The Effect of Medicinal Herbs on Body Weight

Medicinal herbs have long been used to assist in weight loss. Coupled with diet and exercise, an herbal weight loss regimen can speed up weight loss and improve your general health. Used in safe amounts, weight loss herbs can be a safe alternative to prescription weight loss drugs, but it is important to note their side effects and potential for abuse.

Thermogenic Herbs

• Thermogenic herbs are herbs that affect body weight by increasing your breathing rate, heart rate, and rate of digestion. Common thermogenic herbs include green tea, nettle and dandelion. Thermogenic herbs usually include a stimulant, such as caffeine, which helps burn extra calories and can also cause your body to reduce its water weight. Adverse physiological effects related to the use of stimulant-based weight loss herbs include shakiness, dizziness, nausea, sweating and abdominal cramps. Adverse psychological effects of herbal stimulants can include anger, panic, and in extreme cases, hallucinations and psychotic episodes. Some users of herbal stimulants can become addicted to the stimulant effect of the herb and will experience a crash of energy when the stimulant treatment is stopped.

Water-Reducing Herbs

• Water-reducing herbs, also known as diuretic herbs, are used for weight loss because they cause the body to expel water at a faster rate, which can reduce bloating, swelling and cause a drop in body weight. Diuretics do not reduce fat and only offer a temporary weight loss effect, since water weight is gained back when new water is reabsorbed. Diuretics can be dangerous because they can cause dehydration if you do not drink enough water while taking them. Common diuretics include ova ursi, linden, yarrow, and herbs containing caffeine, such as green tea, nettles and dandelion.

Herbal Laxatives

• Herbal laxatives are not a recommended method of weight loss. Herbal laxatives stimulate your digestive system, causing your body to empty the food you eat at a rate that is too fast to allow your body to absorb it. Use of herbal laxatives can cause severe nutritional deficiencies, including a deficiency in necessary bodily salts, which can result in hospitalization and death.

Appetite Suppressants

• Herbal appetite suppressants send messages to your brain that you are full. Appetite suppressants can be taken before, during or after a meal to stop cravings and make you eat less. Common appetite suppressants include cayenne pepper, fennel and grapefruit. Side effects for appetite suppressant herbs include nausea and stomachache.

Considerations

• Always check with your doctor if you have any health concerns about starting an herbal weight loss plan. Herbs generally recognized as safe for weight loss include nettle, green tea and dandelion.

Warning

• It is important to contact your doctor before beginning a weight loss plan. Herbal weight loss supplements are not intended to cause significant weight loss on their own and should be combined with a healthy diet and exercise plan.