What are the medicinal plants for weight loss? And how to use them?
[Article updated: May 2020]
A weight loss process can be supplemented by certain natural remedies such as herbs to lose weight.
These herbs are generally marketed as easy-to-take food supplements. You can also find them in the form of essential oils.
However, you must carefully control the composition and dosage of the ingredients of the product you have chosen.
You must also choose your supplier to be sure of getting a quality product.
Plants have been used for a very long time for medicinal purposes.
Whether it is to cleanse and detoxify the body or to treat health complications, humans have always turned to nature to heal and take care of their health.
When it comes to weight loss, there are many weight loss plants that are usually used for their laxative and diuretic properties which allow them to eliminate toxins accumulated in the body.
Others are used for their appetite suppressant properties.
However, it should be borne in mind that some of these plants, which are natural, can interact with certain medications and can also have side effects.
For this reason, it is advisable to consult your doctor if you are taking any medication.
You should also read product labels carefully to check if you are allergic to any of the ingredients.
Pregnant or breastfeeding women must consult their doctor before using these plants in any form.
What are the plants to lose weight?
Plants for weight loss are classified according to their respective properties in several categories.
But to simplify things, we are going to classify them into 4 categories.
The lists of plants cited below are not exhaustive. They are provided for guidance.
- Slimming plants
These weight loss plants are mainly appetite suppressants and appetite suppressants.
They help eliminate the feeling of hunger and / and provide a feeling of satiety.
Some species work in the intestines by blocking or reducing the absorption of sugars, carbohydrates and fats.
Others work in the brain to suppress appetite.
In this category of plants for weight loss, we find the Hoodia Gordonii , a plant that has become very famous thanks to its appetite suppressant effect and its ability reduce cravings.
In this category we also find Yarrow ( Achillea millefolium ), Sweet flag ( Acorus calamus ), Agar-agar (extract of red algae), Motherwort ( Leonurus cardiaca ), Eurasian Agrimony ( Agrimonia eupatoria ),Garcinia cambogia ,… < / p>
- Diuretic plants
These weight loss plants are used to cleanse the body as part of a detox cure.
Their slimming effect results in a loss of water (and not fat). They are also used to combat the phenomenon of water retention.
This category contains dozens if not more species. Some can be easily added to daily meals.
Among the most famous diuretic plants we find:
- Abuta ( Cissampelos pareire ).
- Acanthus ( Acanthus ).
- Ache ( Apium graveolens ).
- Sweet flag ( Acorus calamus ).
- Adonis ( Adonis annua ).
- Lingonberry ( Vaccinium vitis-idaea ).
- Lady's mantle ( Alchemilla vulgaris ).
- Dill ( Anethum graveolens ).
- Artichoke ( Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus ).
- Asparagus ( Asparagus officinalis ).
- Sweet Woodruff or Sweet Gaillet ( Galium odoratum (L.) Scop.).
- Elecampane ( Inula helenium L. ).
- Cultivated oats ( Avena sativa L. ).
- Alkékenge berries ( Physalis alkekengi ).
- Burdock ( Arctium lappa) .
- Birch ( Betula ).
- Borage or Borage ( Borago officinalis L. ).
- Heather ( Calluna vulgaris ).
- Buglossus officinalis ( Anchusa officinalis ).
- Thorny Bugrane ( Ononis spinosa ).
- Bearberry or bearberry ( Arctostaphylos uva-ursi L. Spreng. ).
- Callune ( Calluna vulgaris L. ).
- Cranberry ( Vaccinium oxycoccos ).
- Celery ( Apium graveolens ).
- Quackgrass ( Elytrigia repens ).
- Watercress or Watercress ( Nasturtium officinale ).
- Cumin ( Cuminum cyminum ).
- Sweet fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill. ssp vulgare).
- Juniper (Juniperus communis L.).
- Laurel ( Laurus nobilis ).
- Lavender ( Lavandula ).
- May lily of the valley ( Convallaria majalis ).
- Bilberry ( Vaccinium myrtillus ).
- Onion ( Allium cepa ).
- Nettle ( Urtica ).
- Sorrel ( Rumex ).
- Parsley ( Petroselinum crispum ).
- Piloselle ( Hieracium pilosella L. ).
- Dandelion ( Taraxacum officinale ).
- Plantain ( Plantago major, Plantago lanceolata ).
- Leek ( Allium porrum ).
- Chickpea ( Cicer arietinum ).
- Cherry stems.
- Tea ( Camellia sinensis ).
- Depurative plants
These are plants usually used in detox cures that precede a weight loss program.
Some of these plants have depurative, diuretic and sometimes laxative properties.
Among the depurative plants, we find:
- Lingonberry ( Vaccinium vitis-idaea ).
- Sweet Woodruff or Sweet Gaillet ( Galium odoratum (L.) Scop. ).
- Artichoke ( Cynara scolymus ).
- Lime sapwood ( Tilia alburnum ).
- Alkékenge berries ( Physalis alkekengi ).
- Burdock ( Arctium lappa ).
- Boldo ( Pneumus boldus ).
- White birch ( Betula pubescens ).
