Weight Loss & Control

Astragalus, Milk Vetch, Huang Qi (Chinese) (Astragalus membranaceus) improves energy levels, increases endurance by raising immune resistance, and lowers blood pressure. It controls body fluids by reducing sweating, relieving fluid retention, and reducing thirstiness. It encourages the system to function correctly.

Ephedra, Ma Huang (Chinese) (Ephedra sinca), Desert Tea (Ephedra spp.) is strongly stimulant and diuretic, increases sweating, and can cause insomnia. Mimics the effect of adrenaline increasing alertness. Promotes calm concentration. Also relieves asthma, hay fever, colds, and flu. Raises blood pressure, cools fevers, and alleviates rheumatism.

St. John's Wort, Y Fendigedig (Welsh) (Hyperisum perforatum) is good for decreased vitality due to menopause. Its key actions are; antidepressant, antispasmodic, stimulates bile flow, astringent, sedative, relieves pain, antiviral. It is a tonic for the liver and gallbladder. Can cause sensitivity to sunlight, short-term drowsiness, and high blood pressure.

Bladderwrack, Kelp (Fucus vesiculosus) contains iodine (up to 0.1%) which may stimulate the thyroid gland. It appears to raise the metabolic rate by increasing harmone production by the thyroid gland. In one clinical trial (Italy 1976), patients taking bladderwrack lost much more weight than the control group. Do not take if pregnant or breast-feeding. If suffering from a thyroid illness, take only under professional supervision.

Jaborandi (Pilocarpus microphyllus or P. jaborandi) -- stimulates the excretory glands and increases all the secretions of the body (bronchial, nasal, mammary, salivary, and sweat). Taken internally it can be dangerous; it causes intense sweating and salivating (9-15 oz lost in sweat and 10-27 oz in saliva) and should be used with great care. It is possible to froth at the mouth to death. It will produce quick weight lose (body water) by dangerous perspriration and salivation. External use is safe.

Khat, Catha (Catha edulis) suppresses the appetite. Ephedrine-type alkaloids strongly stimulate the central nervous system. Khat produce an effect somewhat similar to that of coca leaves. Withdrawal can produce lethargy. In Africa, it is taken in old age, stimulating and improving mental function. Khat is used in Germany to counter obesity. Cautions: Khat may cause headaches, raised blood pressure, and general over-stimulation if used more than a few weeks at a time. Do not take during pregnancy.

Super Dieter's Tea, found in most grocery stores, suppresses the appetite and has a diuretic effect which purges the body through the intestinal tract.

Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) seed and nettle (Urtica dioica) leaves make a useful tea for weight loss. Use one teaspoon fennel seed and two teaspoons nettle leaves to three cups water. Do not exceed the recommended dose. Fennel is potentially toxic.

Burdock (Arctium lappa) root is used in the bath as a diaphoretic affecting both the oil and sweat glands.