Garcinia Cambogia has been said to be a key herbal supplement to aid in weight loss. Advertised as being the perfect diet supplement, Garcinia Cambogia is both an appetite suppression as well as a metabolism booster. This herb reduces blood fat levels and increase metabolism and energy.
How Garcinia Cambogia works
- Garcinia Cambogia works by blocking lipogenesis or conversion of starches and sugars (Excess of Carbohydrates) into fat that is stored and increases our weight.
- It promotes the oxidation of lipids and spares carbohydrates. This action will result in lower blood levels of cholesterol and lipid i.e. a better lipid profile.
- The glucose or its stored form glycogen is promoted. As excess of glucose is spared from conversion to fat, this excess glucose is mediated by gluconeogenesis pathway to form glycogen.
- Glycogen signals the brain satiety center that sufficient food has been taken. So glycogen production with this herb further suppresses appetite.
- It relieves hunger pains, or become an appetite suppressant, through increasing the levels of Serotonin, which acts a signal telling the body it is full, which results in weight loss, or weight control.
- It promotes thermogenesis process i.e. body's production of heat. This burns more calories and excess of stored fat.
- Astringent
- Rheumatism
- Bowel complaints
- Piles
- Bilious affections
- Antioxidant
- Anticatarrhal
- Demulcent
- Thermogenic
- Cardiotonic
- Anti-Cancer
- Edema
- Intestinal Parasites or Antihelminthic
- Constipation
- Delayed menstruation
Garcinia cambogia extract is found to increase the mucosal defensive mechanisms in stomach and thereby it is helpful as a protective agent against Gastric ulcers. The rats that were pretreated with this herbal supplement was found with decreased acidity and increased mucosal protective factors.
Poria cocos Fu Ling / Poria mushroom filaments have been widely used as a Chinese traditional herbal medicine for centuries for amnesia, anxiety, restlessness, fatigue, tension, nervousness, dizziness, dysuria and urination problems, edema, insomnia, splenitis, stomach problems, diarrhea, tumors, and as an antitussive. In herbal combinations, poria filaments have been used as a component of various herbal combinations for treating diarrhea, chronic glomerulonephritis, tinnitus, and for decreasing upper gastrointestinal tract bleeding.
Historically Poria Cocos has been used as a sedative and diuretic. One lab study indicates Poria Cocos has anti-leukemia activity. Another shows Poria Cocos has anti-inflammatory activity that may be useful in inflammatory skin conditions such as psoriasis. Poria cocos hay have anti-tumor potential, for instance against sarcoma. It lowers blood sugar.
Trigonella foenum-graecum Research has shown that the seeds can inhibit cancer of the liver, lower blood cholesterol levels and also have an antidiabetic effect. The seed and leaves are anti-cholesterolemic, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, carminative, demulcent, emollient, expectorant, febrifuge, restorative and uterine tonic.
The trigonella foenum-graecum seed yields a strong mucilage and is therefore useful in the treatment of inflammation and ulcers of the stomach and intestines. Taken internally, a decoction of the ground seeds serves to drain off the sweat ducts. The seed is very nourishing and body-building and is one of the most efficacious tonics in cases of physical debility caused by anemia or by infectious diseases, especially where a nervous factor is involved. It is also used in the treatment of late-onset diabetes, poor digestion (especially in convalescence), insufficient lactation, painful menstruation, labour pains etc. The seeds freshen bad breath and restore a dulled sense of taste. Externally, the seeds can be ground into a powder and used as a poultice for abscesses, boils, ulcers, burns etc, or they can be used as a douche for excessive vaginal discharge. The leaves are harvested in the growing season and can be used fresh or dried. The seeds are harvested when fully ripe and dried for later use. Compounds extracted from the plant have shown cardio-tonic, hypo-glycaemic, diuretic, anti-phlogistic and hypotensive activity.
One of its constituent alkaloids, called 'trigonelline', has shown potential for use in cancer therapy. The seed contains the saponin diosgenin, an important substance in the synthesis of oral contraceptives and sex hormones, whilst saponins in the plant have been extracted for use in various other pharmaceutical products.
Coleus forskohli
(Solenostemon scutellarioides) Coleus helps the body achieve a higher ratio of lean muscle to fat. Coleus also stimulates the action of the enzyme lipase, an important compound our bodies use to break down triglycerides, the building blocks of fat. Coleus forskohlii also aids insulin production, helping you to metabolize carbohydrates, so the sugars and starches you eat don't wind up on your hips.
