Is there are herbal cure for being overweight?
The editor instructed me to submit an article on the herbs that allegedly make one slimmer. We are now about to enter the world of snake oil and multi-million dollar alchemy. A few years ago when I had a shop in the Chrysalionotissa Craft Centre there came a succession of well-fed women seeking the ‘slimmers herb’. It transpired that some of their number had recently holidayed on Crete and returned with the certain knowledge that consuming this particular herb in tea form would strip away the kilos and they would soon be shopping for a size ten dress. Those wily Cretans, if their herbs don’t make you thin, they will transform your sex life. “Its called Louisa,” they cried in chorus. A nice name, but not one that chimes botanically. “Are we referring to Aloysia?” It apparently tasted of lemon. The very same, they agreed. I felt obliged to explain that as far as I knew, the herb, which is now known as Lippia citriodora, acts as a tonic on the nervous system and will lift the spirits as well as sooth abdominal discomfort, but was unaware of its slimming properties, but I did have a lot of it. They bought every packet I had and sent a succession of friends to buy more. The slimming craze lasted about six months and with every purchase I explained that the plant would have no effect on weight loss, but it didn’t make the slightest difference.
So-called slimming herbs fall into the following categories; diuretics, laxatives, appetite suppressants, metabolic boosters and any number of mystical preparations that the Chinese and Indian producers visit on the remedy-hungry obese Western markets.
The following is an example of the main constituents in one of the most popular ‘slimmers’ teas’: Senna, Cascara, Aloe, Rhubarb and Buckthorn. The first four are laxatives and the Sea Buckthorn is a cure for diarrheoa. The directions on the packet state… ‘you may feel a mild bowel movement’. Surprise, surprise. The use of laxatives and purges to ensure weight loss was common practice among jockeys and boxers.
Cricketers may recall the situation that led to the ban on Shane Warne, the Australian spinner, who showed traces of a banned drug in his blood when tested. He claimed that it was taken to accelerate weight loss – it was a synthetic diuretic. A diuretic is an agent that increases the flow of urine from the kidneys, encouraging the excretion of excess fluids from the body. The problem with the high use of diuretics as a slimming aid is that they tend to strip away potassium. This may lead to short-term weight loss but will create long-term health problems. The safest herbal diuretic is dandelion root, which will actually replace potassium.
Here is a list of herbs that are incorporated into herbal slimming teas:
Capsicum increases metabolic rate by 25%
Pineapple contains enzymes that digest proteins and fat
Siberian ginseng stabilises blood sugar and reduces craving, increases energy
Chickweed mild laxative
Fennugreek dissolves fat from liver
Green tea encourages body to burn fat
Kelp boosts metabolism
Evening primrose source of trytophan which is believed to promote weight loss
Guarana believed to aid weight loss
Tamarind contains Hydroxcitric acid, a supposed lipogenic inhibitor in rats
Guggul Ayervedic weight controller
Fennel removes fat and mucus from bowels
Liquorice laxative, suppresses desire for liquids and sugar
Khat appetite suppressant
Coca similar
Note of caution. In the early nineties an unusually high level of kidney failure was detected among young women undergoing a course of slimming treatment at Chinese clinics in England and Belgium. It transpired that they were being prescribed herbal teas from China that contained a banned substance that did promote weight loss, but destroyed the kidneys.
Three herbs that regularly feature in weight-loss preparations that have only recently caused concern among MCAs (Medicine Control Agencies) are Ephedra, Germander, and Senna. All three have contributed to fatalities. I will spare you the thermogenic effect relating to MCTs and LCTs, just remember to engage in sensible eating and regular exercise.
Next week Yew
