Is There A Herb That Will Help You Lose Weight?

Weight loss is very simple in theory, you burn more calories than you take in. But actually being able to do that is very difficult for most people, hence all of the diets and diet aids available online, on TV, radio and at almost every department, grocery and drug store. There are some herbs available that can help promote weight loss, but they will not melt the fat away without any actions on your part.

Weight Loss Basics

For permanent weight loss, you need to lose body fat. When you eat more than you can burn, your body will store the extra calories as fat cells. During periods of rest your body will still burn those calories, but the amount depends on your metabolism and the amount of muscle you have. Even if your metabolism is sluggish, exercising to gain some muscle mass will increase the energy consumed during sleep and relaxing.

Diuretics

Your body contains an enormous amount of water. Water is needed to keep your blood flowing and all of the cells working. Our bodies will store extra water, which means extra weight, for a few reasons. When we don't drink enough, the body will tend to hold onto it, not knowing when the next drink refill will come. If your diet consists of a lot of salt, the body will also hold onto excess water. If drinking plenty of water and reducing your salt intake does not help release the extra water weight, then taking an herb that acts like a diuretic may help. Herbalist Michael Tierra suggests herbs such as dandelion root, parsley, juniper, plantain and burdock to help with water retention.

Stimulants

Herbal stimulants can dilate blood vessels, increase blood flow and can cause you to be more energetic. Not all herbal stimulants are safe and some should never be used. Guarana and ephedra are two herbs that are considered dangerous if not prescribed by a physician or certified herbalist as they could cause your blood pressure and heart rate to increase rapidly. Ginger, ginseng and cayenne can help increase the blood flow and are generally considered safe. Ginseng is also used in Traditional Chinese Medicine and is also believed to increase your general vigor, or qi.

Bowel Cleansers

Our bodies can also hold onto weight in the intestines especially when you are constipated or suffer from sluggish bowels. Enemas and colonic irrigation can help remove the waste, but tend to be messy and uncomfortable. Herbs such as senna, cascara sagrada and aloe are suggested by herbalist Phylis Balch and can be taken as a tea or tablet to help increase excretion. Please be aware that senna can cause a somewhat violent reaction to your digestive tract and includes cramping.

Warnings

Before taking any herb or supplement you should always speak to your physician first. Many herbs can interact with over-the-counter and prescription medications. Also, there is always a risk of alergic reactions. The FDA has issued warnings on products containing ephedra, and guarana contains high levels of caffeine.