You’ve read about natural herbs for weight loss and how they work to help you achieve your desired results. It’s time now to learn which are the best herbs for weight loss.
Of course, you do not want to overlook spices that help with weight loss. There are a few spices that have proven to be excellent for burning fat.
What’s great about using spices and herbs for weight loss it that it does not require much effort.
Keep in mind though that spices and herbs for weight loss only work when used with a healthy diet and exercise. Herbs help enhance your other weight loss efforts.
Green Tea
Green tea leaves are some of the most useful and healthy botanicals for all types of uses.
Green tea contains catechins, which are a class of antioxidants that help boost metabolism and burn fat.
Green tea alone will not melt fat, but, when used as part of a healthy diet and exercise regimen it can improve weight loss efforts.
There have been several studies, including one published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in 2005 that showed that individuals who drank green tea as part of a sensible weight loss plan lost an average of 2.4 pounds more weight than those who did not drink green tea. 
How to Use Green Tea for Weight Loss
Not only is green tea a very effective herb for weight loss it is also very versatile in the ways you can use it.
You can brew a cup of green tea and drink it as a warm drink in winter or cool it down for a refreshing drink in summer. Freshly brewed green tea is always best.
Use green tea powder to flavor your dishes when cooking. You can use green tea in any dish but it tastes especially delicious in soups, pasta, and marinara sauces.
Take green tea in supplement pill form. The suggested dose for green tea supplements is 200 to 400 mg daily, but as with any other supplement, it is always a good idea to check with your doctor first.
Gymnema Sylvestre
Gymnema Sylvestre is an interesting herb is derived from a plant that grows wild in India and Africa.
It has the unique benefit of reducing the ability to taste sweets. This is due to the fact that Gymnema molecules are similar to glucose and so they satisfy taste bud receptors just as sugar would.
A study published in the Journal of Physiology & Behavior in 1983 showed that subjects who had ingested gymnema had lower rates of perception of sweetness. They also ate less sugary snacks as compared to the control subjects.
How To Use Gymnema Sylvestre for Weight Loss
Gymnema Sylvestre comes in table and capsule form. Recommended dose is 300 mg two to three times daily. It’s best to not go over this amount as high doses have been linked to low blood sugar.
Guggul
Guggul is an herbal medicine that is made from the sticky gum of various myrrh trees. It is commonly used in Ayurvedic medicine to help lower cholesterol, relieve joint pain and help with weight loss.
While its actual effectiveness for weight loss is speculative, a 1999 study conducted at the University of Nebraska and Beth Israel Medical Center in New York City found evidence that it does help. Subjects who took 750 mg of Guggul every day and performed strength and aerobic training 3 times per week for a total of 6 weeks lost about 6 pounds. But, the subjects who did not take Guggul and only worked out lost only ½ to 1 pound.
Dr. John Douillard, Ph.D., director of the LifeSpa School of Ayurveda, says that this herbal supplement helps the body metabolize fat and also increases thyroid hormone levels by boosting thyroid function.
How To Use Guggul for Weight Loss
Gugul can be purchased in supplement form and the recommended dose is 500 mg, 3 times per day for 3 months.
Psyllium
Psyllium is a soluble fiber that is made from seeds of the Plantago Psyllium plant.
Its primary function is to help cleanse the body of waste products, but, it also has some real benefits for weight loss, and also for keeping blood sugar levels in balance.
Fiber helps with weight management primarily because it is filling.You feel full faster so you eat less.
Also regular intake of fiber helps to keep blood sugar levels stable, which eliminates crazy cravings for unhealthy foods and erratic eating.
Regular intake of psyllium fiber can be one of the best tools in your arsenal of weapons to battle body fat.
How To Use Psyllium for Weight Loss
Psyllium comes in powder form that needs to be mixed with water and taken as directed. Typically it is best to take it before meals.
Reishi Mushrooms
Reishi mushrooms grow out in the wild on fallen tree logs, and are often used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for their perceived ability to fight fatigue, increase energy and immunity and to build strength.
While there is no direct relationship between fat burning and Reishi mushrooms, it is beneficial to feel strong and energetic when losing weight. It allows one to stick with a regular exercise plan, and since fatigue often disguises itself as hunger, it can help in that way too.
How To Use Reishi Mushrooms for Weight Loss
Reishi mushrooms come in both supplement pill form and liquid drops. The recommended dose is either 10 to 20 drops of the liquid or one 600 mg capsule daily.
You should not use Reishi mushrooms if you have an allergy to mushrooms, and using them with or after coffee can cause jitters.
Best Spices for Weight Loss
Cayenne Pepper
Chili peppers contain capsaicin, which, is well known for fat burning. Several studies have shown that daily intake of 28 grams of cayenne pepper added to meals helps to curb hunger, reduce calorie intake and also increase metabolism to burn more calories throughout the day.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon is a spice derived from the inner bark of several trees from the genus Cinnamomum. While Cinnamomum verum is sometimes considered to be “true cinnamon”, most of the cinnamon found on your local store shelves is derived from related species, which are also referred to as “cassia” to distinguish them from “true cinnamon”.
Cinnamon is an herb that has been used in ancient medicine to treat a variety of ailments, including, gastrointestinal issues, urinary infections, colds and flu, among others.
Cinnamon is not a weight loss plan, but, an aid that helps to improve and enhance results of a healthy diet and exercise plan.
It is also rich in iron, calcium, fiber and manganese, all of which, are essential nutrients the body needs.
Studies have shown that it can help people with Type 2 Diabetes metabolize sugar better.
