Hoodia. The plant that suppresses appetite.

 Hoodia (pronounced Hoo-Dee-Ah, a flowering plant of 13 species, can reach up to one metre high. They have large, often tan coloured flowers with a strong smell.

These plants can be found in the Namib and Kalahari deserts in Namibia and South Africa. They grow on plains and in rocky places. Some of the common names for them are “Bushman’s Hat” and “Queen of the Desert”. Several species are grown as garden plants.

Studies have shown that Hoodia Gordonii can be used as an appetite suppressant. It is heavily marketed for weight loss and is one of the most popular weight loss products on the market today.

The Botanic Gardens Conservation International (it represents Botanic Gardens in 120 countries) stated on 18 January 2008 that 400 medicinal plants are at risk of extinction. The problem is over collection and deforestation. This treatens the discovery of future cures for disease. Hoodia, Yew trees (its bark is used for cancer drugs), Magnolias (used by the Chinese to fight cancer, dementia and heart disease for over 5 000 years) and Autumn crocus (gout). Apparently five billion people rely on traditional plant based medicine for health care.

Currently Hoodia is listed in Appendix II to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Fauna and Flora (CITES). This list includes species not currently considered endangered but at risk if trade is not controlled.

This presents us with a new problem. How long before a ban will be placed on Hoodia? It is immensely popular as a weight loss product and is for this reason marketed heavily. Before Hoodia there was a herb called Ephedra. When it was banned Hoodia took over.

(I will write more on Hoodia Gordonii, the actual plant used in weight loss products, in a follow up article.)

You can also go to my blog, Healthy Body – Healthy Mind, for more on health products.

Steven D, South Africa

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