5 Herbal Solutions: Lose Weight Naturally

Deb Mastrianna

The global weight management market reached 503.8 billion dollars in 2022 and is expected to reach 722.8 billion by 2028; and North America currently dominates that market. While there is a barrage of products flooding the market, the best resources are science-backed herbs that, when combined with a healthy lifestyle, can aid your weight loss goals naturally. Here are five herbs and a very special formula that offer an array of properties to help the weight loss process and provide healing properties for your overall wellbeing. 

Gymnema Sylvestre Leaf, aka Gurmar (Gymnema sylvestre)

Gymnema contains several compounds, such as glycosides and anthraquinones. The bioactive constituent of Gymnema is gymnemic acid, a sweetness inhibitor. This herb can reduce your appetite for sugar and help reduce blood sugar levels and is probably the reason it is a good weight management compound.  Structurally, gymnemic acids are similar to glucose and behave in the intestine in a similar way. When these acids lock into intestinal receptors, they effectively lock out glucose. 

The effect is twofold, first it helps to balance blood sugar, and secondly, it promotes lean body mass by lessening the amount of sugar that gets stored as fat. Gymnema can reduce fat deposits in the abdomen, waist, and hips. Sports players who struggle to avoid excess carbohydrates find Gymnema liquid herbal extract helpful. Gymnema Sylvestre may also offer hope for people suffering from binge eating disorders associated with obesity. 

It is interesting to note that Gymnema extracts are without side effects and exerts its blood sugar-lowering effects only in cases of diabetes. Gymnema extract, when given to healthy volunteers, does not produce any blood sugar lowering or hypoglycemic effects.

Gymnema helps reduce triglycerides and LDL (bad) cholesterol levels in people with diabetes. This is important, since high cholesterol, heart disease, obesity and Type-2 diabetes tend to occur in unison. A study of the herbal extract of Gymnema reports that its use may lead to a reduction in body mass index and weight.

Gymnema benefits are not permanent, the herbal tincture must be taken consistently over long periods of time to reap significant improvement. The suppression of sugar cravings may occur in the first week of supplementation or even immediately. The balancing of blood sugar and blood cholesterol generally takes place in 3 to 4 weeks.

Gymnema Sylvestre may be the answer if sugar cravings are holding you back from losing weight.

People with diabetes (Type 1 or Type 2) should use Gymnema only under the supervision of a physician. It is important to note that Gymnema should never be used in place of insulin. Gymnema can enhance the blood glucose lowering effects of insulin and hypoglycemic drugs and, thus, blood glucose levels. Therefore, blood glucose levels must always be monitored closely by a healthcare provider.

Curb Appetite & Trim Weight|Compound Formula

This formula may help you increase metabolism, improve gland support and help burn fat. This blend of herbs is high in nutrition. When taken consistently, this unique formula will help to decrease your food intake and naturally trim weight.  The ingredients include Hoodia gordonii 20:1 Pure Concentrate, Kelp-Atlantic (Ascophyllum nodosom), Bladderwrack (Fucus vesiculosis), Cleavers Leaf (Galium aparine), Alfalfa Leaf (Medicago sativa), Dandelion Root (Taraxacum officinale) , Licorice Root (Glycyrrhiza glabra), Cinnamon Bark (Cinnamomum cassia), White Willow Bark (Salix alba), and Chickweed Leaf (Stellaria media).  Learn more about their specific attributes by clicking on each link.

Dang Shen (Campanumaea pilosula)

Dang Shen is the Pin Yin (Chinese) herb with the common nickname “Poor Man’s Ginseng”. This is because the actual Ginseng was too expensive for some, and the Dang Shen offered similar benefits without the high cost. As an energy tonic, Dang Shen ginseng is often used to increase one’s qi, and as a result, one’s immunity may be increased, leading to overall health. This variety of Ginseng is often used as an aid in weight loss, and it works by increasing the metabolism and improving digestion, which can help change fat into muscle. Dang Shen, Codonopsis, has the similar but weaker efficacy compared to ginseng. It is thought to serve the whole body, boosting strength, increasing stamina and alertness, reducing stress and stimulating the appetite. Research has also shown that it increases red blood count and hemoglobin, and it is sometimes used for diabetes because it replenishes fluids. It may strengthen respiratory function and is often used for shortness of breath, and chronic cough. The herb has a pleasant, sweet taste to it, making it easy to tolerate.

Weight Loss Support w/Hoodia

In the quest to find a source for losing weight and fighting obesity, scientists have been looking for help anywhere they can to find it. It appears they may have found something from the ocean that may be a big help. Natural Product Insider points to seaweed or Kelp extract as a supplement ingredient that helps with fat loss, and it is supported by Japanese scientists.

Sea Kelp contains amino acids, essential fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals and it is a rich source of iron and iodine, which may help with weight loss. If you are deficient in iodine and producing insufficient thyroid hormones to regulate your metabolism, then using Kelp tincture will increase your hormone production and affect your metabolic rate. This automatically leads to weight loss even if you change nothing else in your life. Kelp’s vitamin and mineral content can improve modern diets that are deficient. Kelp may restore normal levels of these, which in turn helps to improve digestion and normalizes fluid balance.

Fennel Seed (Foeniculum vulgare)

Although it is sometimes thought to perk up a poor appetite, Fennel Seed may also help in weight loss programs. Fennel seed has been used successfully as both a metabolic enhancer and as a natural appetite suppressant. It is also considered to be a natural diuretic that can relieve bloating and aid in the reduction of water retention. Fennel seed extracts have an added benefit with regard to fat reduction in that it helps break up fat deposits in the bloodstream to be used as energy. By using energy sources, the body has already stored, can reduce the cravings for food consumption. By increasing energy levels, Fennel seed may help to prolong physical activity when exercising or working out. It is a good source of vitamin C, and the seeds contain fiber and complex carbohydrates.

Researchers at the University of Granada performed a study to show that melatonin is a natural hormone, so it has been used to regulate healthy sleep patterns, which also helps control weight gain.

Give your body a healthy benefit that doubles as an aid in losing weight. By combining these herbs with a healthy diet and regular exercise you can achieve the results you are looking for.