- Bourdaine or Bourgène ( Frangula alnus ).
- Borage or Borage ( Borago officinalis L. ).
- Sour Orange or Bitter Orange ( Citrus aurantium L. ).
- Cranberry ( Vaccinium oxycoccos ).
- Blackcurrant ( Ribes nigrum ).
- Milk thistle ( Carduus marianus ).
- Wild chicory or Bitter chicory ( Cichorium intybus L. ).
- Cabbage ( Brassica oleracea ).
- Chrysanthellum ( Chrysantellum americanum ).
- Watercress or Watercress ( Nasturtium officinale ).
- Mountain Knapweed or Perennial Blueberry ( Centaurea montana L. ).
- Spinach ( Spinacia oleracea ).
- Fumitory ( Fumaria officinalis ).
- Ash ( Fraxinus ).
- Fucus ( Fucus ).
- Juniper ( Juniperus communis ).
- Garcinia cambogia.
- Germander ( Teucrium ).
- Griffonia simplicifolia ( syn. Bandeiraea simplicifolia Benth. ).
- Konjac ( Amorphophallus konjac ).
- White horehound or common horehound ( Marrubium vulgare ).
- Mints ( Mentha ).
- Orthosiphon ( Orthosiphon aristatus ).
- Nettle ( Urtica ).
- Sorrel ( Rumex ).
- Patience obtuse leaves ( Rumex obtusifolius L. ).
- Wild Pansy or Tricolor Pansy ( Viola tricolor ).
- Small knapweed ( Erythrea centaurea ).
- Piloselle ( Pilosella ).
- Dandelion ( Taraxacum officinale ).
- Plantain ( Plantago major, Plantago lanceolata ).
- Black radish ( Raphanus sativus var. niger ).
- Rosemary ( Rosmarinus officinalis ).
- Sarsaparilla or European Sarsaparilla ( Smilax aspera L. ).
- Cultivated salsify ( Tragopogon porrifolius ).
- Santoline ( Santolina ).
- Sage ( Salvia officinalis ).
- Scabiosa ( Scabiosa ).
- Solidage goldenrod ( Solidago virga aurea L. ).
- Elderberry ( Sambuccus ).
- Tea ( Camellia sinensis ).
- Water clover ( Menyanthes trifoliata ).
- Goldenrod ( Solidago virga aurea ).
- Yerba mate ( Ilex paraguariensis ).
- Laxative plants
Their prolonged use over time is strongly discouraged due to the lack of essential vitamins and nutrients that they can cause over time.
Their controlled use helps regularize and soften the stool and promote intestinal transit.
According to many experts, using these kinds of herbs for weight loss can be very bad for your health.
And even if many people claim to have lost weight using them, you should know that this weight loss is actually a loss of water and minerals, but not of fat.
The misuse of these plants can also lead to dehydration of the body, weakening of the intestines and possibly metabolic disorders due to deficiencies.
Here are the most famous laxative plants (to be used with caution and at short notice to avoid any risk):
- Sweet Woodruff or Sweet Gaillet ( Galium odoratum (L.) Scop.).
- Swiss chard, chard or Swiss chard ( Beta vulgaris ).
- Bourdaine or Bourgène ( Frangula alnus ).
- Wild chicory or Bitter chicory ( Cichorium intybus L. ).
- Spinach ( Spinacia oleracea ).
- Marshmallow ( Althaea officinalis L. ).
- Hedge bindweed ( Calystegia sepium ).
- White mustard ( Sinapis alba ).
- Sorrel ( Rumex ).
- Wild Pansy or Tricolor Pansy ( Viola tricolor ).
- Dandelion ( Taraxacum officinale ).
- Plantain ( Plantago major, Plantago lanceolata ).
- Purslane, Market purslane or Porcelain ( Portulaca oleracea ).
- Senna ( Senna alexandrina ).
- Sweet violet ( Viola odorata ).
How to use plants to lose weight?
These plants can be consumed in different ways as needed.
Usually, they are consumed in their raw state as herbal tea. They can also be consumed in the form of essential oils (infusion) or in the form of pills (food supplement).
To use them in their raw state, it is necessary to master the dosage, preparation and duration of treatment.
And since this is a difficult thing, it is best to get them "ready to use" from specialist stores or online and follow the manufacturer's instructions.
Some of these plants can be toxic or can cause unpleasant effects, even harmful if consumed in high doses.
One last word…
Plants have many health benefits. They can cure many diseases, prevent others, and can also keep the body healthy.
However, their use should be supervised by a professional if you decide to use them in the raw state.
In addition to the side effects and risks associated with overdose, they may interact with certain medications.
If you opt for herbal products that are commercially available, always try to read the labels carefully before purchasing your product.
Sometimes some products offer a composition made from a mixture of unnecessary or artificial ingredients.
Plants that have diuretic, depurative or laxative properties should be used with caution and at short notice to avoid any risk of deficiency of nutrients essential for the proper functioning of the body.
As for the so-called weight loss plants that act on the appetite, their use is not dangerous provided you choose your source carefully and follow the recommended dosage.