Natural Herbs That Speed Up Your Metabolism

Your metabolism encompasses all the physical and chemical processes in which your body converts or uses energy. This includes breathing, blood circulation, body temperature control, muscle contraction, waste elimination, brain function and digestion of foods and nutrients, according to MedlinePlus. Health-conscious individuals are most interested in speeding up the metabolism for weight loss and maintenance. Eating certain herbs may encourage this, however, sufficient data on its effectiveness is lacking. Always consult your physician prior to taking any herbal remedy.

Ephedra

The ephedra plant treats several symptoms, including asthma, common cold, hypotension and urinary complications. However, it also acts to accelerate the metabolism to enhance overall body performance as well as increase weight loss, according to William McArdle et al., in the book "Exercise Physiology." This is due to the presence of naturally occurring ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, which is similar to amphetamines. Although widely used medically by chemically separating the plant to procure and isolate these compounds, using the entirety of the ephedra herb is safer and less habit-forming, according to McArdle et al. Ephedra plants are well-known for their metabolic-enhacing properties in both Chinese and India.

Green Tea

Green tea contains polyphenols help to speed up the metabolic rate of the body, according to William Muirhead in the book "Green Tea -- It's Hidden Benefits." This herb helps to suppress the appetitie and stave off hunger, while improving your metabolic function, Muirhead notes. Green tea also reduces fat formation, lowers the absorption of fat and reduces triglyceride levels in the blood, Ridha Arem says in the book "The Thyroid Solution." The presence of caffeine in the green tea, Arem notes, doubly improves weight loss to reduce cravings. Arem recommends drinking 1 cup of green tea three times per day prior to each meal.

Ginger

Eating spicy herbs like ginger can speed up the metabolism and encourage calorie burning, Jean Carper says in the book "Food -- Your Miracle Medicine." Both fresh and dry versions of this herb may help to burn up to 20 percent more energy than normal, Carper reports. This is due to the presence of gingerol, which is the compound responsible for giving ginger its pungent flavor.