Losing weight is at the top of many people’s to-do- lists, a fact not missed by the weight loose industry who makes billions of dollars a year selling products guaranteed to helped you loose weight quickly and easily. Using herbs for weight loss is not a new idea but it is certainly becoming more popular as the rate of obesity rises in our society.

Of course with all the herbal weight loss marketed and used, it can be hard to know which ones are really worth the money, and which are just a bunch of hype. This article will discuss four herbs believed to be effective for losing weight. In addition to a breakdown of the alleged benefits of using these herbs for weight loss, we’ll discuss some of the side effects that may result.

Dandelion

Gardeners know dandelion as a weed but it can also serve as a gentle diuretic when used as a weight loss herb. Dandelion when ingested as a tea or in salads, aids in digestion. Studies have also shown dandelion to be instrumental in removing cholesterol from the bloodstream as well as replacing minerals lost when taking certain laxatives. Use the leaves in a tea and the greens in a salad to reap the total benefits offered by using this weight loss herb.

Licorice Root

Licorice root is an herb used for weight loss by satisfying the sweet tooth and eliminating the cravings for fattening snacks. By eating one or two stalks a day, you can enjoy a sweet-tasting snack without adding a lot of empty calories to your diet. Avoid eating too much though since licorice root may lead to elevated blood pressure.

Garcinia Cambogia

This weight loss herb is used as a metabolic stimulant, appetite suppressant and digestive aid. It is available in capsule form in health food stores. Individuals looking for maximum effect should take one 500mg pill three times a day for four to eight weeks. This is probably one of the best herbs you can use for weight loss since it is believed to have no harmful side effects.

St John’s Wort

St. John’s Wort is distinctively sold to people as a way to improve or regulate mood swings. Its use as a weight loss herb rests entirely on research that shows the people who are depressed tend to end more than individuals who are not. So the theory goes that St. John’s Wort will make you happier and less prone to depressive eating binges. While this is possible, it isn’t advisable to make this herb the main method of your weight loss efforts.

This entry was posted on Monday, April 20th, 2009 at 2:52 pm and is filed under Weight Loss. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.