Hoodia gordonii is a succulent that grows in the arid regions of South Africa and Namibia. It is a leafless plant that has spines along with natural modifications, to reduce water loss. It is commonly called the Bushman’s Hat and has medicinal importance in the tribal cultures of Botswana, South Africa, Namibia, etc.
The organic Hoodia gordonii powder has a suppressant that increases its utility in weight loss. Although the plant does not have any leaves, it has flowers that smell like rotten meat and are air pollinated.
Cultivation
The locals say that it is easy to cultivate the plant. However, all Hoodia species take approximately five years to mature.
Besides, the Hoodia gordonii plant is prone to diseases like root rot, which can be caused by the lack of water and fresh air. The sowing season is between March and April. The use of organic fertilizers enhances the growth rate.
Medicinal Uses
The local communities and tribes living in Southern parts of Africa, like the Namib community, use the plant for its medicinal effects on the digestive system. The tribals believe that it can cure indigestion and promote gastric emptying for easy passage of stools. Several pharma companies use the Hoodia gordonii plant extract in making CBD oils for constipation.
Traditionally, the bushmen of the San community in Botswana sucked the fresh or dried Hoodia gordonii plant to combat hunger and thirst in the desert when they went hunting.
In recent research, it was found that the Hoodia gordonii powder can be useful in treating flu and its associated symptoms. However, the health and safety readings regarding the use of the Hoodia gordonii powder, in this case, are not very elaborate.
How it Emerged as an Appetite Suppressant
Not just the Hoodia gordonii plant, but the whole Hoodia genus became popular when a marketing company advertised that a powder made from the Hoodia plant species tends to suppress the urge to eat and therefore, can be instrumental for weight loss. However, some people questioned the company, as no research could prove that their claim was authentic.
Since weight loss programs have always been a successful business idea, pharma companies started threatening the locals and went on collecting the Hoodia species arbitrarily, to sell it in the market.
In the late 1970s, research in CSIR, South Africa revealed that there was a specific ingredient in Hoodia gordonii plants that could suppress satiety. They named it P57, and after patenting, the Government gave the rights to a British company to use the Hoodia plants sustainably to extract the ingredient and sell it as an appetite suppressant. In the early 2000’s, the pharma company started selling it as Hoodia gordonii powder.
However, over the years, several researchers said that the Hoodia gordonii powder has negative effects on the liver. Still, the demand for the powder as an appetite suppressant kept increasing.
Several other uses of Hoodia species are known to us now. New products, like CBD vape juice containing Hoodia extracts, are now available in the market.
Conclusion
While there is enough evidence to support the claim that the Hoodia gordonii powder is an appetite suppressant that can help in weight loss, its dosage is very crucial to obtain the effect. Consult a physician before consuming the powder.
Moreover, all researchers suggest that pregnancy, lactation, mental disorders, etc. are absolute contraindications for the consumption of the Hoodia gordonii powder.