Forskolin is a chemical found in the coleus herb that activates the enzyme adenylate cyclase. Andenylate cyclase compound initiates a myriad of critical events and processes within all the cells of the human body. Adenylate cyclase and the chemicals it activates are responsible for executing a number of important hormonal processes. Stimulation that is caused by forskolin supposedly leads to blood vessel dilation, inhibition of allergic reactions, and possibly an increased secretion of thyroid hormone. Forskolin has other reported uses as well, including inhibition of the pro-inflammatory substance known as platelet-activating factor (PAF) 6 and inhibition of the spread of cancer cells.
Some studies in humans have shown that direct application of a special preparation of forskolin to the eyes lowers eye pressure, whereby decreasing the risk of glaucoma. Direct application of the whole herb to the eyes has not been studied and is not recommended by any known medical professionals.
It has been reported that forskolin may also assist in dilating blood vessels and improving the forcefulness with which the heart pumps blood. Some studies have indicated that forskolin may help to reduce blood pressure and improved heart function in people with cardiomyopathy. However, there is no clear evidence as to whether or not oral supplementation with coleus extracts would be an efficient way of taking this herb. One study did find evidence that inhaling forskolin could decrease lung spasms for people with asthma.
Alfalfa
Alfalfa is one of the earliest cultivated plants, used for centuries for feeding livestock. This probably is true in part because it is easy to grow, thrives in many varied climates throughout the world, and provides an excellent protein-rich food source for cattle, horses, sheep, and other animals. The name alfalfa comes from the Arabian al-fac-facah , for "father of all foods." 1 Its high protein content and abundant stores of vitamins make it a good nutritional source for humans, too. Historic (but undocumented) medicinal uses of alfalfa include treatment of stomach upset, arthritis, bladder and kidney problems, boils, and irregular menstruation.
Therapeutic Uses
Alfalfa is high in vitamin content, providing beta-carotene , various B-vitamins , and vitamins C , E , and K , and can be used as a nutritional supplement. Numerous animal studies 4-15 and preliminary human trials 16,17,18 indicate that extracts from alfalfa seeds, leaves, and roots might be helpful for lowering cholesterol levels.
Studies using mice to investigate alfalfa's traditional use for diabetes found that it improved some symptoms.
Alfalfa has also been investigated in the laboratory (but not yet evaluated in people) as a source of plant estrogens, which might make it helpful for menopause . 21,22,23 Alfalfa may also have some use in fighting fungi. 24,25,26 Rats fed a disease-causing fungus were able to eliminate more of the fungus from their systems when fed a diet high in alfalfa. It has been suggested that one of the saponins from alfalfa causes damage to the cell membranes of fungi.
Finally, alfalfa has been proposed as a treatment for hay fever.
Marumi Kumquat
(Fortunella japonica) The word Kumkwat is generally taken to refer to the small fruits ( also referred to as kinkan) of the Kumquat tree, an evergreen that typically grows up to ten feet in height, although this may vary. It belongs to the genus fortunella.
The round kumquat is a globose golden-orange fruit. The pulp is acidic, but the rind is sweet. The fruit, when eaten fresh, is thus eaten with its peel. Like other kumquats, this fruit is rich in vitamins A and C, and contains good levels of pectin, and is often transformed into marmalades.
The plant is antiphlogistic, antivinous, carminative, deodorant, stimulant. The leaves and fruit contain an essential oil, whilst the fruit also contains sugars and organic acids. The fresh fruit is antitussive and expectorant - in Vietnam it is steamed with sugar candy and used in the treatment of sore throats. It is said to be very good for infants.
Medicinal Uses: Antiphlogistic; Antivinous; Carminative; Deodorant; Stimulant.
Porphyra
(Nori) Porphyra, commonly know as nori, is the most widely consumed seaweed in the world! It's commonly found in Asian food, especially Japanese food, which has lead to the huge nori industry in Japan.
Porphyra contains significant amounts of protein, vitamins and minerals. The vitamin C content of nori, or prepared Porphyra, is greater than in raw oranges. The vitamin A content is comparable to that spinach, along with fairly high amounts of vitamin B in general. The amount of free and proteinaceous amino acids in nori are roughly similar to that of vegetables. Porphyra also contains a high amount of arginine, a basic amino acid which is generally found in animal protein. In nori, the characteristic taste is a result of the coexistence of relatively large amounts of alanine, glutamic acid and glycine. It also contains an abundant amount of taurine which is know to be effective for liver activity, especially in preventing the occurence of gallstone disease and for controlling blood cholesterol levels. Nori also contain relatively high amounts of essential trace elements, such as zinc, which is essential for certain enzyme functions. Manganese, copper and selenium are present in Porphyra and essential for the metabolic processes of organisms.
Cyamopsis Gum Other names: Dietary Fiber, Guar Flour, Guar Gum.
