Herbal supplement manufacturers widely promote the notion that medicinal herbs can support weight loss. Touted as "fat burners," these natural products may help to enhance fat burning by increasing metabolism, suppressing the appetite or promoting the synthesis of lean muscle mass. Herbal fat burners vary significantly in their safety and efficacy, and none has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as over-the-counter weight loss aids. If you are interested in using any herbal medicine for weight loss, consult your health care provider about the possible benefits and risks.
Ephedra
During the 1980s and 1990s, ephedra was used in many over-the-counter herbal weight loss products. This traditional Chinese herb contains the powerful stimulants ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, which may accelerate weight loss. However, the Mayo Clinic reports that the Food and Drug Administration banned ephedra due to concerns about the herb's safety. Other herbs containing ephedrine, including country mallow or heartleaf, are also illegal in the United States.
Green Tea
Another ancient oriental herb, green tea, has been used for at least 5,000 years for culinary and medicinal purposes. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, compounds in green tea can improve weight loss and maintenance in overweight and obese adults. The UMMC attributes these effects to catechins, powerful antioxidant compounds found exclusively in green tea. Green tea's caffeine content may also influence its efficacy as a weight loss aid.
Bitter Orange
According to Mayo Clinic, bitter orange may increase weight loss by increasing the number of calories burned. The primary active compound in bitter orange is synephrine, which is chemically similar to ephedrine. Although still legal in the United States, bitter orange may pose many of the risks attributed to ephedra and similar herbs. Use bitter orange only under the guidance of a qualified health care provider, and avoid it entirely if you have a medical condition.
Hoodia
The endangered African cactus hoodia gordonii dominates the supplement industry as an appetite suppressant and fat-burner. The San bushmen of South Africa historically used this medicinal herb to reduce hunger pangs during times of famine, and Western scientists now attribute its efficacy to the compound P57. However, Mayo Clinic notes that there is not enough evidence to confirm hoodia's overall safety or efficacy. Hoodia may be combined with other herbal fat burners, such as green tea or bitter orange. Talk to your doctor before trying poducts that contain hoodia.
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