Post date: Nov 8, 2017 9:12:58 PM
Posted by: Sara in Herbal Remedies April 27, 2014 18 Comments
Herbs are what are natural and you can very well take help of these herbs for weight loss. Have you ever thought why people in the past were not so bothered about getting fat? Why obesity was not a problem as it is today? From the time onwards when people started processing natural foods and leading life which lacks physical movements, they also started gaining weight. Even today if you talk to someone who has lost weight, you’ll be told of lots of herbs and natural foods along with exercises that had helped them in losing weight. So, why not you too know about the top herbs for weight loss. Only knowing is not enough. Act on this. Adopt these herbal remedies for weight loss and get in shape not instantly but with lasting effect!
Green tea is not only loaded with antioxidants but has thermo-genic properties within itself. Thermogenesis can be understood as the process of heat production in organisms including human beings. It increases consumption of energy and fat oxidation so you burn your body fat faster. Green tea also helps feel you full so that you don’t eat more than you need. Not only this, EGCG in green tea reduces the amount of fat that your body absorbs when you eat your food. This is not only helpful in your weight loss efforts but also in reducing your cholesterol level.
How to have green tea for weight loss?
Ginseng has long been used by Chinese medicine as a traditional medicine for energy, stamina, and overall well being. Modern researchers have also found ginseng to be effective for weight loss as well as diabetes control. One of the researches talks about ginseng’s ability to make body cells lesser capable of storing fat. Ginseng is an adaptogen, a substance which improves the body’s capability to cope with physical, emotional and environmental stress. You can find ginseng in fresh as well as dried form. While sometimes leaves of ginseng plant are also added with its root but the root is the most beneficial part of this plant. Ginseng can help you in two ways to lose weight. First, it will boost your metabolism wherein when you eat, you will store less fat as compared to when you don’t take ginseng. Secondly, ginseng will fill you with energy so that you remain more active and thus spend more calories.
Make ginseng tea for weight loss
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Guggul is an age old herbal medicine recommended by Ayurveda for various health conditions including weight loss. And what is more important is that modern studies have also supported the effect of guggul herb in weight loss. Guggul gum resin is extracted from the Commiphora mukul tree or the mukul myrrh tree. Gum guggul extract contains guggulsterone, a plant steroid which is thought to be anti-tumor, anti-angiogenic and cholesterol-lowering component. However, the weight loss effect of guggul comes from its activity on thyroid gland. Thyroid hormones are essential for exact metabolic rate which decides how much calories would you burn in a day. As guggul stimulates thyroid function, your metabolic rate comes to the optimum level and weight loss becomes easier and faster. The added advantages of guggul are lowered cholesterol levels and a good mood too. And because, it doesn’t stimulate your central nervous system, it is a safe herb for weight loss.
Ways to take guggul for weight loss
The beautiful flowers of Hibiscus are loaded with nutrients, flavonoids and various minerals. The amylase inhibitors in this herb help in lowering absorption of fats and carbohydrates. The fats and carbohydrates in your body are broken down by hibiscus so that they can be flushed out of body. Hibiscus flowers also have mild diuretic property s, which o that you shed water weight too and reduce your bloating. Your body gets added advantage of strengthened immunity due to the antioxidants present hibiscus.
Hibiscus tea can be served cold as well as hot. Cold hibiscus tea takes more time to be made than the hotter one.
Make cold hibiscus tea
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Make hot hibiscus tea
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Precaution: If you are a pregnant or nursing woman or taking some medication, consult your doctor before taking any herbal tea including hibiscus tea.
Yerba Mate is a traditional South American drink. It is in fact an infusion made with dried and aged yerba mate plant and which is drunk in social gatherings from a single gourd and bombilla. Due to its health benefits, this drink has come to be known as tea even when it has more similarities to coffee. Just as coffee can energize you due to its caffeine content, yerba mate can also fill you up with stamina again due to its caffeine. The difference is that yerba mate will also increase the rate at which your body burns calories. Apart from increasing your metabolic rate, yerba mate also gives you the benefits of different vitamins, minerals, amino acids and antioxidants. It also helps in slowing down your digestion so that you feel fuller for longer and consume less calories during the day. So, it makes sense to replace your morning coffee with yerba mate tea for weight loss!
How to make yerba mate tea for weight loss?
While socially a special gourd (also called a mate) and a bombilla (metal straw with a hollow filtered bottom) is used to infuse yerba mate and to drink it, you may use a French press (coffee press) to make your yerba mate tea. After all, you are not drinking yerba mate for social purpose but for very personal cause, for your weight loss!
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If this seems a lot to do, infuse your yerba mate in fillable teabags.
Getting its name from the village of Pu-erh in China where it was first cultivated 2000 years ago, this is yet another miraculous herb for weight loss. This Chinese tea stimulates your spleen and makes it healthy which can then digest and absorb food nutrients well along with flushing out excessive body fluid. It boosts your metabolism so that you can burn more fat and that too at faster rate.
Tips to drink Pu-erh tea for weight loss
How to make pu-erh tea?
