Hoodia

                 Hoodia  is a cactus-like plant that grows primarily in the semi-deserts of South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, and Angola.In the last few years, hoodoo has been heavily marketed for weight loss and has become immensely popular.

Although there has always been a demand for diet pills, after the ban on the herb ephedrine, the market was particularly ripe for the next new diet pill.

Much of hoodoo's popularity stems from claims that the San Bushmen of the Kalahari desert relied on hoodoo for thousands of years to ward off hunger and thirst during long hunting trips. They were said to have cut off the stem and eat the bitter-tasting plant.

Hoodoo gardenia grows in clumps of green upright stems. Although it is often called a cactus because it resembles one, hoodoo is actually a succulent plant.

It takes about five years before hoodoo gardenia's pale purple flowers appear and the plant can be harvested.

There are over 13 types of hoodoo. The only active ingredient identified so far is a steroidal glycoside that has been called "p57". Currently, only hoodoo gardenia is thought to contain p57.

Anyone who has tried unsuccessfully to lose weight will attest that it is nearly impossible if you are hungry all the time. So many diets leave us feeling starved or deprived.

Hoodia Gordonii is a potent and natural appetite suppressant. Among its noted effects are reduced hunger, increased feelings of fullness, increased alertness and a general feeling of wellbeing.

Not only has it been proven to be completely safe, it contains no stimulants, such as Ephedra or caffeine, which work by increasing metabolism causing such side effects as high blood pressure, elevated heart rate, nervousness and jitters.

It works by releasing a chemical compound similar to glycogen, or blood sugar, but 10,000 times stronger, to the part of the brain responsible for hunger and thirst signals.

 This area, the hypothalamus, is tricked into believing you have eaten enough, which essentially stops you from thinking about food.