| The Chinese have used herbs for medicinal | | | | saliva. It also stimulates digestion and can help |
| purposes for over 4000 years. Today, the | | | | accelerate the metabolism at a safe level. |
| medical community, who once shunned the use of | | | | Green Tea: Green tea is a natural stimulant that |
| herbs for medicinal purposes, is starting to take | | | | acts much like coffee, but has the added benefit |
| notice of the benefits of using herbs. Herbs are | | | | of vitamin C and antioxidants. By steeping the tea |
| nutritionally sound and can offer a healthy, natural | | | | quickly or for a longer period of time, it is possible |
| alternative to nourish and heal the body. Herbs | | | | to control the strength of the tea. Green tea is |
| can also give the body the nutrients that the | | | | available as a capsule formula, but works better in |
| body does not always get through a regular diet. | | | | the body as a liquid. |
| Herbs can include leaves, bark, berries, roots, | | | | Evening Primrose: This herb has been shown to |
| seeds, stems, gums and flowers. They can also | | | | be effective as a natural alternative to help |
| come in many forms including tablets, capsules, | | | | reduce cholesterol levels and help people who do |
| bark pieces, powders, extracts, creams, lotions, | | | | not process fats correctly loose weight. |
| oils, liquids and salves. When buying herbs of any | | | | Seaweed: Seaweed is a good natural source of |
| kind, it is important to look for the word | | | | trace mineral and is a natural thyroid stimulant. It |
| "standardized" on the label. Because most herbs | | | | is widely available in capsule or tablets forms at |
| are not FDA approved, the label on herbs | | | | many health food stores. |
| provides important safety and dosage information. | | | | Psyllium: Studies show that the granules of these |
| When purchasing herbs you should look for | | | | seeds consumed with water before a meal helps |
| freshness. Those that are loose and sold in bulk | | | | control the appetite. This herb causes an instant |
| have almost no nutritional value. Instead opt for | | | | reduction of appetite by making the stomach feel |
| freeze-dried over air-dried herbs. | | | | full. The full feeling leads to less caloric and fat |
| Herbs have always been used as a weight loss | | | | consumption. |
| remedy. There are many herbs that can be used | | | | Queen's Flower: Queen's flower has been shown |
| both safely and efficiently to suppress appetite | | | | to be one of the most effective plant used in |
| and help control weight loss. For people need or | | | | alternative weight control and diabetes. |
| want to shed a few pounds but who already eat | | | | Herbs can be taken in using different methods. |
| healthy and participate in regular exercise, adding | | | | Infusion involves using the soft part of the herb |
| natural herbs to the diet can help aid in weight | | | | plant including the leaves, flowers, and the whole |
| control. Herbs may not be a good choice for | | | | herb. Infusion of herbs is much like tea is made. |
| those seeking to loose a lot of weight in a short | | | | Boiling water is poured over the plant and allowed |
| amount of time. Some herbs do have side | | | | to steep. Then liquid is then strained and the liquid |
| effects and some should be taken carefully. As | | | | is consumed. Honey may be added to the infusion |
| with any weight loss program or diet, caution | | | | liquid to improve the bitter taste. With decoction, |
| should be used and it should be used in | | | | the tough part of the plant-the bark, root, twig |
| conjunction with regular diet and exercise. The | | | | and stem are simmered for about thirty minutes |
| following are good starters to help you curb your | | | | and then consumed. |
| appetite with herbs. | | | | Juice can also be made using small pieces of the |
| Brazilian Cocoa: This herb is almost identical to | | | | herb. The juice is taken right after it is made |
| caffeine. Both stimulate the central nervous | | | | because the vitamin content declines rapidly. This |
| system and increases metabolic rate. Brazilian | | | | method works well for getting vitamins and are |
| Cocoa has a very mild diuretic effect. The side | | | | sensitive to heat. Tinctures are often considered |
| effect of this herb is that is also similar to | | | | the best way to take herbal supplements. It is a |
| caffeine. When taken in excess, it can cause | | | | good way to take well-preserved herbs. During |
| restlessness, trembling, nervousness and anxiety. | | | | this method, the herb is soaked in alcohol or a |
| Cayenne: Cayenne pepper when added to food | | | | water mixture. The mixture is pressed and this |
| can help stimulate capsaicin, which stimulates | | | | makes the tincture. |