Hoodias are protected plants, typical of the Namib Desert, ranging from Central Namibia to southern Angola, especially in plains and rocky areas. Common names include “Bushmans Hat” and “Queen of the Namib”.

The medicinal use of Hoodia is long known by the indigenous populations of Southern Africa, who use these plants for treating indigestion and small infections. Recently the pharmaceutical companies discovered that Hoodia extracts can be used to lower blood pressure and reduce the appetite.

This breakthrough research lead to such a demand for Hoodia plants, that a protected status was imposed in several countries like Namibia.

The native Bushmans name for this plant is Xshoba.
Hoodias are also grown as garden plants.

The Hoodia Plant
The cactus-like Hoodia Gordonii plant is native to the Kalahari desert region of Southern Africa.

Hoodia is a member of the Asclepiadoideae sub-family of the Apocynaceae family which is a genus of succulents plants that are related to cacti.

Succulents are plants that store water in their engorged fleshy roots, stems and leaves. a majority of Parenchyma tissue contributes to this storage of water which enables them to grow in harsh, dry environments.

There are 13 species of Hoodia, twelve of which are native to Southern Africa. The plant is seen as a small clump of upright stems having a palish green color. Hoodia are extremely difficult to grow and require a lot of attention and precise regulation of temperature, sunlight and water.

The various Hoodia species occur in rainfall areas in Namibia, Botswana, Angola, and other areas of Southern Africa. Although the genus Hoodia is somewhat common in Southern Africa, Hoodia Gordonii usually only occurs in South Africa and Namibia.

The San People
The hunter-gatherer San speaking tribal people of the Kalahari desert have long known about the appetite suppressing capabilities of the Hoodia Gordoni plant, and have used the stem to ward off the great hunger they would feel during hunting excursions across the desert.

It is widely held that these indigenous people have used the plant for over tweny five thousand years.

Andries Steenkamp, a spokesman for the indigenous San people spoke in an interview with ABC news: “I learned how to eat it from my forefathers. It is my food, my water and also a medicine for me. Steenkamp also spoke about the uses for the plant: “We San use the plant during hunting to fight off the pain of hunger and thirst.”

The discovery of Hoodia
It was not until the mid 1970s that commercial and scientific interest appeared for using Hoodia Gordonii cactus extract as an appetite suppressant.

Over the next thirty years, South Africa’s National Laboratory worked on isolating and identifying the active compound in Hoodia Gordonii that was responible for the appetite suppressant effects.

Scientists at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in Southern Africa applied for a patent in 1997 and in turn licensed the development and commercialization to a biotech firm in the United Kingdom, Phytopharm research. ( for more on the scientific study of Hoodia and information about its active compound ‘P57’, see our scientific research page here.

Since licensing the research to Phytopharm, who then in turn sold the licensing to Pzfizer, millions of dollars in research and multiple scientific studies have taken place confirming that the active compound in Hoodia Gordonii is extremely effective at relieving hunger.

This research solidifies the hundreds of years of anecdotal evidence regarding the unique qualities of the Hoodia plant.

The active compound that is responsible for the effects of Hoodia

Gordonii on appetite has been named “P57” by the pharmaceutical companies.

The molecule has a direct action on an area of the brain known as the hypothalamus, which regulates many functions of the body, including that of hunger and appetite. When you eat, the rise in your blood sugar is detected by this part of the brain, which then determines that you have eaten and in response release hormones that give the feeling of being “full”.

The Hoodia compound mimics the sugar glucose, so when taken as a supplement, your brain detects what it thinks is a rise in blood glucose and sends these same hormones, in effect tricking your body into thinking it has already eaten.

Hoodia Gordonii taken regularly as a diet supplement provides:

* a reduced interest in eating
* the ability to feel “full” much quicker than before
* a much greater period between meals

Hoodia does not cause the common side effects of most diet supplements, including the “stimulant effect”, which can consist
of nausea, jitteriness, and headache.

Hoodia Gordonii facts:
Hoodia is 100% All Natural
Caffeine, Ephedra and Stimulant FREE
Most effective known plant to drastically reduce appetite
No known side effects
Helps you lose weight naturally
Multiple scientific studies prove effectivness

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This year’s biggest star appears to be Hoodia Gordonii. By now you have seen Hoodia on the news, read about Hoodia in popular magazines and more-then-likely have been reading up on Hoodia.

But exactly what is Hoodia and why all the hoopla?

Hoodia, although not actually a cactus, is part of the cactus like family, the succlents. Hoodia in the wild, is found in the arid, southwestern part of Africa and grows from only 2-3 feet tall. It has prickly spikes which must be scraped off to reveal the inner flesh. Hoodia or Xhoba, as it is called by the San people, contains a molecule called P57 that actually tricks the brain into believing that you are full.

Originally used by the San People to help quench thirst and stave off hunger during lean times and food gathering trips, Hoodia now is being used by thousands worldwide to help control their weight by reducing hunger and cravings.

So why is Hoodia so different from previous weight control products?

Other then suppressing hunger, Hoodia currently has no other known side effects. No racing heart, no nausea, no diarrhea, no keeping you up late at night.

Many Hoodia users find that they consume an average of 1,000 calories less per day. That’s an average daily calorie savings of 50%. With a pound of fat being 3,500 calories you can see that it only takes approximately 30 days to lose 10 pounds.

No counting carbs, calories or purchasing special foods. You eat the foods you like, only less of them.

Hoodia, is relatively inexpensive. Unlike previous products, Hoodia is affordable.

Hoodia comes in several forms. There are pills, liquids, Coffee with Hoodia, Tea with Hoodia, chewy candy-like products and the list goes on. There is a Hoodia product to fit everyone’s personality.

Are all Hoodia products alike? Absolutely not! Absolutely not! Absolutely not! I can’t stress that enough.

Here is what you should look for in your Hoodia product.

The Hoodia plant has many cousins, which although can be called Hoodia they do not have the appetite suppressant power of Hoodia Gordonii. Only choose a Hoodia product that is made from Hoodia Gordonii.

Hoodia is now farmed in other areas of the world like China or Mexico. Only South African Hoodia Gordonii is premium Hoodia Gordonii.

Read your product label. Does your Hoodia product contain binders and fillers? If so, you are paying for added ingredients and are getting less Hoodia.

For maximum benefits you should be taking between 1,000 mgs – 3,000 mgs of Hoodia daily (1-3 grams). Check your product label to see how much Hoodia is in your product. If it’s only 300 mgs per capsule you will need approximately 10 capsules per day for its full effect. If you choose a capsule, liquid or tea product that has 1,000 mgs per serving you will only need 3 servings per day. Although this product may appear on the surface to be more expensive it is actually less expensive per day.

Most people will feel Hoodia’s appetite suppressant qualities the first day but it may take 3-5 days to feel the maximum effect, so give your product time to work.

In closing remember to choose a product that is pure South African Hoodia Gordonii, with no binders or fillers and take 1-3 grams per day for maximum effect. And always check first with your physician or health care practitioner before taking Hoodia or any appetite suppressant product as you may have an underlying health condition or prescription medication that would prohibit its use. Do not use if pregnant or nursing. Follow the product label instructions and don’t use more then the recommended dosage. Also know that Hoodia products have not been evaluated by the FDA and therefore they are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Since Hoodia can drastically curb your appetite be sure to use your calories wisely. Choose fresh fruits, vegetables, lean meats, drink plenty of water and take a good vitamin-mineral product.

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