The perfect gift for you and your loved ones. Learn more.
The 6 Best Herbs for Rapid Weight Loss
October 18, 2023
Are you looking for herbs to help you lose weight and dehydrate naturally? Have you tried everything but can't find the right one for you?
Don't worry, there are some herbs that can help you lose excess pounds and combat swelling.
Here are the 6 most effective plants that help you lose weight
Herbs are generally safe natural tools that can be used in conjunction with specific behaviors.
Natural weight loss products can be divided into four main categories: diuretics, stimulants, herbs high in mucilage and fiber, and plants that accelerate metabolism.
Moringa is a plant that originally comes from the sub-Himalayan region and has been used in traditional Indian and Nepalese medicine for thousands of years.
In recent years, moringa has also been used in Europe and can be found in facial creams, hair lotions and, above all, weight loss supplements.
Its leaves can even be consumed directly, for example in salads or other recipes.
Moringa contains various vitamins: It provides vitamins A and C, as well as calcium and proteins.
In addition, it helps keep blood sugar levels stable and combats water retention by eliminating toxins that accumulate in the deeper layers of the skin.
Moringa fiber for weight loss
Moringa fiber helps in losing excess pounds as it is able to limit appetite and reduce the absorption of fat by the intestines by unlocking lipid metabolism (1).
Additionally, the moringa seeds in the plant's pods have been found to contain high amounts of oleic acid, which promotes the excretion of saturated fats common in processed foods and junk food.
As already mentioned, this plant is able to stimulate metabolism and improve digestion.
There are various studies that support Moringa's diminishing abilities.
According to a 2014 study of severely obese rats, most animals showed significant weight loss within just 50 days of taking moringa daily.
At the same time, a marked increase in body temperature was noted due to the thermogenic effect of the extract, which accelerates metabolism.
Finally, lowering cholesterol should not be underestimated, as obesity and cholesterol are often two sides of the same coin.
Dandelion: a natural bitter plant for weight loss
The common dandelion (scientific name Taraxacum officinale) is a plant from the Asteraceae family and is one of the best natural herbs for weight loss.
Its medicinal properties have been known since ancient times and among the Native Americans. It also grows in Italy, especially in fallow land, meadows and prefers open spaces and a temperate climate.
The bioactive substances of dandelion, as a weight loss herb, manifest themselves primarily in its digestive functions. It contains high amounts of vitamins (B1, B2, C, E), flavonoids, triterpenes and taraxacosides, which together promote detoxification of the body, inhibit the feeling of hunger and support the intestines in detoxification. Mainly the roots and leaves are used, as well as flowers for tea and infusions.
Dandelion: Detoxifies the liver of fats and inhibits the feeling of hunger
The phytosterols contained in dandelion are used to lower cholesterol levels. Another property of this medicinal plant is the stimulation of diuresis and mild laxative properties that can be useful in cases of constipation.
With its bitter taste, the main effects are aimed at detoxifying the liver of fats while strengthening the immune system due to its diverse nutrients. It also contains minerals such as magnesium, potassium, phosphorus and sodium.
Due to its detoxifying properties, dandelion is often recommended by nutritionists in diets, also due to its ability to inhibit the feeling of hunger and help lose weight.
Contraindications include the risk of producing gastric hyperacidity in peptic ulcer disease; it should also be avoided if you have diabetes or kidney failure.
Before regularly incorporating dandelion into your diet (remember that it can also be eaten fresh in salads or pan-fried - there are various regional recipes, for example from Piedmont and Liguria, that use dandelion), it is important always seek medical advice.
Herbs for weight loss during menopause: Cimicifuga
Particularly suitable for weight control during menopause is Cimicifuga, which is known by the Native Americans to combat typical symptoms of this phase (hot flashes, mood swings, tendency to gain weight).
In gynecology, Actaea racemosa is also known as 'ladyweed'. Cimicifuga rubifolia contains phytoestrogens, especially formononetin, which has diuretic, sedative and estrogenic effects.
In addition, the triterpenic glycosides it contains have inhibitory properties against animal cholesterol and are actually used in drugs to treat hypercholesterolemia.
