Herbs for Appetite Control

If you need or want to lose weight, you are not alone. Many people in the present and in the past have been in the same boat. One of the most important aspects of losing weight is appetite control. Especially in modern times, there are easy sources of fat, sugar and empty calories around every corner. There are diet pills on the market that profess to work wonders, but there are also a number of herbs that can help curb your appetite and help you lose weight.

Chickweed

• Chickweed grows in many kinds of climates and therefore can be found all over the world. The herb is high in nutrients such as beta carotene, riboflavin, selenium, calcium, niacin, flavonoids and zinc. You can eat chickweed like many other kinds of leafy greens, either raw, particularly in salads, or cooked. Chickweed is known in folk medicine as a treatment for obesity. It’s also used to treat kidney problems, as an expectorant and as an antihistamine.

Guarana

• Guarana is made from a plant grown in Brazil, and it’s often called Brazilian cocoa. It is said to be both a stimulant and a diuretic. Many of the effects of gurana are similar to coffee. While guarana may help you control your appetite, its stimulant properties may also cause high blood pressure, so don’t use guarana without speaking to your doctor.

Evening Primrose

• Another natural appetite suppressant is evening primrose. Evening primrose is often used to reduce inflammation, including arthritis. It also helps reduce cholesterol levels. Evening primrose can be found dried and as an essential oil.

Psyllium

• Psyllium are actually small seeds, which are often used crushed as natural appetite controllers. They are good source of fiber as well and are used in commercial laxative products such as Metamucil. Psyllium taken with a glass of water before meals helps you to feel full, and therefore allows you to eat less without starving yourself.

Cayenne

• Cayenne has long been thought to help suppress the appetite. Cayenne also helps raise your metabolism, lower cholesterol levels and reduce blood pressure. It’s also believed to help fight fatigue, because of the raised metabolism and better distribution of oxygen. Taking too much cayenne can lead to heartburn, however.

Caralluma Fimbriata

• Caralluma fimbriata is an herb grown and traditionally used in India. It’s an edible, star-shaped plant that can be eaten as a vegetable in chutneys and other dishes. The plant grows wild in the Indian countryside and is often used during periods of famine, when food was scarce. Ayurveda, traditional Indian medicine, lists no adverse side effects for caralluma fimbriata, and it is not known to be toxic.