Herbal Fat Reducer

Losing weight can be difficult, as anyone who has dieted knows. A sensible diet and increased exercise are both crucial to losing weight. There are also herbs that can help burn fat and increase energy.

Thermogenic Herbs

• Thermogenic herbs work by increasing the core body temperature. This increases your metabolism and allows you to burn extra fat. Herbs with thermogenic properties include cardamon, cinnamon, ginger and cayenne pepper. These herbs are all easily obtained, either in the spice aisle at the grocery store or as capsules and tinctures at the health-food store. Cardamon, cinnamon and ginger are also commonly included in different teas, either separately or together. Cayenne capsules come in a capsule that is enteric-coated, to prevent the burning sensation in your stomach that sometimes accompanies cayenne supplementation.

Garcinia Cambogia

• Garcinia cambogia originated in Ayurvedic medicine in India. Garcinia cambogia works to reduce the accumulation of liquid in fat cells. It can also inhibit cravings and curb your appetite. Garcinia cambogia has the ability to lower lipid levels. Lipid is the hormone that regulates hunger by signaling your body when you feel full. If lipid levels are too high, your body feels hungry and you eat. By taking Garcinia cambogia, your body retains the "I'm full" message longer. Garcinia cambogia is sold as a tea, in a tincture or as a capsule.

Other Herbs

• Other herbs beneficial to losing weight and burning fat include nettles, fennel, burdock, chickweed, ashwaganda, Reishi mushroom extract and Siberian ginseng. Nettles are rich sources of iron, vitamins C and E, calcium and magnesium. Nettles nourish cells better to curb cravings and suppress appetite. Nettles are often used with fennel because fennel curbs hunger and boosts energy. Burdock and chickweed work best together. Burdock is a diuretic that is high in iron and polyphenols. Chickweed breaks down fat molecules, and burdock flushes them from the system. Ashwaganda, Reishi mushroom extract and Siberian ginseng are all adaptogenic herbs that inhibit the production of cortisol. Cortisol is a hormone our bodies overproduce when we are stressed or eat too many carbohydrates and can cause the retention of stomach fat. The adaptogenic herbs block cortisol and increase the body's ability to burn fat.