Learn more about the benefits and contraindications of Cimicifuga during menopause.
Fucus for weight loss
Fucus is one of the most widely used natural weight loss products around.
It is a brown algae up to two meters high, dark green in color, and has a suction cup-like foot that allows it to cling to rocks.
It belongs to the Fucaceae family and is rich in minerals, vitamin C and carotenoids.
The active ingredients are extracted directly from its leaves where they are concentrated:
Inorganic and protein iodine;
vitamins;
minerals;
Potassium; Carbohydrates;
alginic acid;
bromophenols;
carotenoids and ascorbic acid.
Fucus is mainly used as a stimulant of the basal metabolic rate.
It is particularly useful in cases of obesity and is therefore widely used in weight loss products as it creates a deep feeling of satiety by forming a kind of gel in the stomach.
The dry extract is used in common preparations, the dosage of which is between 500 and 900 milligrams per day.
In addition to its diminishing abilities, Fucus, or brown algae, also has other pharmacological peculiarities, including:
gastric protective and antiulcer effects;
Antidiabetic properties (thanks to its ability to significantly reduce blood sugar levels and blood triglyceride levels); Anticoagulant;
antiviral;
Antibacterial (very effective against infections with Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia Coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa); Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant.
Hauhechel
Pilosella officinarum is a plant from the Asteraceae family.
It comes from North Africa and Asia and has also been native to Italy for centuries, but only in recent years has it become known for its slimming properties and is one of the most sought-after natural weight loss products, both in pharmacies and on the Internet.
In our country it grows spontaneously above a certain height.
It is easy to recognize thanks to its orange-yellow petals with a slight hairiness, which gives it its name.
This plant was used in ancient times as a means of cleansing the body. In modern times, their use has also expanded to aesthetic applications thanks to their ability to reduce the effects of cellulite.
In herbalism, Pilosella is valued for its anti-inflammatory, antibiotic, diuretic and diuretic properties. These are reflected in their pronounced ability to stimulate the kidneys to excrete chlorine, sodium, nitrogen waste and uric acid.
But its effectiveness doesn't end there as it is also a perfect remedy for constipation and water retention. This makes it a perfect plant species for those who want to get rid of excess toxins and follow a detoxifying diet.
Pilosella is rich in antioxidants (it contains significant amounts of flavonoids and polyphenols) and is therefore useful for preventing premature skin aging.
In terms of nutrition, Pilosella has an intense diuretic effect, promoting diuresis and combating water retention and cellulite.
juniper
Juniper is a fairly common plant. It grows mainly in the mountains and in chalky areas where water is scarce.
The juniper berries are used not only for the production of spirits or balms, but also in cosmetics, due to their pronounced beneficial properties.
The berries, when chewed for example, can improve digestion.
Juniper also has antiseptic properties, making it a natural disinfectant for the urinary and respiratory tract.
But the most famous property of this plant is undoubtedly its ability to stimulate diuresis, which facilitates the elimination of toxins from the body and promotes fluid drainage.
Thanks to this effect, juniper is very useful in the fight against cellulite and water retention and for improving the appearance of the thighs and buttocks.
Juniper is available in herbal medicine and pharmacies in the form of dried berries, dietary supplements, oils and creams. The dried berries can be used to prepare diuretic teas, decoctions and infusions, always taking into account the amounts recommended by the doctor or pharmacist
ginseng
The last plant on our list of the 6 most effective plants for weight loss is undoubtedly ginseng, which has been used for centuries in Asia and the Americas.
Its main health benefits include the pronounced slimming effect and the ability to reduce bad cholesterol and blood sugar.
In addition, it can stimulate the immune system and support memory.
When combined with regular physical activity and a balanced diet, ginseng can be an excellent ally in weight loss.
This medicinal plant supports weight loss due to two different effects: It can speed up metabolism (and helps the body burn excess calories).
It allows the body to replace fat mass with lean tissue thanks to its excellent stimulating effect, which is particularly evident during strength and endurance training sessions.
Ginseng can provide necessary energy even during longer low-calorie diets without forcing those taking it to consume more calories.