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A research conducted in Canada has found a fat burning molecule in the very healthy grapefruit. A flavonoid is present in grapefruit which is called Naringenin. This component balances the blood sugar levels in your body and helps prevent metabolic syndrome which can make you fat. This can also give you diabetes. Another study in Ontario said that grapefruit makes liver burn up the excessive fat instead of storing it. So, when you include grapefruit in your diet not only will you prevent diabetes but will also lose weight.
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Precaution: If you are on medication, consult your doctor before taking grapefruit.
And now some secrets from Japan. Kelp seaweed is extensively used by Japanese in their diet and the quality health parameters of this part of the world is not unknown. They are definitely slimmer people. So what makes kelp one of the best herbs for weight loss! There are at least two reasons for this. First, kelp is one of the richest sources of iodine. Iodine can keep your thyroid gland stimulated so that your metabolism doesn’t go sluggish. A boosted metabolism means your body uses up the calories faster and better. Secondly, sea kelp has in it a compound called alginate. A research conducted at the Newcastle University found that alginate reduces the amount of fat your body absorbs. During the trial, the scientists used this seaweed in bread and concluded that even a small amount of it reduced people’s fat intake by about a third.
How to eat kelp for weight loss?
While you can always find kelp supplements, its better to have them raw and unprocessed. Include kelp in a variety of ways.
Precaution: While kelp is good for your thyroid and overall health, excessive consumption of this seaweed can make your thyroid overactive leading to various health concerns. Also, those having kidney problems should consult their doctors before incorporating kelp into their diet. Pregnant women and nursing mothers should take kelp under medical supervision.
Prickly pear is a cactus plant whose younger version is consumed mostly by Mexican and Mexican-Prickly pear cactus is traditionally used as medicine for diabetes, high cholesterol levels and certain other diseases including obesity. As for weight loss, prickly pear fruit is used which is sometimes also called Indian fig. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition has found high antioxidant levels in this fruit. When your blood sugar levels are controlled, you have low levels of bad cholesterol and get a good supply of antioxidants, you naturally tend to lose weight. Your steady blood sugar levels do not make you crave for sugary and starchy foods. Certain antioxidants too increase the rate of calorie burning and fat oxidation. You can find prickly pear fruits in the market that have already been cleared of their thorns. The whole fruit is high in fiber content which may help you with weight loss by making you feel full and moving your bowels to reduce water retention. However, you may also make prickly pear juice for your weight loss diet.
How to make prickly pear juice?
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Precaution: If you are taking diabetes medicines, consult your doctor first before having prickly pear. Pregnant and lactating mothers should also talk to their doctor.
Gurmar leaves have been long used by Ayurveda to treat various diseases including diabetes, obesity, kidney stones and enlargement of liver and spleen. It is one of the best digestive stimulant, diuretic and astringent herbs. ‘Gurmar’ term of Hindi language means ‘destroyer of sweetness.’ When you chew the leaves of gurmar, you will lose your ability to taste sweet for at least 4 hours. This herb when taken internally balances your sugar levels and also improves cholesterol and triglycerides levels. Some researches have indicated gymnemic acid in these leaves is responsible for the said positive effects. As this herb also reduces your sugar cravings, this can be a great herbal remedy for weight loss.
How to take gurmar for weight loss?
Traditionally, 6-12 grams of powdered gurmar leaves are taken. This equals 1 – ½ to 3 teaspoons roughly. However, if you are a diabetic and are already taking medicines, you must consult your doctor before taking gurmar leaves for weight loss. Its better to consult an Ayurvedic practitioner or medical herbalist before you start taking any herbs for weight loss.
Coleus forskohlii (Plectranthus barbatus), also known as Indian coleus, belongs to the mint family of herbs and is native to Southern Asia. It has been extensively used in Ayurvedic medicine since ancient times. The roots of coleus plant contain a compound known as forskolin. This component helps your body burn fat by stimulating thyroid function. Frskolin, in fact, stimulates adenylate cyclase in thyroid membranes which is responsible for regulating cells like ATP and cAMP. ATP gives you energy and cAMP is associated with adrenaline. When you take coleus forskohlii, you feel more energetic and lesser hungry. It is more useful for weight loss in men as it also increases testosterone hormone. This herb decreases both body fat and fat mass in men while increasing their lean body mass and bone mass. Many researches on men and women have proved that women tend to prevent weight gain and men tend to lose weight with this herb coleus forskohlii.
How to take coleus forskohlii for weight loss?
While coleus is used to make pickles and is a part of vegetarian diet, you may like to have this herb’s root extract for weight loss because root is the part which is medicinally beneficial for weight loss.
However, the whole root of the herb contains very little amount of forskolin and may not provide any therapeutic benefit. Get the one which contains 18 percent of forskolin. A typical dose of this herb includes 50 milligrams 2-3 times a day.
Precaution: consult your doctor before taking whatsoever herbs for weight loss, especially if you are under some medication or are a pregnant or nursing mother
From: http://www.rapidhomeremedies.com/remedies-for-weight-loss.html