When it comes to weight loss supplements, one of the most popular ingredients these days is Hoodia. This plant is only one genus of 13 species in Apocynaceae, a flowering plant family that falls under the subfamily of Asclepiadoideae. Many people have the notion that this particular plant is a type of cactus. On the contrary, it is actually a stem succulent described only as a cactiform, in respect to its uncanny resemblance to the cactus plant itself. Known as “Queen of the Namib” and “Bushmen’s Hat,” a great number of the species can be found in the Namib Desert and in the plains and rocky areas of Central Namibia up to South Angola.

After scientists learned that Hoodia is being used in said places as an alternative medicine for the reduction of hunger and thirst during long travels and hunts, particularly by the Kalahari Bushmen, further research was immediately conducted. In the West, specifically in the United States, continuous studies are being made on a variety of herbs in a collective attempt to fight the growing cases of obesity. Today, the plant is marketed worldwide as an appetite suppressant that can help people achieve weight loss without resorting to harmful chemicals and invasive procedures.

There are many weight loss pills that use Hoodia as their primary ingredient. However, one must be cautious in choosing the right supplement. While it is good to read reviews from actual users and compare prices, the best thing interested parties can do to protect themselves from adverse effects to their health, as well as from the heartbreaking disappointment that ineffective products bring, is to consult their doctor before using any weight loss supplement.

Updated: April 23, 2010.