What Are Some Herbal Mixtures That Help Suppress Your Appetite?

Appetite suppressants act on the brain to create a feeling a fullness. Herbal supplements can be used along with a healthy diet and exercise to promote weight loss and general good health, according to the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database; however, there are some concerns about the safety of herbal appetite suppressants. There is little scientific evidence that herbal appetite suppressants are effective. Consult a doctor before using any herbal products.

Garcinia Cambogia

Hydroxy citric acid is a form of citric acid found in the garcinia cambogia, a plant native to southeastern Asia. According to the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, hydroxy citric acid works primarily by inhibiting the production and storage of fatty acids in the body; however, animal studies suggest appetite suppressant properties as well. Researchers at the Creighton School of Pharmacology found that hydroxy citric acid taken from garcinia plants increases the level of neurotransmitters in the brains in rats. Neurotransmitters like serotonin function to regulate appetite, eating behaviors and mood. Headaches and upset stomach have been reported with hydroxy citric acid.

Hoodia

The hoodia plant grows in the Kalahari dessert of Africa. The San people of South Africa have used it for centuries to control hunger during their travels across the desert. The World Health Organization reports that the San people own the intellectual property rights regarding the development of hoodia products. The Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database states the mechanism of hoodia's action as an appetite suppressor is a compound known as P57, which acts on the brain to decrease hunger. There have been no reports of adverse effects linked to hoodia.

Saint John's Wort

Saint John's wort is an herbal antidepressant with properties similar to a class of antidepressants known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Several of these antidepressants---like fluoxetine---are used to suppress the appetite in the treatment of obesity. Saint John's wort allows serotonin to concentrate where needed in the brain, which improves mood. It is also an ingredient in herbal weight-loss products because of serotonin's link to appetite control. The Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database states that there is no scientific evidence supporting the use of Saint John's wort for weight loss.

Bitter Orange

The active ingredient in bitter orange---or Citrus aurantium---is synephrine. Synephrine is a stimulant similar to ephedrine, which is the active ingredient in ephedra, a weight-loss herbal supplement that was banned by the FDA in 2004. A 2005 article in the International Journal of Obesity explains that bitter orange has been linked to stroke, heart attack and other cardiac problems. The research concluded that consumers should not trust ingredient labels to accurately represent the type of synephrine in a bitter orange product---a potential safety problem. While the FDA granted Generally-Recognized-as-Safe status for the use of bitter orange in food, there is insufficient scientific evidence to support its use for weight loss.