Guar Gum is a water soluble fiber that acts as a bulk forming laxative, and as such, it is claimed to be effective in promoting regular bowel movements and relieve constipation and chronic related functional bowel ailments; such as diverticulosis, Crohn's disease, colitis and irritable bowel syndrome, among others. The increased mass in the intestines stimulates the movement of waste and toxins from the system, which is particularly helpful for good colon health, because it speeds the removal of waste and bacteria from the bowel and colon. In addition, because it is soluble, it is also able to absorb toxic substances (bacteria) that cause infective diarrhea.
Several studies have found significant decreases in human serum cholesterol levels following guar gum ingestion. These decreases are thought to be a function of its high soluble fiber content.
Guar gum is of interest with regards to both weight loss and diabetic diets. It is a thermogenic substance.[11] Moreover, its low digestibility lends its use in recipes as a filler, which can help to provide satiety, or slow the digestion of a meal, thus lowering the glycemic index of that meal. In the late 1980s, guar gum was used and heavily promoted in several weight loss products. The USFDA eventually recalled these due to reports of esophageal blockage from insufficient fluid intake. For this reason, guar gum is no longer approved for use in over-the-counter weight loss aids in the United States. Moreover, a meta-analysis that combined the results of 11 randomized controlled trials found that guar gum supplements were not effective in reducing body weight.[12]
Two Japanese studies using rats showed that guar gum supports increased absorption of calcium occurring in the colon instead of in the small intestine. This means that lesser amounts of calcium may be consumed in order to obtain its recommended minimum daily intake (RDI). This has obvious implications for reduced calorie diets, since calcium rich dairy products tend to be high in calories.
However, guar gum is also capable of reducing the absorbability of dietary minerals (other than calcium), when foods and/or nutritional supplements containing them are consumed concomitantly with it. However, this is less of a concern with guar gum than with various nonsoluble dietary fibers.
Some studies have found guar gum to improve dietary glucose tolerance. Research has revealed that the water soluble fiber in it may help people with diabetes by binding with glucose in the gastrointestinal tract, thus preventing its absorption.
It also functions as an adjuvant for diabetic drugs that are sometimes employed for the treatment of noninsulin dependent diabetes. The effect is to help lower blood glucose levels. Thus, diabetic patients who are taking drugs should consult their doctors before supplementing with guar gum.
Guarana Guarana seed is a potent South American energy food with numerous health benefits.
For thousands of years, native Amazonians have used the seed extract of the guarana berry to help maintain stamina and physical endurance.
This herbal tonic has also traditionally been used to assist in the relief of various ailments such as stress and nervous tension, weight control, headaches and hangovers, and even menstrual pain.
Guarana seed extract is great for maintaining stamina.
Main Actions
- Stimulates
- Increases energy
- Dilates blood vessls
- Increases urination
- Soothes nerves
- Fights free radicals
- Relieves pain
- Enhances memory
- Mildly laxative
- Increases libido
- Kills bacteria
- Thins blood
The uses of this plant by the Amerindians predates the discovery of Brazil. South American Indian tribes (especially the Guaranis, from whence the plant's name is derived) dry and roast the seeds and mix them into a paste with water. They then use it much the same way as chocolate - to prepare various foods, drinks, and medicines. The rainforest tribes have used guarana mainly as a stimulant and as an astringent (drying agent) for treating chronic diarrhea. It is often taken during periods of fasting to tolerate dietary restrictions better. Botanist James Duke cites past and present tribal uses in the rainforest: as a preventive for arteriosclerosis; as an effective cardiovascular drug; as an pain-reliever, astringent, stimulant, and tonic used to treat diarrhea, hypertension, fever, migraine, neuralgia, and dysentery.
Over centuries the many benefits of guarana have been passed on to explorers and settlers. European researchers began studying guarana (in France and Germany) in the 1940s, finding that Indians' uses to cure fevers, headaches, cramps, and as an energy tonic were well-founded. Guarana is used and well known for its stimulant and thermogenic action. In the United States today, guarana is reputed to increase mental alertness, fight fatigue, and increase stamina and physical endurance. Presently, guarana is taken daily as a health tonic by millions of Brazilians, who believe it helps overcome heat fatigue, combats premature aging, detoxifies the blood, and is useful for intestinal gas, obesity, dyspepsia, fatigue, and arteriosclerosis. The plant, considered an adaptogen, is also used for heart problems, fever, headaches, migraine, neuralgia, and diarrhea.
Guarana has been used in body care products for its tonifying and astringent properties, and to reduce cellulite. In Peru the seed is used widely for neuralgia, diarrhea, dysentery, fatigue, obesity, cellulite, heart problems, hypertension, migraine, and rheumatism.
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