Natural Herbal Diet

You have tried every weight loss pill, exercise plan or "yo-yo" diet out there, only to gain every pound back and maybe more. The frustration of trying to lose weight can become a vicious cycle leading to an unhealthy pattern that can take over your life. There is a way you can instead support your body's metabolism and fat loss mechanism without slowing down your metabolism and/or causing harm. It can be done with herbs. Yes, those same little shrubs you add to food for flavor. Herbs have very powerful medicinal properties that both support a healthy body and promote effective and permanent weight loss. When used properly, herbs are rarely accompanied by negative side effects. There are thousands of herbs, coming from all corners of the globe. Some specific herbs can help support weight loss.

Speed Up Your Metabolism With Green Tea

According to a study by Abdul G. Dulloo, et al., published in the December 1999 issue of the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition," "Green tea has thermogenic properties and promotes fat oxidation beyond that explained by its caffeine content per se. The green tea extract may play a role in the control of body composition via sympathetic activation of thermogenesis, fat oxidation, or both." In other words, green tea accelerates the body's temperature; thus it burns more calories due to the increased energy demand. Green tea also helps regulate your blood sugar and insulin levels. Enjoying a few cups of green tea daily can benefit your metabolism and keep your blood sugar level stable. You can add some lemon and a touch of honey for added sweetness and flavor if you would like. Green tea extract, in a capsule form, is an alternative to drinking tea. If you are pregnant or nursing, caution should be taken as green tea does contain a small amount of caffeine. It is also recommended that people with anxiety disorders or irregular heartbeats limit their intake to 2 cups daily.

Beat Your Sweet Tooth With Stevia

Stevia, also known as "sweet herb," is a natural sweetener that tastes up to 400 times sweeter than white table sugar. It is ideal for weight loss, as it does not raise blood sugar levels and is calorie free. The leaves of the stevia shrub contain glycosides that produce a sweet taste. Your body cannot metabolize these sweet glycosides. They are therefore eliminated from the body with no caloric value. The herb also has many therapeutic properties, including the inhibition of cavities and plaque, according to "Stevia: Nature's Sweetener" by Rita Elkins. Stevia has been established as effective and safe, as it has been used for thousands of years by native South Americans. What is so great about stevia is that it can be added as a sweetener to all sorts of food and beverages, and it is heat stable, which means that it can be used for baking and cooking. Caution should be taken when buying stevia products; ensure that the product is pure stevia and that no fillers or other sweeteners have been added.

Warm Up Your Home and Heart With Cinnamon

If you think cinnamon is simply a condiment to sprinkle on your cookies or hot chocolate, think again. With its sweet, warming properties, cinnamon was once considered more valuable than gold. It has various powerful medicinal values. Cinnamon has gained much attention in the alternative medicine world for its ability to reduce blood sugar and improve insulin sensitivity, states Phyllis A. Balch, CNC, in "Prescription for Nutritional Healing." Regulating your insulin can help in weight control. Cinnamon is also known as a thermogenic herb, which means that it speeds up the body's metabolism by increasing body temperature. It also improves digestion and aids in the metabolism of fat. Cinnamon is available as a stick or is crushed into a powder and can be added to all sorts of foods, from oatmeal to salads and shakes. It can also be sipped as a tea or taken as a supplement. A word of caution: cinnamon should not be used in high doses during pregnancy.

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Get That Extra Stimulation With Guarana

Guarana has gained popularity in the herbal world. It is a plant coming from the Amazon rainforest. The plant produces black seeds that contain a caffeine content almost double that of coffee beans. As explained by Balch, caffeine is a stimulant that raises the body's overall energy expenditure, leading to more calories and fat being burned. Warning: caffeine in excess stimulates the central nervous system and heart. Individuals with anxiety disorders or heart problems are advised to avoid caffeine.

Cut the Calories With Hoodia

Hoodia is a well-known herbal supplement used to suppress the appetite. Studies published in 2007, conducted by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research in South Africa, confirmed that extracts from the hoodia species possess appetite-suppressing properties. Keep in mind that although hoodia is indeed useful in suppressing your appetite, it will not address possible overeating problems and/or unhealthy food choices. A common mistake that many people make is to expect that hoodia will do all the work for them when it comes to weight loss. Not true. Hoodia will not help support your weight loss if you continue eating unhealthy foods or overeat even when not hungry. The best approach in using hoodia is to combine it with a healthy, balanced diet, eating small meals every few hours and participating in regular exercise that will help you build muscle, which plays an important role in accelerating your metabolism and burning fat.

The Big Picture

A natural herbal diet is just a small piece of the weight loss puzzle. The best way to obtain optimal results when using an herbal approach to weight loss is to ensure that it is accompanied with a healthy diet and lifestyle, including regular exercise and stress management. Small, healthy changes are the cornerstone of any weight loss plan. You won't magically lose weight simply by popping a few herbal pills into your mouth. Permanent weight loss comes with a true lifestyle change along with a positive and determined mind. Weight loss starts with basic good health.