Richard Anderson at the US Department of Agriculture’s Human Nutrition Research Center in Beltsville, Maryland discovered that cassia Cinnamon improves the body’s ability to metabolize glucose that controls blood sugar levels and this helps to balance the appetite to enhance weight loss efforts.
Cinnamon contains MHCP, which, is both an anti-oxidant and a flavonoid that increases fat cell’s responsiveness to insulin.
According to James A. Duke, Ph.D., a botanist retired from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, just 1/8 of a teaspoon of cinnamon can make insulin efficiency three times more effective.
Since high blood sugar levels increase the storage of fat by the body, cinnamon can help to prevent that and enable one to lose more weight.
Cinnamon is also sweet and can go a long way to satisfying one’s sweet tooth therefore furthering weight loss efforts even more.
Cinnamon also helps to delay the passing of food from the stomach into the intestine, which, makes you feel full longer and therefore you eat less.
How To Use Cinnamon for Weight Loss
Cinnamon can be used in various ways. It can be added to herbal tea or coffee, sprinkled on whole grain toast, cereal or oatmeal. It can also be sprinkled on fresh fruit of all kinds, like, apples, peaches, and pears.
Cinnamon supplements are available, but, those that have Type 2 diabetes may need to adjust any other treatments being used when using them. They can also interact with certain antibiotics, blood thinners, heart medicines, and others. Always ask your doctor before taking cinnamon supplements.
There are no known side effects from cinnamon, though some might be allergic.
In very high quantities, cinnamon that contains coumarin may be toxic especially for those with liver problems. Cancer patients, especially those with hormone effected conditions, like breast cancer, should not take cinnamon supplements. Also, they are not recommended for children or during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Ginger
Ginger or ginger root comes from the plant called Zingiber officinale, and is a member of a plant family that includes other popular spices, like turmeric, and cardamom.
Ginger is believed to be helpful in managing belly fat, which is caused by overeating, cortisol production, and not leading a healthy lifestyle.
While ginger can help, again, it is not a quick fix or answer to weight loss or fat burning. It is just a natural aid that can improve results when used in conjunction with a sensible diet and regular exercises.
The active ingredient in ginger is gingerols, and it can help weight loss efforts in various ways.
Reducing Appetite
The first way in which ginger aids weight loss is by reducing appetite through the regulation of blood sugars and serum cholesterol. In 2006 the British Journal of Nutrition noted that raw ginger helped to stabilize blood sugar, cholesterol and lipids.
Digestive Aid
According to Dr. Susan Brown, who authored the article Ten Steps To Better Digestion, drinking ginger tea helps with digestion.
Improved digestion means a faster absorption of essential body nutrients that make the body expend energy and therefore burn fat faster.
Reducing Cortisol Production
Ginger has been cited as a cortisol suppressant. Cortisol is a steroid hormone that is key in regulating energy and mobilization in the body. But, chronic stress can make cortisol levels rise so high that it contributes to an increase in belly fat, a visceral fat that is linked to serious risks of health complications and a recent study showed that it can shorten life expectancy in women.
Increased Energy
Ginger is regarded as a stimulant herb, and so it can increase energy levels much like caffeine. Increased energy facilitates stronger workouts, which, really improves weight loss.
Sound Nutrition
Ginger packs a ton of nutrients, including, fiber, B vitamins, vitamins A and C, iron, potassium and phosphorus. When the body receives proper nutrition on a daily basis, it makes one feel strong, healthy and well, which, can only improve weight loss efforts.
How To Use Ginger for Weight Loss
The University Of Maryland Medical Center recommends a dose of no more than 4 grams, or 2 teaspoons, of ginger daily. Pregnant women should not ingest more than 1 gram per day.
Improve digestion throughout the day by having a cup of ginger tea in the morning. Make extra to have it one hand throughout the day to increase energy, manage cortisol and improve weight loss efforts.
Ginger Tea Recipe
1. Heat 4 cups of water.
2. Put a small piece of peeled ginger in the pot and simmer for a few minutes.
3. Remove from the heat. Add fresh lemon juice to taste.
Always consult a doctor before ingesting larger amounts of ginger because it is contraindicated with certain medical conditions.
Mustard Seed
Mustard is made from seeds of certain plants, including those of the Brassica and Sinapis genera.
Mustard seed has several uses.
First it can be used as a spice. Second it is used as a condiment when the seeds are ground and mixed with a liquid. The seeds can also be used to make mustard oil.
And then there are also mustard greens that are a good source of fiber that keeps you full longer, and 1 cup of mustard greens provides 65% of daily recommended allowance of Vitamin C that supports immunity to keep you healthy and therefore in optimal shape for exercise.
How To Use Mustard Seed for Weight Loss
In aiding weight loss mustard is always a better condiment choice than fat laden mayonnaise, as it has a lot less calories, and no fat.
Another option is to use spicy mustard as it can also help to curb appetite and increase metabolism by drinking a glass of water mixed with spicy mustard before a meal. This will turn up body heat to rev metabolism and it also provides essential omega 3 fatty acids that stimulate fat burning.
Herbalists
Herbalism is a complex process that is best handled by professionals. Those trained in herbal remedies can help you determine which herbs and which herbal combinations are best for your needs and goals.
It is important to do proper research into herbs for weight loss support or for any other use before taking action because herbs can interact with other medications and some are very powerful so should be taken with caution.
There are also herbs that are toxic on their own, when taken in combination with other herbs or with certain medications.
A qualified herbalist or a holistic practitioner well versed in medicinal herbs can help ensure your safety and also its efficiency in any fat burning efforts.
Disclaimer: This information is not intended to serve as medical advice. Please consult your doctor before using any natural medication or if you experience any unusual symptoms. See Full Disclaimer here.
