The best 12 herbs for weight loss

Weight loss can be a worry to many people. It shouldn’t be when you have herbs that are effective and can aid weight loss in your spice cabinets.

Many herbs and spices have shown abilities to boost metabolism, reduce appetite, stimulate fat break down and many other weight loss processes.

Some of the herbs that can boost weight loss are cayenne, black pepper, oregano, turmeric, ginseng and many others that will be discussed in this article.

What are the best weight loss herbs?

 

1. Cayenne.

Cayenne can suppress your appetite, speed up your metabolism and helps you to burn calories with all in which you will lose weight.

Capsaicin an active compound in cayenne that makes it hot has many health benefits and it aids weight loss.

Eating cayenne in meals can raise your metabolic rate. The metabolic rate is the speed at which our body turns food into energy. With a faster metabolism, your body is more likely to convert food to energy other than being stored as fat.

Eating a spicy meal causes your body temperature to rise burning more calories as it tries to cool down.

Cayenne can suppress your appetite, speed up your metabolism and helps you to burn calories with all in which you will lose weight.

2. Black Pepper.

Black pepper a common spice got from the dried fruit piper nigrum, a flowering vine native to India has many health benefits.

A powerful compound piperine that supplies pungent flavor in black pepper has weight loss effects.

Eating black pepper prevents the formation of new fat cells, boosts metabolism and prevents oxidative stress-induced in obesity. Black pepper can be added to salads, vegetables or used as an alternative to chili as hot spice.

3. Oregano

Oregano is a perennial herb belonging to the same family as mint, basil, thyme and rosemary.

Carvacrol an active compound in oregano can suppress the process of fat tissue formation and accumulation which leads to weight loss.

A study on mice feeding on a high diet, it was discovered that mice fed on meals with oregano lost weight compared to those whose meals lacked oregano.

However, research on oregano for weight loss is still limited and human-based studies are still lacking.

4. Ginseng.

Ginseng a herb mostly used in traditional Chinese medicine can stimulate weight loss.

It is known to be a natural appetite suppressant and shows reductions in body weight. Ginseng also boosts metabolism in the body thus burning more calories.

Ginseng can treat stress, diabetes, lower cholesterol and lower blood sugar levels which are all contributors to weight gain.

5. Turmeric.

Turmeric has a lot of health benefits of which weight loss is included too. It is a flowering plant belonging to Curcuma longa of the ginger family whose roots are used in cooking.

Most of the health properties are attributed to curcumin which is an active compound in turmeric.

Curcumin promotes weight loss by reducing fat tissue growth, curbs weight regains and boosts metabolism.

However, turmeric has is not a miracle weight loss herb as it is more effective with other benefits like having anti-inflammatory properties, lowering the risk of heart disease among others and with weight loss to a less extent.

6. Cinnamon.

It is an aromatic spice made from the inner bark of trees in the Cinnamomum genus. Cinnamon is rich in antioxidants and plenty of health benefits 0f which boosting weight loss is included.

Cinnamon affects weight loss as it can decrease blood sugar, appetite and hunger.

A compound in cinnamon can mimic the effects of insulin helping the bloodstream to transport sugar to be used as fuel instead of being stored as fat.

Cinnamon is also able to suppress certain digestive enzymes to slow the breakdown of carbs and you will not get hungry quicker.

However, more research on the weight loss effects of cinnamon directly to weight is needed.

7. Aloe vera.

Aloe Vera promotes weight loss in quite many ways.

It boosts metabolism which enables the body to burn more calories and burn fat. Aloe Vera is attributed to vitamin B which can convert stored fat in the body into energy.

The ability of aloe Vera to aid digestion also helps in weight loss since it prevents unhealthy gut that is linked to weight gain.

8. Fenugreek.

Fenugreek is an herb similar to cloves and native to the Mediterranean region, southern Europe and Asia.

It can help to control appetite and reduce food intake thus fewer calories.

Taking fenugreek increases the feeling of fullness and reduced hunger. The result is consuming fewer calories which can be easily burned by the body thus weight loss.

9. Ginger.

Ginger, a spice got from the rhizome of a flowering plant zingiber officinale has many health benefits and of which weight loss is included.

For weight loss, ginger can boost fat burning and increase metabolism which speeds up the calorie-burning process.

It also can reduce appetite hence less food intake and fewer calories consumed.

10. Caralluma Fimbriata.

Caralluma Fimbriata is a popular edible cactus from India which is used in many diet pills.

It can increase levels of serotonin which is a neurotransmitter that directly affects your appetite.

These appetite-suppressing abilities make Caralluma Fimbriata an effective weight loss herb. Reduced appetite means less food consumed and thus fewer calories which leads to weight loss.

