Hoodia Some Interesting Facts

Hoodia is the newest diet supplement, gaining attention as a powerful natural weapon in the struggle against obesity. However, because it is so new (introduced to the markets in 2004), there is probably a lot that you don't know about it. Here are some facts about hoodia that one should know:

Hoodia can take up to thirty minutes to work, but when it is working there is a slightly euphoric feeling. It is characterized by virtually eliminating the need to eat and drink. This is so effective that users of hoodia are told to make sure that they eat normal meals, and to definitely make sure that they drink. There are no known side effects, but the long-term effects are unknown due to the limited number of people that need to use it long-term. Oh, and make sure that you eat it with something else; the texture is like cucumbers, but the taste is rather off-putting.

Hoodia gordonii resembles like a cactus and feels like a cactus, but actually it is a succulent from Kalahari Desert of southern Africa. It's not a drug, but a herb. It was first described by a Dutch anthropologist after observing a tribe of Bushmen, and noting that they used the herb whenever they went hunting. However, it wasn't really looked at closely until the 1960's, when it there was curiosity about which plants and animals the Bushmen ate, especially given the general toxicity of their environs (there is a lot of salt in the groundwater and on the surface, which is far above the normal amount that most people would be able to stand before becoming sick). Eventually, the patent of the molecule discovered (P57) would be sold to Phytopharm in order to be exploited. A number of businesses sell the hoodia plant within the supply limits, which are enforced by South African law in order to prevent over-harvesting of the plant.

Recently, a plant that looks like hoodia was being harvested in order to take advantage of those looking for actual hoodia. This makes hoodia one of the most copied herbs, as scammers have used a number of different cons. Not only have they taken advantage of the fact that only gordonii has the suppressant qualities dieters are looking for (there are nineteen other varieties which are sold as hoodia, and they are, but are virtually of no use to dieters). There are also powders, liquids, and other applications that are said to contain P57, but few of these actually have P57. In essence, if it doesn't have “Phytopharm” or Unilever on it, it probably isn't hoodia gordonii or contain P57.

Although hoodia has a very specific use, that use is very effective, virtually ensuring that hoodia will be with us for years to come!