How to Lose Weight With Herbal Solutions

Losing weight is a challenge for many people. Those desiring a more natural way to fight the battle of the bulge may choose herbal supplements for their weight loss programs. Herbs can also help to improve the overall health of your body. There are many herbs on the market for weight loss; what works for one person may not be effective for another. There are herbs that boost metabolism, suppress appetite, and eliminate waste through detoxification of the body. Seek the advice of an herbalist when choosing the herbs to best fit your weight loss needs.

Things You'll Need

• Stimulant-based herbs
• Appetite suppressing herbs
• Diuretic herbs
• Cathartic herbs
• Water
• Juice

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Instructions

• 1

  Take stimulant-based herbs. Stimulant-based herbs have thermogenic properties that increase the body's metabolic rate, causing it to burn more calories. Examples are cayenne, cinnamon, green tea, kelp and cardamom. According to Women's Fitness, studies have shown that cayenne increases the core body temperature and results in more weight loss in participants who took cayenne, versus participants who did not take cayenne. Metabolic rate can be boosted by eating six small meals a day in place of three large meals, drinking more water, and exercising.

• 2

  Take appetite suppressing herbs. Appetite suppressing herbs affect the hunger trigger in the brain by either "telling" the body that it is not hungry or by making the stomach feel full. Examples are fennel seed, hoodia gordonii, and psyllium. Psyllium provides natural fiber; drink plenty of water to accommodate the increase in fiber. Pears, oatmeal, beans and apples also provide fiber.

• 3

  Take diuretic herbs that help the body to excrete more water through urine. Examples are green tea, dandelion, yarrow and stinging nettle. Consider taking a daily vitamin supplement when using herbal diuretics to replace nutrients removed from the body by excess fluids.

• 4

  Take cathartic or colon cleansing herbs. Cathartic herbs stimulate the colon to eliminate waste and toxins from the body. A clean colon is essential to good health. Examples of colon cleansing herbs are cape aloe leaf, senna and cascara sagrada. It is recommended to take deep cleansing herbs that draw toxins out of the colon wall, along with cathartic herbs. Examples of deep cleansing herbs are bentonite clay, activated charcoal and apple pectin. Mix two to three teaspoons of any of these herbs in water or juice. Drink the mixtures five to 10 times a day. Take the cathartic herb and the colon cleansing herb in conjunction with each other but not at the same moment. Drink a minimum of 16 ounces of water with each dose.