The Story Of Hoodia Gordonii

A plant which resembles cactus known as Hoodia Gordonii is grown in the deserts of South Africa. The plant Hoodia Gordonii looks like a cactus but it does not belong to the cactus family. It is being seen as a new discovery as an herbal supplement which can help you lose weight as the plant has the capacity to suppress hunger.

The point is why did one not know about it earlier and when did it start. As a matter of fact even today not much is known about this uncommon and difficult to grow plant.

In the late 1930’s an anthropologist discovered that the Kalahari used the Hoodia Gordonii cactus to suppress hunger and thirst when on long journeys through the dessert. This use of the Hoodia Gordonii cactus was actually a survival mechanism. The Hoodia Gordonii cactus allowed travelers to pass through the desert unscathed, which was likely the use intended by nature.

Many scientists got interested in the plant when the news of the effects of the Hoodia Gordonii plant on the appetite spread. They found it to be a potential for developing herbal weigh loss supplement from the cactus. Hoodia was used on animals to test its properties by a number of scientists during the sixties. They came to the conclusion that Hoodia Gordonii did have the ability to curb thirst and hunger.

Not much has been done on this subject after that. Some scientific study was done on humans by a maker of Hoodia Gordonii diet pills later but not much has been reported on this. It is difficult to say how the Hoodia Gordonii cactus helps in curbing a person’s hunger. There are no studies also which suggest that there is any negative impact of the plant on humans.

Food and Drug Administration has not given an approval to Hoodia Gordonii plant for being used in supplements for losing weight due to this reason. One can use it as a supplement for weight loss when more research has been done on it and its properties are established.

There is another big problem as it is very difficult to get this plant as it does not grow everywhere. The cactus needs a climate which is very hot with a little bit of humidity, which is common in South African deserts. There is not very good chance of getting this supplement easily and will also cost a lot.