Herbs That Help Burn Body Fat

If you have too much body fat, you likely have a weight problem and may even be considered obese. Being overweight can cause sleep disturbances, snoring, back pain, fatigue and excessive sweating, and if not treated, can lead to serious health problems, such as type-2 diabetes, hypertension and heart disease. Herbs can help you burn body fat and contribute to your overall health. Consult a health care professional before starting herbal threatment.

Herbal Actions

Herbs that burn body fat are called thermogenics. Thermogenesis is a process your body uses to generate heat energy to burn fat. Thermogenic herbs stimulate your metabolism to increase energy output and fat oxidation. These herbs work in different ways. Some thermogenic herbs affect hormones, such as norepinephrine and leptin, that regulate thermogenesis. Other herbs help your body metabolize fats better, using them for energy rather than storing them in your tissues. You can make teas from these herbs, but consult a practitioner knowledgeable about herbs for advise on how to use them for fat burning.

Ginseng

American ginseng, or Panax quinquefolium, and Asian ginseng, or Panax ginseng, are both small perennials used in herbal medicine throughout the world. The active ingredients include a group of saponins known as ginsenosides, and traditional healers use the plant to regulate the immune system and treat metabolic disorders like obesity and diabetes. In a study published in the June 2008 issue of "Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders Drug Targets," researchers found that the ginsenosides were thermogenetic---they increased body temperature and enhanced energy output. They also found that the berries had more effect on fat burning than the roots. You can make a tea or tincture from the berries. Avoid this herb if you have an autoimmune disorder.

Green Tea

Green tea, or Camellia sinensis, is made from the same plant as black tea, but the leaves have undergone less fermentation, making them richer in polyphenols than other teas. Herbalists use the leaves in teas, tinctures and extracts to treat a range of disorders, including obesity. The active ingredients include the potent polyphenol known as epigallocatechin gallate, or EGCG. In a study published in the February 2006 issue of "Molecular Nutrition and Food Research," researchers state that EGCG activates hormones like norepinephrine, which stimulate thermogenesis and fat oxidation, thereby contributing to weight loss. This herb contains caffeine, so it may produce symptoms like irritability and nervousness.

Brazilian Cocoa

Brazilian cocoa, or Paullinia cupana, is the main ingredient in a popular beverage in South America known as guarana. The seeds are rich in saponins, alkaloids, caffeine, tannins, flavonoids,theophylline and theobromine, and local healers use them to treat diarrhea, nerve pain, fever, high blood pressure and heart disease. According to rain-tree.com, guarana may aid weigh loss through a mild thermogenic effect. You can take guarana mixed with water as a beverage. The herb contains high levels of caffeine, so it may cause restlessness or sleeplessness.