounds, according to the Mayo Clinic. Herbs, such as green tea, bitter orange, licorice and dandelion, may also be a helpful component of an effective weight loss program.

Green Tea

Green tea and green tea extracts have been used to aid in weight loss, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM). In fact green tea has been used as a diuretic to encourage urination in China, India, Japan and Thailand for thousands of years.

Licorice

Licorice may help reduce body fat, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC). One study involving 15 people of average weight consumed 3.5 grams of licorice for a period of two months. While licorice seemed to lower body fat mass, the study participants also retained a greater amount of water. The findings of the study were published in 2003 in the "Journal of Endocrinological Investigation."

Bitter Orange

Bitter orange is sometimes used to promote weight loss. The NCCAM says many herbal weight-loss product contain concentrated extracts of bitter orange peel in place of ephedra. Ephedra was sold as a weight loss supplement and energy booster until May 2004 when it was banned by the FDA, according to the UMMC.
The ban was imposed after it was discovered that ephedra increases blood pressure and is linked to heart attacks and strokes. According to NCCAM, there is scant evidence to indicate that bitter orange is any safer than ephedra.

Dandelion

Dandelion is a natural diuretic that increases urine production by promoting the excretion of salts and water from the kidneys, according to UMMC.
The Mayo Clinic says dandelion leaves may have a diuretic effect that can help eliminate water retention to stimulate the excretion of urine. This effect may lead to temporary weight loss.

Aloe

Aloe, also known as aloe vera, comes from a cactus-like plant and is sometimes contained in weight-loss products. The Cleveland Clinic says oral aloe may cause a temporary weight loss since it encourages bowel movements. However, there is no evidence to indicate that aloe can result in sustained weight loss.