11. Cumin

Cumin is made from the dried seeds of the Cuminum cyminum a flowering plant of the parsley family.

It has many health benefits like promoting proper digestion, improving blood cholesterol, it is rich in iron and the many health other benefits of cumin is the ability to accelerate weight loss and fat burning.

12. Dandelions.

Dandelions are flowering plants with bright yellow flowers and grow in many parts of the world. From root to flower, dandelions are highly nutritious with vitamins, minerals and fiber.

They also slow down the digestive process which ensures that you feel full for longer periods. This helps you avoid unnecessary cravings.

The potassium in dandelions can increase frequent urination which can help you lose water weight and prevent water retention.

Dandelions can also promote fat breakdown in the body helping to burn fat much faster.

What herbs speed up your metabolism?

A faster metabolism helps the body burn more calories. The metabolic rate is the speed at which your body can turn sugar into energy.

Various herbs can boost the speed at which your body can turn sugar into energy and they include;

• Turmeric,
• Cayenne pepper
• Cumin
• Ginger
• Rosemary
• Black pepper
• Cardamom

How to use herbs safely for weight loss

Herbs and spices add aroma as a seasoning in salads and meals.

Most herbs and spices are best in cooking and for achieving weight loss, numerous spices and herbs can be used at once while cooking or blended into curry powder. Herbs and spices like turmeric, ginger, cumin and black pepper are some of the most used while cooking.

Herbs are also drunk in the form of herbal teas. These tend to improve digestion while accelerating weight loss. Herbal teas like ginger, tea, dandelion tea and other teas which will be discussed later in this article can aid weight loss.

Herbs for weight loss can also be used as supplements which are safe as long as you don’t go beyond the recommended dosage. If you are taking herbs for weight loss in the form of supplements, it is important to check with your medical personnel before starting the use of supplements.

Furthermore, if you have underlying health conditions or taking medications, it is a wise decision to consult with your doctor as well.

If you happen to experience negative side effects or food allergy symptoms, stop the use of herbs and immediately talk to a qualified doctor.

Can drinking herbal tea help you lose weight?

Drinking herbal teas hash many health benefits like improving moods, better digestion and of course weight loss among many other benefits.

Herbal teas to lose weight and belly fat.

1. Green tea.

It is one of the most well-known and commonly taken tea. Green tea has many health benefits and is one of the most effective weight loss teas.

Green tea is high in catechins that boost metabolism and increase fat burning.

You can read more about green tea and weight loss in an article we have written here.

2. Black tea.

Black tea undergoes fermentation, a process that allows it to change chemically increasing its caffeine content.

It helps in increasing weight loss and reducing waistline circumference.

3. Dandelion tea.

With weight loss abilities in dandelions, dandelion tea is a sure-fire for weight loss too.

Dandelion tea contains fewer calories and it can help you lose weight. It increases your urination frequency helping you lose water weight while preventing water rendition in the body.

It is also able to promote fat breakdown which plays an important role in weight loss.

4. Peppermint tea.

Peppermint tea can suppress appetite helping you avoid unnecessary cravings. It is also able to boost metabolism thus burning more calories.

5. Oolong tea.

It is one of the best Chinese teas for weight loss. The chinese make it from leaves, buds and stems of the camellia Sinensis plant.

Drinking oolong tea can aid in weight loss. The presence of catechins in oolong increases the body’s metabolism. Furthermore, it reduces cholesterol and the concertation of fats in the body which are major weight loss processes.

Other herbal teas for weight loss

• Rose tea.
• White tea.
• Rooibos tea
• Star anise tea

Read more: The best slimming herbal teas.

Can taking herbs be harmful?

Herbs have many health benefits like boosting immunity, healing, diseases, weight loss and many others. They are used in many drugs and supplements to provide good health to the body.

However, herbs can be a danger to the body with side effects, allergic reactions and serious body failures.

Poorly grown herbs can cause serious damages to the consumer’s bodies as they may contain toxic chemicals or heavy metals that cause harm to human life.

Getting herbs from sources with herbs that have been grown using poor methods like the use of sludge can cause problems.

Certain people tend to have allergic reactions to some herbs and these often cause harm to them. The solution is avoiding herbs that can cause serious body allergic reactions and seeking medical attention in case of allergies.

Herbs can also be harmful if they are interfering with your medication. For people taking medications of any sort, they should inquire with the doctor to see if the herbs you will be taking will not interfere with your medication.

The bottom line;

Taking herbs alone will not be effective for weight loss. Weight loss involves adapting a good weight loss diet and exercising to burn those extra calories.

Always follow the dosage and directions of weight loss supplements to avoid overdose and related side effects.

Eating herbs in food or taken in the tea will not cause an overdose but can cause allergic reactions and medical interference.

 

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